Page 30 of Shameless Expectations

Monti raised an eyebrow at Zoe, her lips thinning. She’d never been so sure of something before. “Always.”

“I don’t know how you do it. I’d miss Gwen too much.”

“It’s not that hard, honestly. Friends are everywhere, and there’s always someone new to meet. The bonus is that when I leave, no one will miss me in the long run. We’re friends when we’re together, but as soon as we’re apart, it’s like I was never there.”

Zoe frowned, a line forming in the center of her forehead as she contemplated what Monti had said. Then she shook her head wildly. “That sounds incredibly sad.”

“It’s peaceful.” Monti tapped her fingers on the tabletop. At least, she kept telling herself it was. “So, I’ll leave, head on to the next adventure. I was thinking about going to Belize for a bit in the spring. Maybe bring Fallon with me.”

“I bet she would enjoy that.”

“She would.” Monti finished her beer and set the glass down heavily. “Maybe I’ll go to Thailand.”

“You always were such a traveler.”

I am. Monti didn’t say it out loud though. She didn’t want to make Zoe feel any worse than she already had. They should enjoy this time they had together, the quick conversations and joy they could bring to each other. “You should try it. I’ll go with you if you ever want to explore somewhere fun.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer! I’ll need a long vacation somewhere sunny with a beach after this year.”

“Oh? What’s been going on?”

Zoe sighed, her face fell. “That, my dear friend, is a very long story.”

“Then I’m all ears.”

ten

“Where is she?” Athena stood at her doorway, staring Fallon down, as if her personal assistant had all the answers.

Fallon shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Holding back her scoff, Athena walked into her office and shut the door. She’d paced the room for the last fifteen minutes, waiting. Monti was supposed to be there an hour ago, and there was still no sign of her. It had thrown Athena into a loop of chaos. It shouldn’t have, but it did. She stopped by the window and stared out into the forest again, the frustrated energy coursing through her without stopping.

The respite she’d gotten had given her enough clarity to be able to think. Athena had immersed herself in work all day, focusing more than she had in weeks. She stretched her neck and her back. Kevin being home wasn’t helping things. As much as she loved him, his very presence disrupted her routine.

The knock on her door startled her. She’d expected Fallon, but when she turned and saw Kevin, Athena winced.

Speak of the devil…

“I wanted to check in on you,” he started, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him.

Athena sighed and dropped her hands. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

Rolling her eyes, she leaned against the edge of her desk.

“When’s the last time you left this house?”

“A few hours ago.” Athena waved him off.

“For something other than to go to your other office.”

She wrinkled her nose. He knew her too well. Which had been a huge part of why they’d agreed to this arrangement in the first place. It benefitted both of them. “How’s Clayton?”

“Don’t avoid my question.” He gave her a flat look, and she knew she was going to have to answer.

The problem was, she didn’t honestly remember. She’d have to check with Fallon, because all dates in the last year seemed to vanish from her mind. Gnawing on her lip, she looked at him. He already knew. So why was he even asking?

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