Page 43 of Fall at Once

“He has an eight-pack. Eight, Madi, I mean damn. Oh, and let’s not forget about Pace. And Mason, and freaking Jeff—his wife is so lucky. The rest of them started to blur together after a certain point. I think I stopped retaining new information, and the word ‘hot’ justbeep bop boopedinside my head as I tried not to drool. Do eyeballs feel happiness? Because I think mine are fucking overjoyed right now. And don’t get me started on my ovaries. I feel like I need a cigarette.”

“Right? I’ll never be able to look any of them in the face at Gigi’s ever again. Not when I know what they all look like shirtless. We have too much information now—that phrase is legit.”

“How was it with Cole?”

“He’s so sweet. I knew he was a nice guy, obviously. But he was shy, and it was adorable. And his kids are amazing.”

“I told you. He’s a good one. Gah! I love shy guys. It makes me want to climb them like a damn tree.” Kenny hopped to the window sill, and she flopped to her side on the couch. “Hey, aren’t your sisters coming to see you tonight?”

“Yes.” I heaved out a disgruntled sigh. “To talk about Ross. They have something to tell me. And Kenzie. I do not want to know.”

“You’re better off without him, don’t forget that. I’ll get out of your hair.” She sat up and stretched before heading to the front door. “I should get back down to the bakery anyway. Those sugar cookies aren’t going to decorate themselves.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah, bright and early.”

My text notification went off. Kenzie paused at the door. “Is it Cole already? That’s a good sign.”

Riley: Meet us at Bookers. Thirty minutes. Abigail is already two margaritas deep. I’ll wait until you get here to start. Shots!

“Damn, no. It’s not Cole. It’s Riley. She wants me to meet them at Bookers for dinner. Abigail is already drinking. This should be interesting.”

She laughed. “I’ll see you closer to lunchtime, then. Knowing those two, you’ll be out late and wake up hungover.”

Chapter 14

Madi

Bookers Pub was as crowded as it ever was. Okay, so I’d only heard how busy it could get from my sisters. This was my first time here.

“Over here!” Abigail stood on her chair, waving her arms above her head.

I watched Riley tug her down and whisper in her ear. Abigail threw her head back, laughing, and I knew I was about to have fun. Tipsy Abigail was hilarious.

The three of us were as different as could be, but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy their company. Riley was stylish and sleek, all about designer clothes and perfectly polished hair and makeup—she was immaculate. She wore designer jeans and a black blazer over a shiny white silk tank top tonight. Her pointy-toed,bright pink stilettos were her only pop of color.

Abigail was her opposite—picture a thirty-two-year-old version of Stevie Nicks with wild chocolate brown waves and boho clothes. According to Abigail, one could not have too many accessories; she was dripping in silver—a stack of bracelets on each wrist, a tangle of shimmery necklaces, and a ring on almost every finger.

My style fell somewhere in the middle. I had changed to a simple black sheath with long sleeves and a deep V-neck. Black patent leather stilettos were on my feet. I felt pretty. If I was about to get bad news, I had to look hot while I got it. Somehow, it made me feel better.

We were different in so many ways, but we always,alwayshad each other’s backs. I hoped like hell they weren’t here to try to get me to take Ross back. Becauseno.

Riley stood, holding her arms out and wiggling her fingers as I approached. “Hugs!” she shouted as I walked into her arms. “I missed you, Mads.” She kissed the top of my head and then pulled away with a grin. “This one is trying to choose a Fire Brigade member to hit on. Help me keep her under control.” She eyed me sharply with a cat-eating-the-canary grin on her face. “We’ve heard Cole is off the market again. Is that true? Because I approve, one hundred percent. He’s a great guy. I’ve always thought so.”

“Um…” I slid into their booth, trying to decide what to tell them about Cole, if anything.

“Don’t worry, I won’t flirt with him ever again.” Abigail passedme a tequila shot as she attempted to reassure me quietly. “Last time I was here in town, Gigi told me he was divorced, so—” She shrugged. “Look, he was single and hot and right there across the street. Convenient, right? But he wasn’t interested in me, and I don’t have feelings for him—at all. So now that he’s yours, it won’t be a thing. Don’t worry.”

“He’s not exactly mine, and I’m not worried. I, uh?—”

“That’s not important now,” Riley cut me off and covered my hand with hers. “We have news, and it’s not great.”

I sighed. “Just tell me. Is Ross going to try to get me back? Because that’s never going to happen. It’s over?—”

“Not quite. He is?—”

“Fuck!” Abigail pointed to the entrance. “He’s right fucking there.” She was aghast. “What the hell is he doing here? Oh my god, Riley?”

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