“So where is that Zinfandel, birthday girl?” Saar walks into my kitchen.
She used to live here, for a brief period before she married Corm, so she knows where I stash my favorite wine.
It doesn’t take long before we’re eating junk and treats and drinking wine, while the conversation and teasing flow effortlessly.
Best birthday ever.
The fact that these women showed up like this melts my heart.
“Okay, I will have to leave soon… Leaking breasts…” Celeste rolls her eyes, cupping her tits. “But we never got a chance to talk about the luncheon.”
Lily groans.
Saar perks up. “Not about your revelations and Declan’s brawl.” She looks at me with her eyebrows raised in expectation. “I think Celeste is referring to Xander fucking Stone paying Cora to be his plus one.”
Fuck.
“You make it sound dirty.” I throw a chip at her.
She catches it and pops it into her mouth. “Spill the beans.”
“There is nothing to spill. He showed up at the bistro and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“That sounds like him,” Celeste says. “It doesn’t surprise me that the man would coerce you in any way possible. And I definitely don’t blame you for taking his offer.”
Her support plays tug of war with my good-girl complex. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Wait a minute. We all know that Xander man-whore Stone would charm the pants off any woman. The fact that he was so adamant about taking you is what I would like to dissect.” Saar leans forward, her long legs crossed, eager to listen.
“What? Like I’m not worthy of his attention?” I fake my indignation. But the thought has been playing in my mind, mocking me. Questioning my worthiness.
“Hey, if anything,hedoesn’t deserveyou. I’m more intrigued by his dedication,” Saar says.
“He said something about enjoying my company at the gala.” I shrug.
Lily’s eyes widen. Celeste tuts, and Saar’s arm shoots up in victory. “I knew it.”
“We went to a spa afterward, and he wanted to fuck me.” I recoil internally.
Not because the idea is cringe-worthy, but because the way I described the situation degraded it. But perhaps I’ve been romanticizing the whole thing.
“Never would I have guessed that Xander is a man willing to put in the work. I thought he walked throughlife while women threw themselves at his feet.” Saar tops up her glass.
“How was it?” Lily, the shyest of us, surprises us with her question.
“I didn’t sleep with him.” I pick up Clooney who curls in my lap.
“Why not?” Saar asks.
“Wrong question,” Celeste says. “We should bow to a woman who resisted his charm.”
“Well… more like I was saved by the bell.” I shrug. “I got a call from my father and had to leave.”
“Is your dad alright?” Lily reaches to touch my hand.
“Yes, he is okay. And once I dove into the reality of my life, I realized that a fleeting fantasy with Xander would be stupid. So there is that.”
“And he just gave up?” Celeste frowns, and I nod.
