“I don’t have heartbreak.” Hannah’s defense rolls in strong.
Josie arches her brow at the evidence. “I guess if you’re lying, I can lie.”
Hope clears her throat, rubbing her protruding belly with one hand. “What she’s trying to say is you’ve always been our rock, the sister we can lean on.”
“But now, it’s your turn.” Natalie’s fingertips press into my arms with a silent reassurance. “Take these thirties to chase your dreams and do the things you’ve put off. Live for you.”
“You’ve more than earned it,” Hannah agrees. “And we’ve got your back. Always.”
If anyone could make me teary-eyed, it would be my sisters, but then Josie opens her mouth and ruins it all.
“Which means sleep with Hart Wilde.”
We all groan.
“She is a ‘wild’ one.” Josie tugs on the sash. “It’s time to take action.”
“I knew we shouldn’t have put her in charge of anything custom.” Hannah straightens the sash. “She has no limits.”
“You should have seen the tension between them tonight.” Josie whistles. “Even Faye and Wilma jumped on the Jart boat.”
Natalie shakes her head. “That’s a terrible couple’s name.”
“Harde?” Josie offers. “Since he’s always hard when she’s around.”
“Can we not make couple names for a couple that doesn’t exist?” I’m losing interest in this party at a rapid rate.
“Jade’s right. Despite the sash.” Hope leans forward. “Which I give you full permission to take off.”
It won’t matter. Hart doesn’t do bars. The man rarely leaves his parents’ ranch except to argue with me at a town meeting or growl in the corner of an event he’s been dragged to.
Hope holds her glass toward the center of our circle. “To getting older and not giving a damn about anyone but yourself.”
“Cheers to that.”
Everyone chimes in happily, and our glasses clink together before we take sips. The sweet and smooth creaminess coats my mouth, like frosting on a cake.
“They were rubbing arms and legs.” Josie’s grin stretches wide behind her margarita glass.
Kiwi tsks at my sister. “We don’t need another Fox falling for a Wilde.” Her high-heeled boots click on the floor as she storms off, muttering all the reasons why the resolve was wrong.
I agree.
Our family feud has been ongoing for so long that, before Hope and Levi got married last year, even the town was divided.
Kiwi was team Fox while the bar next to her, Bucky’s Bar, was team Wilde. And the businesses used to be separated by a brick wall. Now, there’s a giant hole opening from an escalated argument.
“The way they eye-fucked—”
“Alright.” Celi grasps my hand and drags me away from Josie. “This is Jade’s night, and there will be no mention of her nemesis.”
Celi has a knack for de-escalating a situation in record time, learned after years working behind a bar.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I agree with her, but it is your night, and everything is about you and how wonderful you are.” She rests her head on my shoulder. “So take advantage of the attention. Your sisters rarely make anything about anyone but themselves.”
“We heard that,” Hope says behind us.
