Page 186 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“Yeah. Really good. He’s…something else.”

Bea shifts onto her side so she can look at me without straining her neck.

“You’re so cute together. I can’t wait until everyone knows.”

I swallow nervously, and she doesn’t miss it.

“It’ll be okay,” she assures me. “You’ve got the okay from work. Everything else will just be noise.”

“I know. But it’s the volume of that noise I’m worried about and just how far it’ll reach.”

She studies me for a few minutes. “You think they’ll care?” she asks, careful not to name them.

“I…I don’t think it’ll go down well. They’ll be worried about how it makes them look.”

“Fuck them,” Bea says fiercely.

“Yeah,” I agree. And I do agree. I also know that it’s going to bite me in the ass, and if I don’t tell Hayden everything soon, it’s only going to make it worse.

“You don’t need them, Hailee. You’ve got us,” she says, reaching over to squeeze my hand.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I know I’m not easy to be friends with, but I appreciate that you haven’t given up on me.”

“I know how hard it is. Starting over, building a whole new life. Trusting people. I understand all of that. But just because those you left behind weren’t worthy of having you in their life, doesn’t mean other people aren’t. You’re surrounded by pretty incredible people who would do just about anything for you.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just hard.”

“It’ll get easier,” she promises as a member of staff walks toward us.

“Your lunch will be served shortly if you’d like to make your way up to the restaurant.”

“Thank you,” Bea says, almost immediately swinging her legs over the edge of her lounger and rubbing her belly. “I’m starving.”

I can’t help but giggle. “You’re always hungry.”

“Guilty. And I had a sneak peek at the menu, and it looks incredible. Come on,” she says as she wraps her fluffy robe around herself.

I eagerly follow because I’m also pretty hungry. I’ve had three mimosas since arriving here, and I really need something to soak up the alcohol.

We make our way through the spa, and the second we turn into the restaurant, I freeze.

“Oh my god,” I gasp before dropping my head into my hands.

“Happy birthday,” the small group of women waiting at a table on the other side of the room sing.

Embarrassment floods my cheeks as I’m sure everyone else in here stares at me.

Beside me, Bea laughs before looping her arm through mine, towing me over.

There are balloons everywhere, most of which all advertise that I’ve turned thirty, which I’m not entirely sure how I feel about. There are huge bunches of flowers and perfectly wrapped gifts in the middle of the table, but most importantly, there are people.

Casey, Freya, and Bea’s best friend, Sienna, are all smiling at me, looking beyond excited to be a part of this.

“I can’t believe you’ve done this,” I mutter as we approach.

Bea turns toward me. “They don’t know about Hayden, or this being his planning,” she whispers. “As far as they’re concerned, I did it all.”

I squeeze her hand in support before we part, and I greet the other women who have made time in their lives to celebrate with me.