Page 55 of Mistle-Ho

Then I open my phone and begin my least favorite thing.

A flipping group text.

“THANK YOU SO much for offering your house up.” I drop down into one of the stools surrounding Hazel’s kitchen island. “I figured going out in public was probably not a great idea, all things considered.”

Hazel’s eyes widen and she shakes her head. “It sounds like she’s been through some wild shit, and I can understand not feeling safe.” My friend tips wine into a glass and offers it up. “I wouldn’t want to risk him figuring out where she was andshowing up.” She gives me a wicked little smile. “But it would be kind of fun to watch Isla murder him with her bare hands.”

“Honestly, that would solve a lot of problems.” I blow out a breath as I lift my glass. “It’s so scary to think someone can be like that. I can’t imagine what she must be going through.”

“Right?” Hazel shakes her head. “I’ve dated my fair share of assholes, but none of them has ever threatened to kill me.”

“Exactly.” It’s unfathomable to me. Impossible to wrap my mind around why anyone would do something like that. “She’s a few years older than us, so I didn’t really know her well growing up, but she’s always been nice to me. It’s hard to imagine anyone hating her enough to threaten her.”

“It’s not about hate.” Hazel’s lips flatten. “Shit like that is always about control.”

The doorbell rings and I take a deep breath, hoping I can pull off what Leo wants from me. I haven’t had to make a new friend in years, and I’m a little concerned I lack the skill set to actually be of any help to Maddie.

Setting down my glass, I force on a smile. “Here goes nothing, I guess.”

I follow Hazel down the hall, smile frozen on my face as she opens the door. Leo texted me a few minutes ago letting me know they were on their way, so I’m expecting to see Maddie outside. And she is out there.

But so are the rest of my friends. Seeing them all huddled around her, offering compliments and the warmth I lack, makes me so fucking proud to be a part of our little girl gang.

Even though they love a good group text.

Hazel takes a sip of the wine she carried to the door as she eyes the crowd on her doorstep. “You guys might want to give her some breathing room.”

For sure. Thankfully, Maddie doesn’t look irritated, but she does seem somewhat shell shocked by my friends’ overbearingnature. I tried to warn Leo that once the girls found out about Maddie’s ex-husband problem, they would go into support mode. And while I love the shit out of them, their support mode can be a lot.

Wren has one long arm looped over Maddie’s shoulders. “She might as well get used to it now. We don’t want her to think we’re all as reserved as Alexis.” She gives me a wink to soften the statement.

I angle a brow at her. “Someone has to be reserved. Can you imagine what would happen if I wasn’t around to be the voice of reason?”

Hazel wrinkles her nose, stepping back so everyone can come inside. “Then I would be the only one who has any chill, and there’s no way I can keep you guys in line all by myself.”

Isla is at Maddie’s other side, a wild look in her eyes. “Maybe we should kick you and Alexis out. Just for a week so we can get a little unhinged.” She tips her head not-so-discreetly at Maddie. “Take care of a few things.”

I roll my eyes Hazel’s way. “I think staying in was probably a good idea.”

She snorts, closing the front door behind everyone. “Agreed.”

We all move together, following the hallway to the back of the house before collecting around the island like we always do. Since our little meet-up was pretty impromptu and no one had time to make anything, I placed an order at our favorite sushi restaurant and picked it up on my way over. Rolls of all kinds line the counter, and everyone chats as they begin plowing through rice and fish.

I’ve just popped a California roll into my mouth when my cell phone buzzes where I left it face down on the island. I discreetly lift it, peeking at the screen.

What do you think?

The message is accompanied by a photo of a large wire and wood enclosure. There’s a glowing light in one top corner and what look like branches zigzagging from side to side.

Looks great. I’m glad Grant knew someone who could help.

After Leo left my house, I texted Gavin, letting him know I was going to be busy most of the day and evening. I expected him to reply back with a simple acknowledgment, but it’s almost like I opened the floodgates. Gavin has been texting me all day. Nothing emotionally deep or overbearing, just little tidbits of what he’s been doing since I left his place.

And it seems like he’s had as interesting of a Saturday as I have.

“What are you doing?” Isla creeps in at my side, bumping my hip with hers.

I shove my phone into the pocket of my wide-leg jeans before reaching for another piece of sushi. “Nothing.”

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