Page 53 of Even Ground

“My bitchiness radar’s on high alert.”

He raises his palms. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. We’ve been friends a long time.”

“Jessie called Delaney a whore.”

He recoils.

“In her own diner. Full of people, including Melly.”

Reece’s jaw sets. “Josh told me she’d treated Delaney like trash, but I didn’t know exactly what she’d said.”

I drop my hands to my sides. “Delaney told Josh it was okay to invite her to the wedding, because she knows they’ve been friends a long time, and she’s a forgiving person. I’m not.”

“Point taken,” he mumbles. A V forms between his eyebrows. “She’s not a bad person, Pania. She’s just always had a thing for Josh.”

“Yeah, I figured.”

“Things are … complicated with her.”

It shouldn’t. It really shouldn’t, but that word, “complicated”, has a loaded meaning. And it slams me right in the chest.

“You and Jessie?” I say, my voice cracking.

Reece breaks eye contact.

Woah.

“We’re not together. We hooked up a few times in the past.” His gaze hits mine again.

“I’m not going to judge you. Hell, we don’t really know each other. I’m just surprised.”

He leans forward. “I hope this doesn’t come between us.”

I swallow hard. It shouldn’t, but I’m loyal to Delaney, and while I knew about the friendship between Jessie, Josh, and Reece, this is an unexpected piece of news.

I’m not even sure how to process it.

“I don’t really know what to think. But it’s none of my business.” I look around. The sky has grown darker, the bright colours fading. The other people sitting at the lookout are packing up, so I suggest we do the same. “We should get going.”

He nods.

It’s a silent ride home. I’m not sure if it’s petty to feel disappointed in him, but he has a past with a lot of women in it, and it shouldn’t be surprising Jessie’s one of them.

Delaney greets us as we walk in the door, her hand in Melly’s.

“I’m just putting this one to bed, then you can tell me all about your mysterious trip,” she says.

I glance at Reece as I answer her. “I think I’m just going to have an early night. We’ll catch up tomorrow.”

Swallowing hard, I meet Reece’s gaze. “Thank you.”

Delaney’s eyes dart from Reece to me and back again. “Fair enough. It’s been a long day.” She looks down at Melly. “Say goodnight to Pania and Reece.”

I bend so Melly can give me a hug. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I close my eyes, holding her tight.

“Goodnight, Pania,” she whispers.

“Night, sweet pea.” I press a kiss to her ear, then let her go.

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