“What articles?” I uncap my bottle and drain the rest of my water.
“Will has been named in Judge Whelan’s divorce petition. He was having an affair with his wife and a bunch of other women, it seems. He might face criminal charges because some confidential paperwork went missing from the judge’s house, and they’re trying to prove Will stole it and sold it for money. Keeping a harem of women happy must have been costly.”
“I’d like to say I’m shocked, but I saw a very different side to Will after the accident. I tried to warn Ellen, but she wouldn’t listen. She had chosen her side. Still, I’m sorry this happened to her.”
“Yeah, me too. She’s humiliated and might be left to raise their four kids alone if he ends up in prison.”
“Poor Ellen. I hope she has a support network.”
“By the way, Hudson says hello. He was hoping to be here today, but he got called into work.”
“Hudson was a great friend to me during that time. Hadley and I missed him a lot.”
“How is Little Miss Mischief?” he asks as we come up to our respective spouses.
“Still as mischievous as ever.”
Beck moves to my side and circles his arm around my back. “All good, honey?” He inspects my face for any sign of distress.
“All good, my love.” I stretch up and kiss him. “Garrick and I had a good talk, and we were just catching up on mutual friends.”
“Is Hadley married?” Garrick asks, cradling his son in one arm and his wife in the other. Helena is sitting on his lap with her arm around the back of his chair.
“No.”
“She’s been engaged three times,” Beck confirms, rubbing his free hand over my belly when he spots movement under my dress. Our boy is very demonstrative, and he likes to kick his legs around in a very visible manner.
“They are never the right guys,” I explain.
“Hudson is single again,” Garrick says, waggling his brows. “I seem to remember those two being hot and heavy for one another.”
“They were,” I agree. “I think if the accident and everything hadn’t happened things might have worked out differently between them.”
“Maybe we should do something about that,” Helena says, grinning at her husband.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Garrick says, turning to look at us. “What do you think?”
“Hudson’s good people,” Beck says. “But I’m not sure we should interfere.”
“Maybe we should talk to them, see if they’d be interested in a date,” I muse, leaning against my husband.
“Hadley is sick of meeting jerks on those dating apps,” Beck says. “She might go for it.”
“Hudson is the same,” Helena says. “He’s met a few crazies.”
“Maman!” Olivia screeches, racing toward me like she’s on skates. “Did you see? I jumped off the roof of the bounce house and did a tumble midair.”
“Do you want to give me heart failure?” Beck asks, scooping our wild daughter up into his arms and throwing her in the air. Olivia squeals, sporting the biggest grin.
“And he wonders where she gets it from,” I tease, rolling my eyes.
“She has your hair.” Garrick smiles at my daughter as her father throws her into the air again.
“That’s all she has of me. She has Beck’s face shape, his lips, and his brown eyes.”
“Personality wise, she’s all Stevie,” Beck supplies, finally putting our daughter on the ground. “Come and say hi to Garrick and Helena.”
“Hi.” Olivia waves before leaning in to inspect baby Max.
