“What’s with the high-and-mighty stuff all of a sudden?” Cora snapped angrily. “You’re always down to have an adventure and break some rules. Why can’t I do something a little reckless for a change?”
“Normally I’d say go for it, the hell with his bitchy girlfriend, go ahead and steal him away. But this feels different, Cora.” She leaned forward and reached for her friend. “You’re still in a tender place. This is the first time I’ve heard you talk about any guy since Aaron, and I’m worried. He’s really giving you mixed signals, and that’s not cool. I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”
“What if I just want to have fun and see what happens? It’s not like we’re going to be there alone. I’ll be like the weird fourth cousin at a wedding that everyone ignores. And I’m not going because of Charlie, I’m going because ofAlice,” Cora fibbed.
“What do you want to happen? Have you even thought about that? Would you be okay with a one-night stand?”
“I haven’t thought about it.”
“Liar. You’ve got sex on the brain, I can tell.”
It was true. “Okay, okay. I’ll admit that even though he has a girlfriend, and even though you think he’s thed-word, I’m still attracted to him. There, I said it. And I’m pretty sure it’s mutual. I don’t know, maybe he thought everything was great with Madison until ... until he got to know me. It feels like we have a connection.”
“So you want a relationship with him? Not just a fuck-and-run?”
Cora choked on her coffee. “Maybe?”
“So your goal is to break them up?” Serious conversations with Maggie often devolved into interrogations.
“No! I wouldn’t do that. I just want to ... make myself available to him, I guess. Let him decide what he wants. Is that bad?”
“Bad? It’s disgusting. It sounds like you should be one of those dumb bitches onThe Bacheloror something. You’re better than that, Cora.”
“Sorry I’m insulting your feminist sensibilities. Listen, I’m not going to throw myself at him, but if we have a moment, I’m not going to stop it.”
Maggie shrugged. “Whatever. I said my piece. Do whatever you want. I just want to go on record that I think it’s a mistake, and he’s a douche.” She paused. “But at least you have reason to buy that goddamned Léger now.”
“Holy crap, Darnell wasright! I found the dress, and now here’s the event.”
“He’ll be thrilled. He was so convinced that it was going to happen that he hid it behind some awful mother-of-the-bride dresses.”
Cora grinned despite herself at Darnell’s omniscience.
The gala would simply be a chance to get dressed up and surround herself with like-minded animal lovers, supporting a cause they all believed in, and maybe make some professional connections. The fact that Charlie would be at her side was inconsequential. At least that’s what she told herself, hoping that everyone—Charlie, Maggie, Madison—would believe it, too.
TWENTY-FOUR
“Ihope you don’t mind, I have some people coming over tonight,” Maggie said while she stroked Josie languidly, the two sprawled on the couch like twin odalisques. Cora couldn’t help but be a little jealous that Josie was Maggie’s shadow. Fritz was sacked out on Cora’s bed, overtired from keeping Josie entertained all day.
“Of course not. Anyone I know?”
“Darnell, a few other people,” she replied vaguely.
“Cool. Is it okay if I hang with you guys? I’ve got no plans tonight.”
“Duh, of course, dummy.”
The doorbell rang. “By ‘tonight’ do you mean ‘right now’?” Cora asked, making her way to the door as Josie barked out a warning beside her. Cora stood in front of the door and asked Josie to “hush,” placing a treat in her fist in front of Josie’s nose and waiting until she had stopped barking before she tossed it away. Josie chased the treat down the hallway and Cora opened the door.
“Hello, pretty,” Darnell said. “This must be Miss Josie.” He reached down to scratch her beneath her chin. “How’s the hunt going for her new home?”
“It’s not,” Maggie shouted from the other room.
“I think someone has fallen for her,” Cora whispered, pointing down the hall.
“Is keeping her an option?” he whispered back, still petting Josie.
“She claims she’s not ready for a dog, but who knows what that means. I could probably work it out with our landlord, but that would mean no more fosters.”
