I scoffed. “God, no. He’s got a woman who happens to be a really good friend of mine.” I groaned. “Which you don’t need to know because it’s none of your business.” I sighed. “Get that smug look off your face.”
“We should probably get out there or people are gonna think we’re having a different kind of reunion.”
“You would just love that, wouldn’t you?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Am I staying?”
“As long as I don’t see you, it’s fine. But you better apologize to Maisie.”
“I will. I’m also apologizing to you, beauti—ah, Katie.”
I cocked my head. “For which part?”
“Well, for not releasing your wrist when you asked me to. I just wanted to keep you from hitting me again, but I should have let you go the second you asked me to do so.”
“Technically, I shoved you,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, but I know how much damage you can do, Katie, as evidenced by the fact I’m gonna have a bruise on my sternum, so cut me a break, huh?”
“What else?”
“The rest of the apology will happen when we have a chance to really talk.”
“That would require me seeing you,” I said.
He grinned. “It sure would.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I know. It’s one of your favorite things about me.”
Without a response, I yanked the door open and stormed out of the room.
Maisie
DANI CLOSED THE kitchen door, so we could have a modicum of privacy, then we stepped into the scullery and closed that door as well.
“Spill,” I demanded.
“Rooster, Flea, and Katie all met Freshman year of high school. Rooster and Katie had first period together. Katie said it was love at first sight.” She gave me a cheeky little grin. “For him.”
I chuckled. “Cute.”
“Rooster’s dad used him as a punching bag anytime he had the chance.”
I frowned. “He did?”
Dani nodded.
“Arsehole.”
“Indeed,” Dani agreed. “He ended up crashing at Flea and Katie’s most nights apparently, but then he met your man who took both boys under his wing.”
I smiled. “Because he’s the best guy on the planet.”
Dani laughed. “Next to mine, yes.”
“So what happened after Hatch took Flea and Rooster under his wing?” I asked as I started pulling dishes out of cabinets.
