“So, I can’t say anything to my best friend?”
Liv cocked a brow.
“My other best friend?”
“No. You can tell her you have a boyfriend.”
Fern huffed.
“Tell me everything before we get there. You have about three-and-a-half minutes. Go.”
She went, breezing through the high-level details of all the good food and great orgasms Elliott had given her that week. She’d spent a sum total of zero nights at her apartment, though she did take a couple naps and a few showers there.
“All of that seems safe to share with Ren.” Cranking her wheel to the right, Olivia pulled into a spot at the Lodge and put her car in park.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t tell you how I’ve beentryingto be discreet about it. But Anita winks at me every freaking time I go into the bookstore. And Ros—fucking Ros—she keeps wanting to talk about the super compelling and demands details every morning. I only give her a few.”
“The same ones you just gave me?”
“Less.”
“Good.”
“Fucking shifters and your super senses! I can’t wait to be one.”
Laughing, Liv pulled her keys out of the ignition and shook them in Fern’s face. “Got it all out of your system?”
“Not really, no.”
“Too bad. Keep your mouth shut about shifting until after Ren marries Scott.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
“That’s my line. Let’s go,” Liv said, throwing open her door.
Livpulledopentheheavy doors to the Lodge, and they found Ren standing in the lobby, speaking to a woman at the desk who Fern didn’t recognize. Liv waved to the staff member while Ren pocketed her keycard and turned to face them with a grin.
“You’re here! Hi, hi!” Looking every bit the bride-to-be, her flowy white sundress hugged her ample curves and highlighted her tanned, olive skin.
“Lovey!” Liv called, racing forward as Fern took up the rear to jump in a moment late on their group hug.
“You look phenomenal,” Fern announced, running her fingers through Ren’s thick black waves as they twirled slowly like an off-kilter top. “I’ve never seen your hair this long.”
“I’msosick of it,” Ren said with a laugh, pulling away from her girls. “Scott loves it though, so I said I’d grow it out for the wedding.”
“Speaking of, how is that turd? How’s your family?” Fern asked as Ren retrieved her belongings and they started toward the elevator.
“He is not a turd,” Renata retorted, though Fern remained unconvinced. Ren and Scott had been together for years—a decade, maybe—and while he didn’t seem awful, he was justbleh. Ren knew how Fern felt, and she’d still asked her to be in the wedding party, which Fern took as a good sign. Not that she’d wish eventual divorce on anyone, but…
He was a turd.
“Your sisters?” Liv prodded, clearly trying to change the subject as they rode the elevator in silence.
“Coming tomorrow with my mom and dad. Is it bad I’m happy they didn’t come in for this bachelorette?”
Fern shook her head. “No. Weneedthis. I missed you too much. Youcan see those two any time.”
“Okay, good. I felt guilty.”
