She snorts. “This town survives on pie and speculation, babe. What’s going on?”
I let out a heavy breath and take the plunge. “Wayne got an email last night.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “What kind of email?”
“The anonymous ‘you deserve to know the truth’ kind.” I twist my fingers together. “It said I was fired from my last job for inappropriate conduct. That there were complaints. That I was a liability around kids.”
Millie’s expression hardens instantly. “That’s bullshit, right?”
“I know it is,” I say quickly. “But Wayne has Evan. Of course he has to check and make certain.”
“Did he believe you?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “He said he did.”
“But?” she prompts gently.
“But he still had to ask.” My throat tightens. “And I don’t blame him. I don’t. But when he asked me, it felt like I was standing on thin ice. Like if I made a wrong move the ice would crack, and....”
Millie nods slowly. “Okay. Back up. Do you know who’d send something like that to Wayne?”
I hesitate.
“Max,” I say finally.
Her jaw sets. “Your ex.”
“I think he might’ve started the rumors at the school. The timing lines up. He threatened me when I left him. I showed Wayne all the texts Max sent me.” I pull out my phone and show her.
Millie’s eyes flash. “The guy’s a walking red flag.”
“I blocked him,” I say. “But I don’t know if he’s done.”
She studies me. “And this is hitting extra hard because…?”
I laugh weakly. “Because nothing in my life is simple right now.”
Millie leans in. “Define not simple.”
I glance toward Evan, who’s fully committed to chocolate destruction at the window table.
Lowering my voice, I say, “Things are… complicated at home.”
“With Wayne?”
“With Wayne,” I confirm. Then I add, “And Fletcher. And Rex.”
Millie blinks.
“Pause,” she says. “Rewind. I know you went on a date with Fletcher, but Rex…?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this.” I lean closer so no one else can hear me. “But we had… a night together. All four of us.”
Her mouth falls open. “You did not.”
“I did,” I whisper. “All of them. At once.”
Millie slaps a hand over her heart. “June Hartley.”