Because that’s what someone who deserves you does, Caden whispers in my head.
I didn’t even know her four months ago, and today, she’s my everything.
Today, I’m putting my entire career on the line for her.
Regrets?Caden whispers.
It’ll depend.
It’ll depend on if I cost her having her family.
38
Ziggy
I shouldn’t bemadder with every passing day but I am.
And that’s what Goldie’s friends are meeting late Tuesday morning.
Angry Ziggy.
Have I ever been this mad in my life?
I don’t think I have.
“How did the interview go?” Goldie asks me as I slide into a round corner booth at Give Two Sips, her favorite wine bar in the Warehouse District. It’s a cool two-story bar with plants hanging from the ceiling and plush velvet seating. We’re a couple blocks from her and Fletcher’s place, and she has a ginger ale waiting for me.
Another time, another place, I’d be enchanted and looking forward to coming back when I can drink. A quick scan of the wine list tells me this place is excellent.
Right now, I’m too mad to care.
“It went well,” I tell her. “Thank you. Sincerely. I’m looking forward to getting back into the wine industry, and the owners are lovely people.”
She lifts her brows.
I snort and flop back in the booth. “My family hasn’t reached outat allaside from a single guilt trip asking why I’d pick a player over them, and if I wasn’t working in the main office for the team, they probably wouldn’t have reached out at all.”
“Even Miranda?”
I’ve been in constant contact with my sister. She’s amazing. “Miranda’s not family. She’sfamily. There’s a difference.”
Goldie smiles at me as an older white lady in a bright pink shirt slides into the round booth on the other side. She has shoulder-length white hair and a bright smile that shows off the depth of her crow’s feet, and I do a double take when I realize the logo on her T-shirt saysOutlive Our Ex-Boyfriends Club. I’d guess she’s a few years older than my mom, maybe a full decade.
“The sidewalks are so busy today. Did I miss a festival announcement? In the middle of the week?” she says.
“Rain’s coming tomorrow and bringing a cold front,” Goldie replies. “It’s everyone getting one last bit of late summer sunshine.”
“I’ll go out in the rain. We need the rain. How’s your hip? Weather bothering it?”
“Barely achy. I’m good.”
“Good. You stay inside and make sure Fletcher spoils you.” She breaks out into a grin. “You know who won’t go out in the rain?”
“The Old Man Bikers Club,” Goldie says in unison with her.
The woman beams. “Exactly.”
“Ziggy, meet Sheila,” Goldie says to me. “She’s one of my three favorite BFFs.”
