She shrugged. God, this was a nightmare. I felt like this was her way of getting back at me for how I reacted to her and Blair getting together, and it was only the beginning. I was pretty sure she had a lot more smart-ass comments. She probably had a whole list by her nightstand.
“I’ve been simmering on a few since she told me, but that one was my favorite. What the hell happened at that speed dating event you went to?”
I froze. Shit, had she somehow put together that Vera was the one I was with that night? “What? What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s just that since you came back, you’ve been… different. All of a sudden you’re dating someone that’s definitely not your type and bringing her to my wedding? That masquerade ball was only a few months ago, I assumed you met her there.”
I had never been more at a loss for words than I was in that moment. Do I tell the truth? My friends already thought we were dating, so would it matter if I admitted how we really met? I took a breath, steading myself. I should’ve stayed home.
“Can I have a receipt please? I need it for my taxes.” There. I told a truth while also evading her actual question.
She gave me a look like she had more to say, but thankfully left it alone. “Of course, love.”
“Thanks, Dre. Are we still on for our game tomorrow?”
Drea, Blair, Kaia and I were scheduled for a pickleball game and I was looking forward to it. Kaia’s girlfriend, Daisy, had plans, so she was sitting this one out. I’d been working so much for the past several months that I hadn’t gotten out on the court as much as I normally did. I was looking forward to relieving some pent-up stress.
Her smile fell, and I prepared for her to tell me it was canceled. “So, here’s the thing. Kaia can’t make it. Daisy got sick, and you know how she is whenever her girlfriend is sick.”
“She doesn’t leave her side.” I smiled as I finished for her. The last time Daisy got sick, Kaia was out for almost a week. It was just a cold, but it was adorable to know that Kaia was worried about her so much that she missed work.
She rarely called off, so Drea was always happy when she did. Kaia worked so hard and deserved to take time off, even though she never did. When she lost her dad, Kaia tried to go back to work immediately after the phone call, but Drea told me she refused to let her and made Daisy take her home for at least a week. Kaia’s work ethic matched mine and it was impressive.
“I hope Daisy gets better, and of course we can reschedule. It’s no problem.”
She shook her head. “Absoultely not. Blair and I have been looking forward to kicking your ass for a while! I’ve been practicing and everything!”
I snorted out a laugh. She was so funny. “Probably not enough. You could use the extra practice time, I’m sure.”
She rolled her eyes. “Piss off! We are not rescheduling. I have an idea, why don’t you invite your girlfriend to play? I’m sure she’s very active. She could probably keep up with you.”
“I don’t know. I’m sure she’s busy.”
“She’s not too busy for you. Blair told me how cozy you two got at your office. We need another player and we’d love to getto know her better. Invite her, Cara, or I’ll give her a call myself. You know I have her number, right?”
“Okay, okay. God! I’ll ask her, no need to threaten me.”
She smiled. “Good. Here you go, love. Have a good day and we’ll see you two tomorrow!”
I groaned. “Bye, Dre.” I turned around and left the bookstore so fast, not bothering to look behind me. I didn’t want any more questions from Drea. I was sure I was going to get a lot more of them over the next few months.
After I got home and settled on the couch with a bottle of wine, I unlocked my phone, checking emails and social media. I liked a few new posts and stories from some of my clients, and Blair of course.
I even commented on a post Kaia had made, posing with Daisy who was smiling wildly and showing off a gorgeous diamond ring. I’d be asking her about that soon, hopefully before the wedding. I wanted to congratulate them in person.
I did a quick internet search and taught myself how to congratulate them on their engagement since Daisy was deaf. I’d save the link so I could keep practicing.
I had been practicing my sign language skills, or rather, trying to gain some, ever since she started dating Daisy. I’d even attended a few of the basic classes she taught. I could say a few phrases, but I’d perfected my spelling.
I went back to doom scrolling until I saw an ad in spanish and got a stupid idea in my head. She probably didn’t even have social media. I only knew her first name so I went to Drea’s profile, just to see if, on the off chance, she was listed under her followers or following list. Sure enough, there she was.
Listed next to a picture of her wearing a tight white tank top was the username, “VeraLaJefe.” What the hell did that mean? After a quick Google search, I nodded to myself. She wasthe head of the construction team, so it checked out that her username would say, “the boss.”
“Fuck,” I moaned, perhaps a little too loud. Her arms were on display, and I remembered how they lifted me up and tossed me on the bed that night, like I weighed nothing.
I clicked on the picture, and it took me to her profile. She had almost two thousand followers? How? Then I scrolled down to some of her posts. “Oh, that’s how,” I spoke into my empty house. She had a lot of pictures and videos of her at the gym, at construction sites, and…
“No fucking way! She’s a volunteer firefighter, too?” I shut my eyes and groaned. Of course she was. As if she wasn’t sexy enough, she had to be sweet and compassionate?
