Page 27 of Even Ground

And then I make the mistake of scrolling down.

“Some of these comments.” I frown.

“What’s going on?” Pania asks.

I look over at her. “I sent Josh a candid photo I took of him and Delaney and he posted it on Instagram. Most people are great, but you know there are always some …”

She rolls her shoulders like she’s prepping for a fight. “The ones I want to punch in the face?”

“Uh huh. There’s a lot of jealousy out there.”

Pania stands and moves over to the couch, dropping onto it. “I’ve seen all kinds of comments about her. What are they saying?”

I sigh. “The usual. He can do better. She’s a gold-digger. So much bullshit.”

“It makes me so mad.”

I grin. “I’m going to comment.”

Her eyes widen. “You are not.”

“I’ve had just enough to drink, and I’m not going to let anyone bash Josh’s girl.”

I press the icon to comment and type out. No fair. I want a Delaney too. Can we clone her?

Pania’s gentle perfume breaks through my senses, and I turn my head to see her watching over my shoulder.

Her lips twitch. “I like that.”

“I don’t know if it’ll teach anyone to be better, but it makes me feel good.”

Hope you’ve got a prenup.

I blow out a breath and shake my head.

“Delaney’s worked hard her whole life, and people say dumb stuff like she’s a gold-digger and they hope Josh has a prenup. If those two ever broke up, Delaney wouldn’t take a cent.” Pania frowns.

Really? You could do so much better than her.

My blood boils reading these comments. And the way Pania makes little growling noises in her throat behind me, tells me she feels the same way.

I hit reply. Are you serious? I’m fucking bitter I couldn’t steal her from him. She could do so much better than Josh Carter.

Pania giggles, and I grin.

“Want to join in?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I don’t use Instagram. Never got it. Delaney ran all the social media for the diner.”

I turn back to the screen.

Leave him and marry me, Delaney.

Pania roars with laughter. “That’ll set Josh off.”

“Nah, he’ll be fine. It’ll annoy the mean girls, though. Losing him is bad enough, but if they think we’ve both fallen for the charms of the lovely Delaney …”

“You’re wicked.”

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