Daisy took a swig of her beer, sucked her teeth, then said, “You know what. It’s water under the bridge. I got the guy, she got the message, and she’s been alright ever since. It’s whatever.”
My head bobbed. “I imagine it’s easy to have tension in such a place. Truth be told, I myself was a little on edge knowing so many women lived here. I would be foolish to think Hawk hasn’t entertained a few of these ladies, but it’s not something you want to think about.”
Daisy held her bottle up. “Oddly enough, if he had, I hadn’t noticed, and Shiv and I are as nosy as they come. I’d not seen him reallyentertainingany ladies. The closest was when he had his arm around someone’s shoulders once, but he was giving a speech and told everyone to grab a drink and a bunny so I think it was for dramatic effect.”
Lacy agreed, but Jeannie was quiet and looking toward the grills. I wasn’t a gambling woman, but I’d bet money she’d slept with my husband. And now that flicker in the back of my mind started to make sense.
What was even more irritating was that she had blonde hair and brown eyes like me. Although that was not her natural shade. Her build was slightly thinner than mine and her breasts much larger.
I was thicker, but it was from muscle tone. And my breasts were proportional to my size. Did he prefer thinner women? Was blonde his preference?
How could I have been a preference anyway? This was all arranged. I had to stop spiraling. I’d never been insecure about my body type. So what if he slept with her?
She didn’t even live here and he gave me his word he would not have anyone but me going forward. Like Daisy said, I got the guy.
I pulled the lemon from my glass and knocked back the rest of my vodka. “I am all for letting things go. With that said, I’m going to tell Sugar how much I loved this drink and ask for another. You ladies need a refill?” I asked as I stood.
Daisy stood up. “I’ll go with you. You can’t carry them all.”
As we walked toward the clubhouse, Daisy threaded her arm through mine. “Are you okay?”
Smiling, I answered, “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know what’s up with Jeannie. She’s usually super cool.”
The door was opening as we approached, and a member, as I was learning they were called, held the door for us and older rock music poured out. “Thank you,” I told him with a smile as we walked in. “Oh, she’s fine. Change can be hard. I’m new here.I’m sure it’s an adjustment for everyone.”
Daisy tightened her grip. “If it’s any consolation, those of us whodolive here already think you’re great. Lacy didn’t stop texting me all day about you. She’s got googly eyes for you,” she said, batting her eyes. “And anyone who can throw one of these guys to the ground is instantly cool as fuck to me. You’ll have to show me how to do that.”
We leaned on the bar, and Sugar saw us from the other end and walked closer. “Need another?”
“This was excellent. I’d love another,” I told her as I pushed the glass across the bar.
She cleared it and grabbed another from below the bar. It must have been in a chiller because it was frosted. She also pulled another beer out and popped the top off, pushing it to Daisy. “Do the others need another, too?”
Daisy nodded. “Yes, please.”
I watched as she poured Grey Goose into a mixer, added ice, a squirt of something that wasn’t labeled, then shook it briskly. Then she poured it into the chilled tumbler before pulling a small piece of lemon from a container on the bar and dropping it into the drink. “Don’t worry, we wash all the fruit before we turn it into garnish.”
“I appreciate that. I worked in a restaurant and was anal about the lemons for water and tea because I watched a documentary years ago about how filthy drink garnishes were at most places. What was that you added to this?”
“Oh, uh, simple syrup. Just a drop really enhances the flavor, especially if you like it cold. You worked in a restaurant?”Sugar asked.
Looking at the cup and taking a sip, I grinned. “I’d never thought of trying that. Delicious.”
“It was kind of her restaurant from what I heard,” Daisy said as she sipped her beer.
“Well, it was really my mother’s. Papa never gave it to me after she passed, but I managed it for a few years. I loved it.” Sugar and Daisy both gave the obligatory dead mom face so I waved them off. “It’s been years. I miss her very much, but I can talk about her with comfort more than hurt now.”
“I’m still sorry for your loss. I lost mine, too,” Sugar said.
I reached across the bar and put my hand over hers, squeezing. “I’m sorry for yours as well.”
Before I knew it, Daisy and I had both grabbed a stool and I’d nearly finished another drink when a familiar voice was in my ear. “Don’t deck me, it’s just your husband.” Then a hand snaked up my chest, lightly grasping my neck and sending my face upwards. His face dug against my neck. “I love the way you smell.” Then he turned me sideways, and his lips crashed onto mine.
I couldn’t help but grin as catcalls and whistles overrode the music. He pulled my body closer, my legs opening for him to step in.
Finally, he pulled away. “Did you eat?”
