“The penis straws are delayed in transit, but I think we’ll still be okay,” Kiera said as soon as her face popped onto the screen.
“Well, hello to you, too. What’s the glitter cannon status?” Maggie asked, stalling uneasily.
“Oh, we’re saving that for the last night. In case Danica tries to bail. Or Pete does. We’re an equal-opportunity disaster prevention unit.”
Izzy’s face popped into frame. “Disaster? Did someone say my name?”
Maggie laughed. “Hey, Izzy.”
“And guess who else is here?” Kiera tilted the camera.
Danica and Pete appeared on screen, lounging on a couch with identical wineglasses and a chaotic energy that screamed sleepover from hell — in the best way.
“Hey,” Maggie said, her broad smile slipping firmly into place like a mask. “Do y’all just hang out, like, all the time now?”
“We watch an episode ofOutlanderevery Friday night,” Danica explained. “We’re finally in Season Three.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Nerds.”
Kiera launched into planning mode. “Okay, so, next Friday night is the big cocktail night. Sequins or leather. No exceptions.”
“Sequins,” Izzy said immediately. “More spill friendly.”
“Saturday’s pool cabana and dinner.”
“When are pole dancing lessons?”
“Well, I looked around but could only find intermediate, and I don’t know if any of you are ready for that yet,” Kiera said with a grimace.
“There are levels?” Maggie asked, baffled.
“There are always levels,” Izzy said ominously.
Danica appeared next to Pete. “I expected at least one of us to pull something. I just hoped it wasn’t me.”
“It was always going to be me,” Maggie groaned. “Broken arm. Broken nose. Broken vagina.”
The group was mid-cackle when the patio door opened.Maggie startled, not expecting to see Gwen back until tomorrow morning.
Gwen stuck her head out. “Hey, did you move the — oh.” Her eyes landed on the screen. “Hey again, everyone.”
“Gwen,” Kiera squealed like they were old friends.
Pete raised her glass. “GWYNETH, my favorite karaoke duet partner.”
“That’s not her name,” Maggie said automatically, feeling strangely jealous, though she didn’t exactly know of whom. “And she doesn’t do karaoke.”
Izzy leaned forward. “What is Gwen short for?”
“You’ll never know,” Gwen said, raising one brow.
Danica snorted. “Quiet menace. I want her on my team.”
Maggie’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Actually?—”
Gwen hesitated for half a beat. Her eyes shifted toward Maggie, just long enough for Maggie to realize she was waiting for her to say something. Maggie frowned, looking away.
Pete stole the phone from Kiera, her face far too close to the camera. “Did you get the childcare sorted?”
