Liam sets his ball down and clears his throat. “I think you’re drawn to Kirsten Hill—not because you’re attracted to her, but because she represents security, which is something you didn’t have in your relationship with Trish.”
My face scrunches. While part of his point hits close to home, others totally miss the mark. “You think I’m not attracted to her? You guys saw her yourself. She’s gorgeous. In fact, you two were all over her at the Coffee Loft. You’re probably just jealous that she wasn’t into either of you.”
“No one’s denying that she’s pretty,” Braxton chimes in, revealing that they’veallbeen talking about my relationship behind my back. “But face it, dude, she’s not your type.”
“You’re a Trish-chaser through and through,” Luke says confidently. “You’ve never gone for any woman who doesn’t look like her, act like her, andspendlike her.”
“I was in mytwentieswhen we got married. Don’t you think I’ve grown up since then?” I look from face to face, stunned by their silence, their stupid glances at the floor, at the waiting pins down the lane, at anything except for me.
Liam scratches the back of his head. “Sorry it came out like this, but we think you should just…be careful. The last thing you want to do is hurt a woman who’s already been hurt once before.”
That idea is the sound of screeching brakes in my head. I’ve been worried about me getting hurt in this, but what if they’re right? I absolutely don’t want to hurt Kirsten.
“Her husband left her for a woman like Trish,” Liam continues, “and if you’re going to go off and do the same…”
“I won’t,” I say, my jaw tightening over the words.
“Youmight,” Liam counters. “And if you did…”
“It would probably break her,” Braxton fills in for him.
The mere words make me shudder. I think of how satisfying it was to run into Trish and Greg at Paige’s recital with Kirsten at my side. And of how many times I tell myself that someone like Kirsten would never cheat on me the way Trish did. What if they’re right? What if I’m in some rebound phase?
“Just think of how many girls you dumped before you married Trish,” Luke says. “You’re a numbers guy. What are the odds that it works with the first woman you date after divorce?”
Braxton steps closer. “You should at least throw it out there and see what she thinks.”
I shake my head. I’m so pissed I want to punch all three of them one after the next. Instead, I yank my wallet from my back pocket, throw a stack of bills on the mess of napkins on the table, and shake my head.
“Thanks for the game. I’m out.”
CHAPTER23
Kirsten
My family room is packed with more progesterone than it’s ever held. I glance at the group gathered on the floor. It’s a carpet picnic—a few tablecloths spread over the floor, charcuterie boards aplenty, and sparkling drinks in glass flutes we keep finding reasons to clink for yet another toast.
Chantel, who’s among them, was right; it feels fabulous to have so many girlfriends around. To share highs and lows, thrills and woes, and to laugh at this thing called life, together.
“That woman is just nasty,” Izzy says in her thick southern accent.
“Trust me,” Jessica says with the wave of one hand. “I’ve met Beau. You don’t lose a guy like him and not regret it. His ex wants him back in the worst way, and that’s why she’s trying to get in your head.”
Of all the women here, Jessica is the most Trish-like, in appearance anyway.
“She’s right,” Maggie agrees.
“I’ll third that motion,” Annica says as she plucks a strawberry from the dessert tray. She dunks it in sour cream, rolls it in the brown sugar to coat it generously, then moans while taking a bite.
“Thanks, ladies,” I say. “I wish I hadn’t let her get in my head like that. But it’s something I’m insecure about already. I’m nothing like Trish.”
“And he’s nothing like Greg,” Maggie points out.
“Thankheavens.”Izzy bursts into giggles. For a woman who’s dealt with as much as she has, her ex being an addict throughout most of their marriage, she sure knows how to laugh and have a good time. I admire that about her.
In fact, as I eye each of the women in turn, I think of ways I admire each of them. Jessica, who rarely gets taken seriously because of her bombshell appearance which is only accented by the way she dresses, is a force to be reckoned with in the bank and loan industry. Annica, who’s never been married, is a businesswoman herself. But she’s not shy to admit that it got in the way of relationships. Now she’s ready to change that.
And, of course, Chantel is snarky and strong, not afraid to say what she wants and to hold out for the right one. And she rocks those youthful tattoos and piercings like a teenager.
