Page 77 of What if I Told You

“You have?”

“Of course! We knew Astro when he was the mascot of the team, so for the Stars to introduce a new mascot, that’s a big deal! In fact, I was kind of hoping you might be willing to do a few social media posts with our Remi before the game.”

I beam back at my new friend. “Of course! That would be so much fun!”

“Great! I’ll catch up with you sometime within the hour after I’ve met with Marlee upstairs. I’ll find you.”

I nod. “Perfect.”

Carissa sees herself out since she has pregame responsibilities, but the rest of the ladies hang back with Scarlett.

“Okay so now I can introduce you to the rest of the gang, and I’m going to do it quick because girl, I know you have some tea and I need you to spill it so I can hear all the juicy stuff!” Scarlett says smiling.

“Oooh juicy gossip?” one of the women says. “Did we walk in here just in time or what?”

Scarlett laughs. “Yeah you did! I have it on particularly good authority that our girl, Ella here, reeled herself in some August Blackstone and I am HERE. FOR. IT! So, Ella,” she says, gesturing to one of the women to her left. “This is CharleeMagallanLandric.” She over-emphasizes Charlee’s maiden name to be sure I catch on, which I do.

“Right! Oliver’s sister!”

The woman nods. “Yep. That’s me.”

“And my soon to be sister-in-law!” Scarlett beams as she jumps up and down and claps her hands. “Sorry, I might be a little excited about that. It’s not every day you gain a sister.”

“Girl, it’s not just me,” Charlee says. “You marrying Oliver means you get all these wonderful ladies too.”

Scarlett pumps her fist. “YAASS!”

“Ella it’s nice to meet you. And it just so happens, I know a little about you and August so I’m equally as eager to hear what’s been happening with you too.”

“Okay, okay, we all clearly need to hear what’s going on.” One of the girls with dark hair steps forward. “So, hiiii! I’m Rory Foster Malone. Sister to Dex Foster but wife to Hawken Malone.”

The blonde woman next to her steps forward. “I’m Tate Foster, Dex Foster’s wife.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” I tell them both.

The next woman wears a camera around her neck as she shakes my hand. “I’m Kinsley Shay, Quinton Shay is my hubby.”

“And I’m Ada Miller. Zeke Miller’s wife.”

“Wow.” I smile at them, shaking my head in bewilderment. “It’s so wonderful to meet you all.”

Scarlett waves her hand dismissing my pleasantries. “Yeah, yeah. They’re all great and we’re all going to hang out together after the game. Get to the good stuff, babe! How are things with you and Blackstone?”

“Well, I had this terrible date with a guy who I actually thought was nice and fun and all that jazz, but then he told me I was a bad kisser because I wasn’t spitty enough. So then?—”

“Wait.” Rory raises her hand. “I’m sorry, but did you say you weren’t spitty enough?”

I nod. “Yeah. Spitty. That was the word he used.”

Her face contorts as does Tate’s and Ada’s. Kinsley just laughs. “Oh, my God, that’s so gross.”

“Right? I agree. So, I slapped him and drove myself home and then broke down in the solace of my apartment which is where Auggie came in.”

“Auggie,” Charlee coos. “You call him Auggie? That’s so cute!”

“Yeah. We’ve literally been the very best of friends since we knew how to walk. We were neighbors growing up and he was just that kid I was always with. So, anyway, he walks in and I’m a sobbing mess and he asks what happened and I told him everything, including how the few nights previous to that in Vancouver, when we were chatting, I felt sure he was going to kiss me but he didn’t and I think I was more messed up by that than I thought and then before I knew it he was walking towards me and told me to shut up and then he kissed me.” I shrug like it’s no big deal even though it’s a super big deal.

To me, anyway.

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