Page 4 of Book Club Confidential

“Anything.”

“You’ve been married before,” Hallie said.

Tessa’s lips turned down in distaste. She’d married her college sweetheart, then divorced him within a year. The courtship lasted three times the length of the marriage. It wasn’t her greatest achievement. “Yet I only think about it when you bring it up.”

“How did you know when the spark died?” Hallie asked.

“I think once you ask that question, the moment has already come,” she admitted. “That’s why I’ll never center my life around a man again. It’s my life. What could a guy possibly add to it?”

“Sex,” Hallie said.

Tessa hiked a brow and pointed to the book between them. Hadn’t Hallie just implied she and Bryce were bored in bed?

Kate scoffed. “You’re both awful. Having a partner is more than just convenient hot sex. How about joy?” she asked. “Or companionship and friendship? Not to mention someone to help shoulder your burdens.”

Tessa frowned. “You guys already do that for me. Besides, I have excellent shoulders. Broad. Strong.” She patted one as if in proof. “Having a husband doesn’t guarantee he’ll do anything to make life easier.” She’d learned that quickly and bailed. “Statistically, the opposite is true.”

Kate sighed. “Well, I think we all have a life partner out there somewhere, and I’d like to find mine.”

Mona returned to take drink orders before Tessa could ask about Kate’s most recent invitation to coffee. She dated actively and consistently, always on the hunt for true love. Tessa hoped, for Kate’s sake, she’d find a guy worth her time soon.

“That’s one French 75,” Mona recounted, pointing first at Kate, then to Hallie and Tessa. “A dirty soda with coconut syrup and lime, and one champagne cocktail, on the house.”

“Can we also put in an order for some appetizers?” Hallie asked. She didn’t wait for an answer. “Bacon-wrapped figs, sweet-and-spicy crostini, and the caprese bruschetta.”

Mona tipped an appreciative nod in Hallie’s direction. “You won’t be disappointed.” Then, they turned and left.

Kate watched Hallie, a contemplative expression on her face. “I’m sure the spark will come back,” she said. “The pressure from your future mother-in-law to pull off a perfect wedding must be a bit of a mood killer for both of you.”

“Maybe Bryce just isn’t sparky,” Hallie suggested. “He’s a good guy, a hard worker, and he’s dedicated to his family, the company, and me. I can hardly fault him for a single shortcoming. But he is the definition of vanilla. Maybe vanilla has to be okay with me for the rest of my life.”

Kate formed her mouth into a little O. “Hallie Jean Montgomery, what on earth did you say?” She set a palm on her collarbone, cheeks red, probably searching for her proverbial Southern pearls. “You must not settle. Maybe Bryce is open to suggestions.”

“Pull up the dictionary,” Hallie said. “I’ll show you.” She pretended to search on her phone for vanilla’s definition.

Tessa laughed, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders.

“Bryce is not the Merriam-Webster definition of vanilla,” Kate said.

Hallie looked up, pensive. “Okay, then search for missionary.”

Tessa’s head fell back as she cackled.

“Pardon,” a male voice interrupted.

A man with thick sandy-brown hair and a nice smile looked down at them. He wore the same uniform as the staff, but he hadn’t come with their drinks.

Maybe this was Mona’s boss.

“I’m truly sorry to interrupt,” he continued in a lightly British accent, “but it’s been busy tonight, and I wanted to stop over before I missed my opportunity.” He cast a perfunctory look at Hallie and Tessa before his cool gray eyes returned to Kate. “You’re MC Kate?”

“Just Kate,” she said slowly, dismissing her social media handle and accentuating her natural drawl. A lifetime in the Deep South had fine-tuned the lilt. And the endless etiquette courses and cotillions had perfected her wide-eyed I-declare expression that generally brought men to their knees.

The man cleared his throat. “I’m Sam. It’s lovely to meet you. I hope it’s not too forward, but I wonder if I can take a selfie with you?”

Kate’s smile grew, and her posture straightened. “Of course.”

Hallie rose and extended an arm in Sam’s direction. “I’ve got it.”