“Yeah, there should be a rotating system or something.” Luke nods. “That way we all get to do it.”
“I haven’t made any decisions yet,” Nate interjects. “Everyone’s still in the running.”
“I’m fully focused on my current job, supporting James,” Ryan says, leaning back in his chair. “If Nate happens to like what he sees and decides to recruit me after, that’s his prerogative.”
Despite their sniping, I’m grateful to have the guys at my side for this. The only thing that sours it is knowing that Maura will be alone. Victor mentioned that Maura didn’t have anyone to stand up with her at the wedding. I wonder if that’s Victor’s influence—if he chased away her friends the same way he did her job opportunities. I don’t like the thought of my fiancée standing alone while I have a row of friends at my side.
An idea occurs to me—a way to kill two birds with one stone. If Maura and I really were a love match, she would know my friends’ girlfriends, wouldn’t she? It would be good for optics.
“It might be good for Maura to meet Pippa and Cat,” I say, my eyes moving between Nate and Ryan. “Could you ask them?”
Nate nods. “Of course. I’m sure Cat would say yes.”
“Pippa, too,” Ryan adds. “I guess they might as well add another girlfriend to their club. If we’re not careful, though, they’re gonna start outnumbering us.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Beau declares. “I solemnly swear not to add another girlfriend to the mix.”
Luke snorts. “Same here. I’ve got enough to do at the distillery, thanks.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I’m surprised to find myself part of a new group chat with Cat and Pippa.
Cat
When can we meet your fiancée??
Pippa
Tell her to come over now, we’re making brownies and watching Vampire Diaries.
Cat
Or invite her to Wine Wednesday!
Pippa
That’s probably better, since the cat just tracked brownie batter on the counter. We want to make a good first impression.
I glance up at Ryan and Nate. “Cat and Pippa already know?”
“Pippa’s known since Valentine’s Day,” Ryan admits. “I just texted her to let her know she can tell Cat, too. Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not.” I mean it. It’s not like he revealed the contract to a random stranger. Pippa is Ryan’s partner—his true other half. It makes sense that he’d trust her with this.
I doubt Maura and I will ever have that kind of relationship. We’re not made for each other, and we won’t be in love with each other. It just happens that the things we want out of life line up with the other’s.
In two weeks, she’ll be my wife—and in a year, I’ll be a father.
I can’t even picture it. I don’t have enough information about Maura—who she is, how she acts, what she wants. She’s still a mystery, one I’ll have the rest of my life to solve.
5
MAURA
“Why won’t they leave?” Brinley groans.
I glance over at the small group of women still browsing the romance section. “Probably because you haven’t closed the store?”
“Still. Don’t they sense that we havethingsto talk about that we can’t discuss with an audience?”
