Page 79 of Hearts on the Line

“Uh-oh,” Sarah says, bumping up next to me when I arrive. “You have that grin on your face.”

“I don’t.”

She squints, waving her finger around my face. “You’re a terrible liar.”

“Everyone keeps telling me that.” I frown when my phone vibrates again. This time, it’s my mom. She can’t seem to take the hint. I tuck my phone away, brushing my hair back and pretending as if I’m still not flustered from Ethan’s text.

“I didn’t even say what grin. You just jumped to conclusions, so now I know my answer.”

I gasp, but she shrugs, then spins and waves over her friends. “You’ll love everyone. I promise.”

“Sloane, meet Izzy. She’s the local smut peddler and owns the Salty Romantic romance bookstore in town. And then there’s Maisie; she works with Nico as a children’s librarian.”

“I’m sensing a theme.”

“Well, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.” Sarah waves over her last friend. “Audrey is the best wedding planner in town. And girls, this is Sloane. Yes, that Sloane Arden, but please don’t make it awkward. She had a serious lapse in judgment and almost married a complete douchebag. We won’t fault her; we’ve all been there.”

Izzy extends a perfectly manicured hand, her black hair styled in loose curls and tied back with a violet bow that matches her dress. “At least you figured it out before you were stuck with his last name.”

Sarah hooks her arm through mine and steers me inside.

“The only men I like are fictional.” Izzy slides into our booth with the grace of someone who owns every place she enters.

“I’ll be planning your wedding soon enough,” Audrey says with a knowing smirk.

Maisie sits down and grabs a menu, then leans forward. “She’s in a committed relationship with her vibrator.”

“His name is Mr. Reliable, and we’re very happy.” Izzy sips from her water glass, then inspects the specialty drinks menu. “He never disappoints me, his stamina is unmatched, and there’s zero emotional labor.”

We’re all chuckling, and Sarah sits across from me at the table. I can feel her urgent need to ask me more. I ignore it and browse the wine menu when my phone vibrates with another text.

Hot Lobsterman: Come home and find out if it’s a promise. Dare you.

“Speaking of stamina…” Sarah waggles her eyebrows.

I blush and hide behind my menu.

“Oh my god. Sloane Avery Arden!” She pulls the menu away. “You didn’t. Ahhh, you did!”

“Let me guess,” Izzy jumps in, chin propped up on her hand. “Broody, good with his hands?”

I’ve never been one to overshare, so I try my best to brush it off.

“Izzy!” Maisie gasps, but she’s laughing.

“She’s got a definite glow,” Audrey confirms.

“I’m in the business of happily ever afters. I know what love looks like on a person.”

I should be mortified, but I’m laughing so hard my sides hurt.

“I don’t think you meant what you just said.” Sarah flags down the waiter, and we all place our drink orders.

I’m sticking with wine tonight. Between Ethan’s texts and this conversation, I don’t trust myself not to head back and spill everything to him.

“Well, what’s this guy’s deal? Don’t say it’s complicated. That’s just code for he’s emotionally unavailable, but the sex is mind-blowing.”

“It’s not complicated,” I say, then pause. “Okay, it was complicated. But now it’s… I don’t know. Easy? Which is weird because nothing in my life has ever been easy.”