Maria lifted a finger. “Let me get this straight. You’ll be married to one of the hottest men in town…and not touch him?”
Abby coughed into her hand. It sounded ludicrous, when Maria put it like that. “Yes, that’s right.”
Maria slammed her palm on the table and Abby jumped. “You’re going to be in a damned sexual vortex,” Maria whispered, finally keeping her voice down with Noah only a few feet away. “He’ll be hot and bothered and without an outlet, and so will you. There’s no way two beautiful people, who are attracted to each other, wouldn’t lose their minds in that situation.”
“I don’t really think he’s—”
“Knock it off,” Maria said sharply. “He’s attracted to you. I saw him with you at the club and then at the Fireside Lounge, remember?”
Abby’s radar was skewed, what with her celibate lifestyle since Trevor’s passing. She’d wondered if Hunt was attracted to her, but he’d done such a good job keeping his distance when she discouraged his initial advances that she didn’t know anymore.
Maria screwed up her face again, but this time, there was a glint in her eye. “Are you sure he’s going to abstain from sex? Because that doesn’t sound like the guy around town everyone’s known him to be. I might have to come in and rescue him.”
Abby chuckled. “Are you planning on helping him out with his dry spell?”
“Well,” Maria said, and sat back all casual, “I am nothing if not a good friend.”
Maria was kidding. Well, half kidding. “He’s handsome and there will be temptation.” Maria made a face. “Fine,” Abby said. “I’ve considered what he looks like without his clothes on.”
Maria nodded. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
“But this isn’t about me and my dating life,” Abby said. “I have to keep things platonic. What if we crossed that line and it didn’t work out? Then I’d be adivorcedsingle mother. Lord only knows what Vivian would do with that information. She’d find some way to use it against me like she has everything else.”
Maria slowly nodded. “Right. Like the vaccinations.”
Abby threw up her hands. “Those stupid vaccinations. I only wanted to draw out the schedule, not send Noah to school unvaccinated. But Vivian remembered when he was three that he still wasn’t totally caught up, and she used it against me. I have no idea who Vivian told inside the education department, but whoever it was nearly blackballed my child. I’m still going around town showing people in the district that Noah’s up to date. I swear that woman looks for any reason to paint me as a bad mother.”
Maria nodded. “She does… Okay, so fine, a marriage inname only—God help you. The question is, will you go through with it?”
Abby slowly sucked in a breath. “I’m tempted. I don’t know if Vivian could actually take Noah away from me, but that woman is crazy. And powerful with all the money they have. I don’t want to take any chances with her.I can’t.”
“You could always move away,” Maria said.
Abby sighed. “I’ve thought about it. But Noah loves Lake Tahoe, and it’s the last part he has of his father. I also strongly sense that Vivian’s reach would extend any distance. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past her to file some sort of lawsuit to prevent me from moving Noah away. And without money, I can’t fight.”
“Moving isn’t cheap, either,” Maria said, her mouth twisted in thought.
“There’s something else,” Abby said. “Before I came over today, I maybe sort of cyber-stalked Hunt.”
“Of course you did.” Maria leaned forward and grinned. “What did you find out?”
“His worst crime seems to be his love for women, like you said. There are pictures of him all over women’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, though he doesn’t appear to have any accounts of his own.” She shrugged, frowning. “I guess I could turn the other shoulder if he changes his mind about not seeing women while we’re married.”
Abby’s stomach soured. Even if they married, she’d have no claim on Hunt. But the idea of him with someone else while they lived together was just—gah, not right either.
“It’s like you told me,” Abby said. “The man is sex on a stick. Why wouldn’t he cave to some woman hitting on him?”
“Because he said he’s willing to make a commitment to you?” Maria pointed out. “He’s a player, but unlike most players, I swear that man has the most beloved reputation among women. That wouldn’t be the case if he were a dick. He doesn’t lie and screw women over, he just…doesn’t commit.”
“Yet he’s committing to me?”
“Yes.” Maria nodded slowly, her expression serious. “Think about that. You’re a catch when you’re not stressed out with work and life. Maybe he genuinely likes you? Maybe he genuinely wants to help?”
Abby closed her eyes. “And we’re back to square one. That this could be the right thing to do for Noah and me.”
“You should marry him,” Maria said.
Abby blinked. “Really?” She had been considering going through with it, and now her best friend in town was telling her to do it too.
