“So. You and my brother, huh.” I could practically hear her smile. “About fucking time.”
I didn’t answer right away, not sure what she meant by that statement. “We kissed. That’s all.”
“Maggie, that man has been in love with you since that first halloween your senior year.” The rustle of sheets echoed over theline. “He tried to respect that you were married, but you know. Fred does not engender respect.”
“Please.” That couldn’t be right. “He has hated me since I announced I was pregnant with Hayden.”
Tiffany let out a chuckle. “He doesn’t have the capacity to hate anyone, least of all you. I’ll admit he allows his hurt to look like anger, but he cares about all of us. It’s just…”
“It’s just what?” She couldn’t say all that and then not finish her thought.
“I don’t know.” She was silent for several moments and I pictured her twisting her mouth as she gathered her thoughts. “I never understood why he took over Snow Enterprises. I think he’s hiding something. Has been for a long time.” A muffled knock sounded through the phone. “Come in.”
“Hey Princess,” Hunter’s voice was not nearly as sleepy as one would expect. “I thought you went to sleep hours ago.”
“Maggie and I needed some girl time.” Her voice had perked up a little. “She kissed Theo.”
“Took them long enough.”
I waited for the earth to open up and swallow me. Or maybe I was the one having a nightmare.
That was the problem with Tiffany. The woman could gossip and had an inability to keep a secret. But from what I can tell, everyone was expecting it to happen.
“Actually, he kissed me.”
I hadn’t even mentioned the part where he was naked and had a piercing but I knew there was only so much Tiffany was willing to hear about her brother.
“He’s gone.” She whispered back into the phone. “So, I’m not sure I want any details about my brother. But tell me you at least enjoyed the kiss.”
“The man has me wondering what else he can do with his tongue.”
“Ewww.” Her high pitched voice rang in my ear. “Why’d you have to say it like that? Bad friend, Maggie.”
We joked for a little longer, talking about the fact that Layla would be back in town and would likely stay at Forte Femme. That everyone was trying to get home for her birthday and the Fourth of July celebration. All easier topics than focusing on her nightmares.
“Do you think Shi’s going to ask all of us to be her bridesmaids? I mean, you’ll definitely be Maid of Honor, but do you think she’ll have four more bridesmaids?”
The thought made me smile. Tiffany had been the last to join our little group in high school. At first, we thought she hated all of us. But she wanted what all of us wanted. A place to belong. A tribe that accepted her. I started out thinking she was an entitled rich bitch, but she became one of my closest friends.
“She promised, remember.” It wouldn't be the first wedding in our friend group. That honor went to me. But we each had a file on what we wanted for our engagements. “It’s not like you haven’t been a bridesmaid before.”
“Not the same. Your wedding to Fred doesn’t count.” There was another pause. “There was no way I would’ve worn a meringue taffeta confection for that wedding. Now if you were to marry my?—”
“Finish that sentence and I will put this phone down on you.” I rolled my eyes.
The heartiest laugh echoed over the phone and I knew I had done my job. “Maybe she’ll make us wear pink pants suits or something. Those could be cute. Oh, I have some ideas for her.”
Gone were the shadows of her nightmare. She was thinking about clothes and designing.She was smiling and happy and looking forward to trying on hideous bridesmaids outfits.
“You ready to go back to sleep?”
“Yes.” She let out a yawn as if to emphasize her point. “Thank you for this Mags. I really miss living with you.”
“Anytime, honey.” I smiled even though I knew she couldn’t see it. “You know you can call me.”
“I hope you don’t answer when you’re in the middle of fucking my?—”
“I’m ending this call now.”
