“Maybe. I called ahead and told Aunt Maggie that we had a book club emergency, and she had all this waiting when I showed up. She’s a saint.” Beck adjusts the box in her hand as she slips off her boots.
For a woman who had back-to-back clients all day, her makeup is still flawless. Her sapphire blue eyes are lined dark, and lips are ruby red. Her black hair is tied up on top of her head and secured with a scarf that matches the colour of her lips.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
I open one of the boxes that Beck has placed on the counter and look at the beautifully decorated cupcakes. I’m not waiting so I grab one. I moan when the explosion of lemon cake and raspberry buttercream icing explodes on my taste buds.
“I brought you some wine.” Megan hands me a bottle and finds a place for another on the crowded countertop.
“I’m not certain if it will pair well with cupcakes and donuts, but I know you will make do.” She turns and wraps her arms around me in a warm hug.
“How are you doing? I’m sure Logan moving home is quite a shock. Beck gave me a brief version on the way here.”
“That’s the understatement of the century.” I give her a squeeze, then step back.
I quickly wipe the corner of my mouth and lick the tip of my finger to remove any trace of icing.
Beck begins taking pottery mugs from the open shelving to fill with wine. She knows what she’s doing. There will be no delicate sipping out of crystal wine glasses for me tonight.
Megan fills the kettle with water for tea for Claire and herself. Her husband doesn’t like her drinking even though they have a fully stocked wine fridge in their pantry. Yes, he is that kind of asshole.
It hasn’t been discussed but history tells me she will return to town with Claire and Beck will crash here with me.
“I honestly had no idea who he was,” Beck says as she fills her own mug to the brim.
“It was super weird after you left. LJ, I mean Logan, got all quiet. I’m awkward as fuck so it was either babble or shut up. I didn’t want to say anything I shouldn’t until I had a chance to talk to you.”
She takes a giant gulp of her wine before grabbing a box of donuts to take into the open concept family room.
Claire soon joins us after her shower, running a comb through her still wet long blonde hair.
The evening is becoming cool so we will need a fire. I’m glad I had the foresight to bring in a few armloads of wood last weekend. Strategically I lay the wood and start it as the girls arrange themselves on the sectional.
Cupcakes, donuts, and beverages fill the coffee table. Does this qualify as girls’ dinner? I think so.
The only way I’m going to be able to formulate my thoughts is to continue moving so I start to pace.
“Start from the beginning,” Meg prompts patiently as she sips her steaming hot tea.
“I don’t know much, just that he’s moved back and works at Inkfluence.”
I gesture wildly looking to Beck to fill in the blanks. I can tell she feels awful, but none of this is her fault.
“I had no idea who he was. Banks told me he hired a new artist last week. I was excited because the chair has been empty forever. When he arrived this morning, I met him and his adorable dog Morgan. He is so cute, guys. He has the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes.” She gushes then looks up quickly and backtracks.
“Morgan is cute and has beautiful eyes, not Logan. Well, he does too, but I was talking about the dog.” Looking at me she crinkles her nose. “Sorry, too soon?”
I roll my eyes dramatically. Leave it to Beck to try and bring some levity to the situation. Claire throws a pillow at her head and Beck catches it with a giggle. Megan just smiles and quietly moves her tea to the side table out of throw range.
“Objectively the dog is very handsome.” I sigh, rubbing my temples in an attempt to find relief from the pounding in my head.
“And Logan? How does he look these days? Balding? Beer belly? Devil horns?” Claire says with a raised eyebrow, taking another bite of her cream filled donut, catching a drip with her tongue.
“He looks... good? Different.” I nibble my lips as I continue to walk.
“I hate this for you, Hannah, I really, truly do, but that man is hot.”
I glare at Beck and pick up a fallen pillow and throw it at her. She laughs as she ducks her head.
