I like going where I belong and where I’m appreciated, not where I’m the center of gossip.
And Miranda tells me that Mom and Dad haven’t gone as much lately either.
So does Abby Nora know?
Does she know she’s talking to my boyfriend?
Is this one more stupid game?
Odette clucks her tongue.
Sheila snorts. “We’ll see about that.”
And that’s when Holt glances over his shoulder, spots me, and winks.
Winks.
The man doesn’t wink at me.
Sneak behind me and cradle my belly and kiss my neck while I’m cooking when I won’t let him help? Yes.
Turn my alarm off before it can ring on Saturday mornings so I get extra sleep when he knows I’m tired? Yes.
Rub my feet and spoil me and pamper me and make me laugh and fall in love a little more every day? Yes.
But he has never,everwinked at me.
He beckons me over. “Zig, this is Josh Harrison. You know him? He’s a big Pounders fan. And his wife, Abby Nora. Really unusual name. Is this the same Abby Nora who used to be your best friend?”
Odette chokes.
Sheila does too.
And me?
I don’t know what I do.
I just know I’m suddenly frozen on the spot.
He isnotcalling her out, is he?
“You know,” he continues, his eyes sparkling more with every word, “the one whose wedding you got half the wine for with special bottles that you collected all over Europe while you were thinking about her? The one whose bachelorette party you hosted with all of the bridesmaids getting free cruises? The one who called you a cunt during her baby shower? Is this her?”
Abby Nora’s going a shade of purple I’ve never seen.
“Hey, you listen up—” Josh starts, but Holt turns to him, pulls himself up to his full height, broadens his shoulders, and while I can’t see his face, I know what face he’s making based on his posture alone.
It’s theI will fucking tear you limb from limb if you want to take this onto a rugby pitchface.
“Yes,” I squeak.
“Thought so,” Holt says without looking back at me. “Josh, dude, you might want to pick a different team. The Pounders don’t like you or your wife. Not when you’re absolute cunts to my girlfriend.”
“Oh my word, I think I’m a little turned on,” Odette whispers.
Sheila’s fanning herself. “I hope you and Holt both live a long, long time and never have need of our little club.”
I’m still gaping as Holt turns away from Abby Nora and Josh.
