“Stupid. Incredibly stupid. Martin dumped me. He said I was too controlling, if you can believe it. He wants to be with someone more delicate. I should have broken his legs.”
Perhaps proving his point, Lexi thought, although she was smart enough not to speak the words.
“How did this happen?” Dana demanded. “Guys don’t leave me. I leave them. Especially guys like Martin.”
“They’re all like Martin,” Izzy said from the club chair. She was using nail polish to paint daisies on her already pink toes. “You need a new type. You don’t find him interesting or challenging. I’m betting he wasn’t even that good in bed. Come on. Admit it. You were done with him weeks ago.”
“I don’t want anyone exciting. I’m very comfortable with a safe, easy relationship.”
“The code words for boring,” Izzy said in a singsong voice. “Very, very boring.”
“Can I kill her?” Dana asked, looking at Lexi. “It would be quick.”
“You know you can’t do that.”
“Oh, but I can.”
“You know you shouldn’t.”
Dana slumped back on the sofa. “You’re right. But she’s annoying me.”
“Maybe because she’s right. Everyone hates to hear the truth. Especially you.”
Dana closed her eyes. “What the hell does that mean?”
Lexi looked at Skye who nodded.
“You know we love you,” Skye began.
Dana groaned. “Which is just a way to make yourself feel better about telling me a bunch of stuff you know I don’t want to hear.”
“You keep picking the wrong guy,” Skye went on. “They’re all Martin.”
“Go away,” Dana said, her eyes still closed. “I’m sorry I asked you over.”
“No, you’re not,” Lexi said, patting her friend’s arm. “You love us and we love you, but Skye’s right. You’ve got to stop dating the same tedious little men.”
Dana opened her eyes. “Did I mention I was in the mood to kill someone? You are so getting on my last nerve.”
“You should come with me to Mexico this summer,” Izzy said. “I’m going to do some cave diving.”
Skye shuddered. “Are you insane? You’ll not only be in a small, dark space, but hey, you could drown at the same time. What a thrill.”
Izzy grinned. “I like the thrills.”
“Why do they all have to be deadly?” Lexi asked. “Can’t you just ride a roller coaster or something?”
Izzy wrinkled her nose. “I want the rush.”
“How can you paint daisies on your toenails and then want to go cave diving?” Dana asked.
“I have unexplored depths.”
“Like cave diving,” Lexi muttered, thinking there wasn’t enough money on the planet to get her to do something like that. Just thinking about being underwater in a cave was enough to send her screaming into the night.
At least it was a distraction that kept her from wondering about the woman who was suing her, and her recent conversation with her father. While she planned to tell her sisters what was going on, this wasn’t the time or place.
“I can’t believe he left me,” Dana muttered as she opened her eyes and drank more of her margarita. “
“Which isn’t a healthy pattern,” Skye said.
“You never really cared about him,” Lexi pointed out. “You’re pissed but you’re not hurt.”
Dana glared at her. “Pissed doesn’t feel very good right now. With a big scoop of rejection on the side. I’m the best thing that ever happened to that wimpy toad. How could he do this?”
“Because you weren’t the one,” Izzy said, looking up from her toes. “Seriously, Dana, you’ve got to try someone different. Aren’t you tired of this pattern?”
Lexi waited for the explosion but Dana surprised her by ruffling her short hair, then nodding slowly. “Maybe.”
“So try somebody different next time. Take a chance. It’s not like you to act like you’re scared.”
Dana’s eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”
Izzy was apparently fearless when it came to more than cave diving and sharks. “That you’re scared of a real relationship, so you pick guys like Martin.”
Lexi nodded. “You know she’s right. At least branch out a little and see what happens.”
Dana glared at them, then pointed at Skye. “Don’t you start. I could take all three of you.”
“Not that drunk,” Skye said calmly.
“You need someone who can keep you in line,” Izzy said.
“You’re back on my kill list,” Dana muttered.
“You know what I mean. You need someone who will go toe to toe with you, and I know just the guy.”
“Who?” Lexi asked, intrigued. She couldn’t imagine a guy strong enough to take on Dana and determined enough to break through her emotional barriers.
“Mitch Cassidy.”
Lexi looked at Skye, who was obviously struggling not to show any emotion.
“Skye used to date him,” Lexi said.
Izzy shrugged. “Decades ago. She dumped him for Ray.” She glanced at Skye. “You’re not still in love with Mitch, are you?”
“Of course not. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“See,” Izzy said, looking pleased. “You have permission from the ex.”
“He’s a SEAL, right? Aren’t they into underwater stuff?” Dana said, her words starting to slur a little. “You should date him.”
“No. He’s not my type, and even if he was, he and Skye got naked together. Skye and I are sisters. There’s something weird about the whole thing. Besides, Mitch and I are friends, nothing more.”
“While it’s an interesting idea,” Lexi said. “It’s not exactly practical. Mitch hasn’t been home in years. How would he and Dana hook up?”
“He’s back.”
Lexi happened to be looking at Skye so she saw her sister’s color drain, then watched as she quickly bent down to adjust her shoes. Or was she just trying to hide her face?
“Since when?” Lexi asked.
“It’s been a couple of weeks. He’s in D.C., but he’ll be home soon.”
Skye straightened. “On leave?”
Izzy capped the nail polish. “You really didn’t keep in touch with him, did you?”
“And you did?”
“Yes. He was my friend, Skye. Just because you broke his heart doesn’t mean he and I stopped talking.”
“Of course not.” The words were right but Skye still looked shocked.
“He’s out of the navy. He was with his team in Afghanistan. There was an explosion. He lost part of his leg. He’s in rehab right now, but he’ll be back soon. Permanently.” She turned to Dana. “He’s a war hero. Very tough. I think you’d like him. He’s really good-looking.”
“How much of his leg?” Skye asked, her voice a whisper.
“I don’t know. Part of it.” Izzy blew on her toes. “He was the best. I had such a crush on him, but he only had eyes for Skye. He totally loved her and then she dumped him.”
Skye stood. “Stop saying that. It wasn’t like that. There were things you can’t understand. I didn’t have a choice.” She covered her mouth with her hand and ran toward the bathroom.
Izzy looked confused. “What did I say?”
“I’m not sure Skye’s as over Mitch as she wants us to believe,” Lexi said. “At the very least, she’s feeling guilty about what happened.”
Dana set her glass on the coffee table. “I don’t think this guy is a good idea. Too many complications.”
“I wish I could date him,” Izzy said with a sigh. “He looks like he would be great in bed.”
“There’s more to a relationship than sex,” Lexi told her.
Both Izzy and Dana grinned. “Is that your way of saying Cruz isn’t all that in bed?” Dana asked.
