Page 246 of The Last Good Man

Retiring early?

It’s like we just started making money a few years back.

I order another drink.

Alice touches my hand gently.

“Are you good?”

“Mm-hmm,” I croak, whipping my eyes to the entrance before checking my phone.

“Anything new?” she asks.

“No. Buthe’llbe here. We booked a room.”

“Good for you. I wish we did the same, but we’re too tired for sexual activities.”

We laugh.

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am.Hesaidheneeded at least twelve hours of sleep to recharge. And I feel the same. This week has been brutal. Between work, our trips, and this wedding. Oh, my… Who knew it would be so much work?”

I get my wine and gulp down half of it.

“Easy,” she says quietly. “Things can’t be that bad.”

“It’s been an intense week for meas well, but I can’t complain.”

I barely say that, and someone’s back catches my eye.

“Oh, fuck,” I push out, tipping my gaze down like I’m trying to avoid them.

Alice runs a long-fingered hand over a stray strand of hair, checking the guests in the room.

“Who arewehiding from?” she murmurs, humor tinging her voice.

“Can’t you see him?”

“Oh…” she says quietly, her hand moving over her mouth. “What ishedoing here?” she asks, tilting her head to me.

I look up.

“I think he’s doing that woman.”

I flick my chin toward a woman wearing a red dress.

“She’s pretty.”

“She is, and she deserves better.”

“We’re all gluttons for pain at some point,” she murmurs philosophically.

Alice’s man swivels his head to her,a questioning look on his bearded face, and she laughs reassuringly.

“We weren’t talking about you, baby. It’s one of Mel’s exes.”

“Oh, that sounds bad,” I comment, and we both chuckle while her man shifts his focus back to Melissa’s husband.

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