“Water’s fine,” I mumble, but Wyatt shakes his head.
“I can make a gin and tonic. With lemon?”
My lips part in surprise. “Oh. Uh, yes, please? If you’re sure?”
He nods. “No problem.” Then he turns to Poppy, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “No alcohol for you, baby, but I’ll make you something nice.”
She lifts her gaze to the ceiling, but she’s smiling. She’s clearly used to being doted on by Wyatt, and I’m mesmerized as I watch the two of them together. Not only because he’s so obviously smitten with her, but because he’s so much older.
Like Aidan.
Poppy releases a contented sigh as her husband leaves the room, then turns to me, smiling knowingly. “He’s older than you expected, right?”
Fuck.
I cringe, pressing a hand to my hot cheek. How could I have been so blatant?
But Poppy laughs, and the other two join in.
“The thing is,” Daisy murmurs, leaning in close, “we’re all in the same boat.”
I glance among all three women, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“We’re all married to much older men,” Violet says easily, inspecting her split ends.
My jaw falls open. “Really? How much older?”
“Wyatt’s seventeen years older than me,” Poppy says.
“There are nineteen years between me and Wes,” Daisy chips in.
“We’re eighteen,” Violet says, raising her hand.
My head spins as I glance between them. How is this possible? Did they all meet on some sort of silver foxes dating app, or something?
Violet laughs, reading my thoughts. “It’s a coincidence, but we’ve all helped each other through it.”
That same sensation of envy nudges me. Not only that they’ve all found such loving relationships—with hot older men, to boot—but that they’re clearly close friends. I can’t imagine how nice it must be to have that support.
Poppy turns to me, smiling. “Daisy said you’re in a similar situation.”
I choke out a laugh. My situation ishardlysimilar to theirs. They’re married to the loves of their lives, while I’m… what? Masturbating in my boss’s office?
Jesus.
Daisy’s face grows worried. “I’m sorry. This probably feels like an ambush. I just… wanted you to know you’re not alone. We’re here to listen and offer advice, if we can.”
I let my breath out in a long stream. “That’s sweet,” I murmur.
Violet looks from the others to me. “Look, you’re probably feeling a little put on the spot. You don’t have to share anything, okay?”
I swallow, nodding. That’s a relief.
“But you can ask us whatever you like,” Poppy adds. “If that might help.”
I ponder this, my gaze straying around the room as I do. It lands on the cupcakes sitting on the counter, and Poppy laughs.
“I almost forgot!” she says, picking up the tray. “Daisy said you liked them.”
