“It’s a women’s-only group. That’s why we don’t like going, remember?”
“The fundraiser is co-ed.”
“Wait, why?”
“I guess they wanted to smell something other than Chanel,” I dryly reply.
She follows me into my room and sits on my bed while I slide on heels that will hurt by the end of the night, but this dress demands them. Meeting her eyes I see a suspicious smile. “Are you not telling me something?”
“Like what?” I shrug.
“You’re just wearing your most flattering peach dress that makes your skin glow and look even more sun kissed, with nude come-fuck-me heels, for the hell of it?”
“I just want to look nice.”
She bounces to standing. “Fundraiser means money. Co-ed means men with money. Is Tanner going?”
“How would I know? Nor do I care.”
Her eyes narrow. “You don’t?”
“Not at all.”
“Mmmhmm.”
I head out of the room, dipping back in to snatch my clutch bag off the dresser. Hannah laughs, following me. Neither of us are bringing jackets. It was over ninety degrees today so the night air will be the perfect temperature. The hall where the event is being held is half outdoors. Who likes carrying coats anyway?
“Emma, tell me why you’re pretending.”
Groaning, I lock up. “I’m glad I live alone now by the way.”
She pushes my shoulder. “You miss me as much as I miss you—stop it.”
“I miss you more, if we’re being honest.”
Together we stroll along the apartment building’s walkway, just like when we used to go to the clubs, picking up men. Dressed up, ready for fun. If tonight could be any.
“I don’t know if he’ll be there. I’m hoping he will and I’m hoping he won’t.” Off her look I sigh, “He hasn’t called me.”
“I figured you would have told me if he had.” Gently she wraps her arm around me while we stroll, kissing the side of my head. “If he doesn’t see your worth then he’s not worth you.”
A grateful smile tugs, but I really can’t think about him anymore or I will start selling my adrenaline to people at Starbucks, because this is stronger than their espresso. To get her off the subject I ask, “You should have invited Tobias, since men are allowed.”
She turns off her ringer and slides the phone away with a mischievous smile. “It’s healthy to disappear for a while. Makes him wonder what I’m up to. Have to keep their engines roaring, Emm, that’s the secret. You’ve seen his fights. Girls are screaming his name the entire time. If he gets bored his eyes will wander. He’s only human. I make sure that never happens.”
Frowning I round my car as she gets in the passenger side. “Are you stressed about that?”
“Not at all!” She lifts her long blonde hair up so the seatbelt can do its thing and not trap some. “It keeps me entertained, too. I love all of it. Being with him is exciting. I’ve never been with a man who made my blood race until I met him.”
“Tanner does that for me.”
Hannah’s head swings over and her eyes darken as she realizes I’m hurting. “Oh Emma, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so glib about it. I didn’t realize how you felt about him until now.”
My eyes go misty and I take a deep breath. “I might have pushed him away.”
“No!”
“I might’ve!”
Hannah’s head tilts. “I’ve never seen you get attached to a guy before.”
Wiping my eyes I fiddle with the music for something to do. “Andy would agree with you. Except he’ll never talk to me again, I’m sure.”
The seatbelt is the only thing keeping her from flying into the air. “What?! You and Andy? How did that happen? Oh my God!”
Covering my mouth I groan, “I forgot you don’t know!”
Hannah turns off the playlist. “Talk!”
Out of options I tell her about how it began, after I joined her and Sofia Sol in Florida. Hannah’s pale eyes widen. “He was with Sofia first though! And she masterminded the whole thing?”
“Crazy huh?”
She grins, “You’re so naughty!”
“I’m not as sweet as you think I am. Anyway, since Andy manages Tobias, when you guys moved back to Atlanta he came over one night. Called first, of course. After that, whenever Tobias had to fly to some fight, and Andy came here from Florida to leave with him—he’d stay with me.” Hannah gasps. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t interested in making it a public thing. And…that is what ended it.”
A knowing look lights her pale eyes, and her voice changes. “You didn’t want to invite him to a Family BBQ.”
I slowly shake my head, holding her gaze. “I guess that’s the litmus test. If we want them to meet everyone.”
“Especially Grams,” Hannah smiles. “I know I was shaking when I brought Tobias over. He can be hulkish sometimes, but she loved him. It felt so good to get her approval.”
We go quiet, staring at each other. “Yep. That’s what we all want, I guess.”
“Poor Andy,” Hannah sighs.
A s we walk through the parking lot for the event space, Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jaxson give us appreciative once-overs from the sidewalk under twinkle lights.
Aunt Meagan is adjusting Uncle Jeremy’s tie, their bodies close together.
Uncle Jason and Aunt Sarah hold hands, about to head in with the group when she looks over and cups her free hand to call out, “You two look stunning!”
Hannah and I give them all hugs, telling them how great they look, too. I whisper to Uncle Jaxson, “I can’t believe she got you to show up!”
He smirks, suntanned face still handsome in his later years. His work on the ranch keeps him in shape. “When she told me she wouldn’t come home tonight if I didn’t drive her, she had me at her mercy.”
Rachel mutters, “As if you’ve ever been at my mercy. Hopefully one day,” which makes him laugh.
Aunt Jamie pops out of the door, and waves us in to help. Mom must be inside. Overflowing pots filled with planted flowers line our path as the five of us head in.
Hannah asks Jeremy
