Page 59 of Rafferty

“Okay,” I say, setting my glass on the side table. “We all know Tansy’s behind this and so Rafferty decided to tell Brienne everything.”

Willa’s hand covers her mouth in shock before falling away. “Oh wow. Really? Wasn’t he afraid Brienne would take Tansy’s side?”

“Yeah. We knew that was a risk, but he’s so angry about all of this, I think he thought it was worth it.” Willa and Mazzy stare at me expectantly. “Oh? You want more of the story?”

I get double eye rolls, which makes me chuckle. “The meeting was very short. Rafferty told her what happened, start to finish. I think Brienne was a little disappointed he didn’t come to her sooner, but she said she would confront Tansy. She was calling her as we were leaving.”

“But that’s her cousin,” Willa points out.

“Yeah, I know. But I got the impression they aren’t that tight. Or at least, Brienne pretty much said their relationship had no relevance to any of this.”

Mazzy leans in. “Foster heard through the grapevine that Tansy’s like a second cousin and is from the West Coast and that she and Brienne aren’t close.”

I nod, because that jibes with what Brienne said. “Brienne didn’t hire her. Doesn’t have anything to do with her position and doesn’t supervise her. Regardless, I think Tansy could’ve been Brienne’s twin sister and I got the impression that Brienne would have set family loyalty aside to make sure the right thing happens.”

“She’s a businesswoman, after all,” Mazzy says with a knowing nod.

“And she’s fair,” Willa adds. “I haven’t been associated with the team very long, but that woman has the unmitigated respect of every person in this organization. I’m not sure she has a character flaw.”

“It’s why this team is going to win the championship this year,” Mazzy says with authority. “They’re all so tight.”

“Except for Penn,” I point out. He was the subject of conversation when we were together the other night. As problem solvers, we women tried to fathom a way for the guys to reach through to him but came up short.

Willa did say though, “King knows something about him. I don’t know what it is, and he wouldn’t tell me, and I’d never push him, but something brewing down deep is causing this behavior.”

“I hope it gets worked out before Penn blows and ruins his place on this team,” I say wistfully. I pick up my drink, prepared to take a sip. “And ruins this team’s chance at the championship. I know one man can’t carry everyone, but Penn is so integral to the success they’ve had.”

“Ugh,” Mazzy says dramatically. “Let’s stop talking about depressing stuff. The new year is starting soon and we have a lot to be grateful for. For example, let’s take a moment to marvel at how we’ve each scored a hot hockey player.”

Unfortunately, I happen to be taking said sip and I inadvertently snort over Mazzy’s proclamation, which isn’t untrue, but completely unexpected. Red fizz shoots out my nostrils, which seems to be an annoying habit I’ve developed, and down the front of my black velvet dress. My eyes bulge as I grab the tiny napkin, wiping my nose and dabbing at my the dark fabric, which easily hides the liquid.

Mazzy cackles, leaning forward with one arm across her stomach. Gasping, she asks, “Am I wrong?”

Willa laughs. “Not wrong. It’s like something out of a movie. Me, the older woman, snagging the younger man—”

“Please,” I scoff at the cougar comparison, setting the drink and napkin aside. “You’re only a few years older than King.”

“Hey,” Willa exclaims, slapping my knee. “Don’t rain on my parade. The age difference used to bother me but now I own that shit.”

Mazzy snickers. “And I slept with my boss. Nanny snags the dad!”

Enjoying the teasing banter, something I really don’t have because this friendship is more mature than the ones I have with my college friends focused on studies and parties, I boast, “Nothing beats the fake girlfriend turned true love, all because of a crazy ex scheming in the background. Boom!”

Mazzy nods, still laughing. “Yeah… you win best meet-cute for sure.”

I chuckle, the surreality of it all still settling in. “And now I’m trying to wrap my head around Raff saying he loves me,” I confess, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

“He did?” Willa gasps, eyes rounding, her hand pressed over her heart. “That’s amazing.”

I nod, smiling at the memory. “Just this morning as we were heading out to meet Brienne. I’m guessing the gravity of it all provoked some feelings and they popped out, possibly unbidden.”

“No way.” Mazzy shakes her head. “Rafferty’s not the type to say things he doesn’t mean. He’s too steady for that. Those words were a manifestation of how he felt before these allegations surfaced.”

“Agreed,” Willa says. “I’ve gotten to know him pretty well and despite his fun-loving ways, he’s as mature as they come on this team. I think you two were destined to find each other and while I never really believed the soul mate thing before, after meeting King, I understand how very real that is.”

Soul mates, I think, rolling the words over in my head. It does seem to fit the depth of my feelings for Rafferty. Yeah… I like that.

Willa sips her drink. “So, what’s next for you guys? Moving in together? Wedding bells?”

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