“The roaches sure are coming out of the toaster oven,” Carolina marvels. “I mean, what are the odds of them meeting Looney Laura at that psycho finance bro watering hole.”
“She would invite a bunch of strangers to be in her wedding.” I sip my coffee. “You’d think she’d be too insecure.”
“She has no shame. Have you seen the bridesmaid dresses?” Carolina makes a face.
“I wish Kathy had just picked up one of those finance bros at the bar.” I run my fingers through my hair. “The circus in my house is multiplying.”
“You’re not seriously letting the Pittsburgh troll into your house, are you?”
“Fuck no.”
“Good.”
“Can’t believe she was almost your MIL.”
“‘Almost’ is a stretch.”
“She’s probably the one who shit-talked you to Knox in the first place.” Carolina deepens her voice. “You weren’t good enough for her precious baby.” She smirks. “I’m serious, though. Loving that he’s secretly still been into you all these years. Pussy so good you corrupted him from beyond the time horizon.”
“I think he’s just doing it as a control thing.”
“Considering that you had stranger-danger sex in an alley, seems like it’s right in your spank bank.”
“That was a lapse of judgment on my part.” I stare down at the foam in my cup. “I’m going to quit drinking. I’m going vegan.”
Carolina points to the croque monsieurpastry—warm and hammy with creamy cheese and béchamel.
“In my head, I’m already turning over a new healthy leaf,” I protest. “I even bought some lifestyle advice books. There are worksheets. I’m going to figure out where it all went wrong.”
“Probably when you didn’t report your stalker to the police.”
“He deep-cleaned my fridge.”
“Winnie!” Olive and Kathy giggle from the counter, waving me over. “There’s a man here for you.”
I peek over from the seating area by the books, heart pounding.
Knox? The stalker? No.
It’s Fitz… followed by my family.
“Fitzgerald is taking us to an NHL game.” My dad puffs up happily.
“Okay, well, have fun.” I give an awkward wave.
“You have to come, too, Winnie.” My mom frowns. “Fitz picked us up in a limo. It’s rude not to go.”
“I don’t want to go watch a hockey game. I hate organized sports—no offense, Fitz. And Kathy doesn’t want to go see those WAGs.”
“She has to suck it up. She could have dated the billionaire instead,” Gran declares. “Fitz says the skybox has all-you-can-drink alcohol.”
“I could use a drink,” Carolina says pointedly, “after the stories I’ve heard today…”
“I’m sure you still have a chance with Knox, Kathy,” Mom says. “Let’s just fix your hair…”
I glare at Fitz around my parents. He’s wearing that lazy smile.
“I’ll close up here, Winnie.” Olive waves us off. “I’ve got this.”
