Maybe I imagine the slight aggression in her tone, but either way, it puts me on guard.
“It wasfine.”
“How was the beach?”
Everyone stares at me, waiting for my answer. Is this an interrogation?
“It was good.”
“You must have really good sunscreen,” Maeve quips.
“Yeah.” I frown, genuinely confused by this comment. It’s an odd time to discuss skincare.
Maeve continues before anyone has a chance to interrupt. “It’s just that you aren’t tan or sun-kissed the way I’d expect.”
“Knowing our girl, she spent most of the week huddled under an umbrella with her nose in a book.”
I could kiss Asher.
“You know me well.” I smile and force a light laugh.
Everyone is staring. This strange conversation has garnered everyone’s attention.
“What books did you read?” Maeve levels me with a pointed stare. “Any mysteries? MaybeA Cabin in the Woods?”
Oh no.My gut twists.She couldn’t . . .
Maeve lifts an eyebrow, waiting for my answer.She knows.
“What’s going on here?” Val frowns, looking between her sister-in-law and me.
My face feels flush and I swear I stop breathing.This is not happening. I might actually pass out if I don’t force oxygen into my lungs.
“Rosalie, are you okay?” Jamie rushes to my side, offering me a glass of water. “You look like you might be sick.” She’s not wrong.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“I got you.” Asher comes to my side, putting an arm around my waist as if he’s worried I might fall. He shoots a frown at the source of my unease. “Maeve, why are you being weird?”
She knows what I did.I don’t know how, but she does. The accusation is there in her stare, and the truth turns my stomach. There are some lines you just don’t cross with friends, and I spent a weekfucking her little brother. She might never forgive me for it. She’ll definitely judge me. Hell, everyone else will, too.
My chin quivers, the tiniest of movements, and my eyes silently beg Maeve not to say another word. I can handle her judgment, but not the isolation of being outcast from our friends.
But Maeve’s brows rise, her gaze sweeping over our friends before landing back on me.
“Just that I caught Rosalie over at Jackson’s on Tuesday night.”
“Maeve!” Her name flies from my mouth.
“Rosalie!” She echoes right back.
“You sneaky bitch,” Asher muses, a conspiratorial grin spreading across his lips. “Tell us everything. And I do meaneverything.”
Several people laugh. Others grin. The only two people who appear upset by this revelation are myself and Maeve.
Maeve’s hands go to her hips. “Yeah, tell us why I found you at my brother’s house when you were supposedly on vacation.”
“It’s not what you think.”
