Page 41 of Played

She leans forward and almost barks, smiling. “Well, have you seen him? God, he’s the only one of those kids that doesn’t look like he should be a pinup. No, he’s…refined, distinguished, even.”

“So? Why the sudden interest? You’ve never mentioned him before.” I observe, squirting some honey into my tea.

“I met him today.”

I lift my head, interested. “How?”

“Ethan paid me a visit, and his brother, Maverick, just happened to be at the same restaurant.”

I lift a hand, palm up. “Hold on a second. When were you going to tell me about Ethan paying you a visit?”

She shrugs and frowns. “Well, I wasn’t. Frankly, we got into an argument, and I figured what good would it do to tell you about it. But then when I met Maverick, I figured that we should go to the wedding. Since, well, he’ll be there, and it gives me the perfect opportunity to show him my best side. I’m great at weddings, didn’t you know.”

“You don’t say.”

“Yep. Me, with my hot, sexy dress, and entertaining personality.”

“Really.” My voice is flat. “Yet, yesterday, you were telling me not to go. Now, suddenly, because you met Mr. Studmuffin, you want to go. So much for worrying about my mental health, as you put it.”

“Oh, please. What about my mental health?” She barks. “God, I’ve been listening to you wallow in self-pity, pining, reflecting, obsessing, over Ethan Harris for the past two years!”

“We were together for one year.”

“Yeah, but then he broke up with you, and that was a year ago. Frankly, it’s time for me to bust loose, get some action, and enjoy myself.”

“And what happens if Maverick is also a member of the nut barn?”

“Oh, he’s not. I can tell.”

“Surely.”

“Grow up, Freya. My God, it’s not all about you. Besides, you might actually have some fun, or you might meet someone.”

“At a nut barn family’s wedding. Greeaattt.”

“Well, Ethan was pretty adamant that you come to the wedding, too, you know.”

“I’m sure.” I say, unconvinced. “Since he hasn’t bothered to call me and convince me himself. Which, I guess that doesn’t make sense, considering that the man hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate you. In fact, when I told him that you never stopped loving him, he got this weird look on his face.”

My eyes widen. My mouth opens wide. I shriek. “You what?”

“What?” She asks, innocently, as if she didn’t just hear what she said to me.

“You told him I never stopped loving him?” I bark.

“Well, you didn’t.” She’s matter-of-fact.

“I don’t still love him, Trudy.”

She tips her chin up, voice firm. “Bullshit.”

“Just because I haven’t dated since him doesn’t mean I still love him.”

“Once again. Bullshit.”

“Where do you get off?”

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