“It’s done, although if you’re really feeling guilty you can break up with Shawna for me to make yourself feel better.”
“Yeah, I’m not feeling that guilty. Sorry.” She looked at him. “But I do regret how I acted in our marriage. You needed to be a part of things.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you saying that.” He sighed. “So what happens now?”
“About Shawna? You tell her the truth.”
“I can’t.”
“It’s either that or marry her. I mean it, Harris. She deserves to know how you feel. Ignoring the heartbreak, she’s going to be humiliated. The more you let her plan, the more she’s going to hate you in the end.”
He hung his head, but didn’t speak. She wondered if he would listen or if he would continue to string along Shawna. For a second she thought about doing what he wanted—breaking up with her for him. But as the thought formed, she pushed it away. Not only wasn’t it her job, it wasn’t good for either of them. Harris had to deal with the consequences of what he’d done and his fiancée deserved to hear the news directly from him.
Chapter Fifteen
Ryleigh made a quick tour of the drinks table. She’d already put out fresh ice, so now she made sure there was plenty of soda and juice boxes for the kids.
The impromptu Sunday backyard barbecue had come together in a matter of hours. Alex had texted that morning to say he was in the mood to have people over. She’d agreed that the idea sounded fun, had packed up Lucy and some cat kibble, then headed over. While Noah got Lucy settled, she’d helped Alex plan a simple menu of marinated chicken and several salads. Once they had confirmation from their guests, she made the grocery list and Alex had headed out to do the shopping.
While she’d waited for his return, she’d gone in to check on her cat, only to find Lucy draped across Noah as he sprawled out on his bed.
“So she still likes you,” she teased. “I wasn’t sure.”
Noah grinned. “She loves me,” he corrected, petting her gently, while she gazed at him with her big, soft eyes.
“She seems to.”
“I like the purring. I can feel it on my chest as well as hear it.”
Ryleigh sat on the foot of the bed. “Thanks for being such a good human big brother to my cat.”
That made him laugh. “So she’s my cat sister?”
“She is. We’re a very modern blended family.” She stood. “Come on. Let’s get out the serving pieces for the party.”
By two the chicken was marinating and she’d already made the BLT pasta salad. Alex cut up strawberries and washed spinach for Kim’s famous salad while she went to work on the cucumber dill dish. He’d bought cupcakes for dessert.
Shortly before five, the guests started arriving. In addition to Jax, they’d invited several of Noah’s friends and their parents, including his new buddy Bodie and his mom, Vivian. She and Alex had debated about Harris and Shawna, but since this was Harris’s week with the kids, she had texted them an invitation. Ryleigh had hoped her former brother-in-law would send the kids but wouldn’t want to come himself, but Shawna sent back an all capsYESfollowed by several hearts.
“Young love,” Ryleigh grumbled as she counted out bottles of soda, then decided they had enough. “It makes me tired.”
“I thought you were looking for young love,” Alex said.
“Oh. Right. Sorry. It’s the whole ‘Harris Shawna’ thing. I feel so bad for her and I’m mad at him. He’s being a total—” she paused to glance around and confirm no one was nearby “—jackass about her. I mean we’re not supertight, but I like her and no one should be put through that kind of crap by a man who claims to be in love with her.”
“I agree he qualifies for Jerk of the Month.”
“I thought he was a decent guy. When he and Jax were first together, I was so envious of how much in love they were. I wanted that for myself.” She heard the wistfulness in her tone. “I never found it, which is beside the point. I thought he was better than he was. It’s like knowing a really bad thing is going to happen and being unable to warn anyone.”
“Technically you could tell her what you know.”
She stared at Alex. “Are you insane? No, I can’t. I’m not going to be the nightmare person who destroys her life.” She paused and replayed her statement in her head. “But if I don’t tell her, then I’m the friend who knew.” She sighed. “Now I’m really mad at Harris.”
Noah came running up with his friend Bodie. “Can I show Bodie Lucy? We’ll be real careful.”
“I’ll take this one,” Ryleigh said. “You go play host.”
She took the boys inside and spent a few minutes watching them carefully pet and play with the cat. When they left her to resume her nap, Ryleigh saw her sister heading in her direction.
