Page 27 of Fake Coral and Keys

“Daisy could probably use your ideas.” I glance back at Daisy. Knowing someone in the industry would be perfect for helping her promote her work once she’s published.

“Daisy?”

I nod, watching Daisy jump and kick her foot back behind her. I chuckle at her silliness. “When she publishes her novels.”

Justine’s loud laughter makes me look at her. A strangled choke erupts again. “Daisy’s novels?”

Fuck.I shouldn’t have said anything.Stupid, stupid, stupid.Her amusement makes me simultaneously angry and horrified. I don’t think—no, I know for certain now—I must be the only one Daisy has confided in about her books. I’m such an idiot. And I blurted it out to the one person who obviously has some weird obsession with Daisy and her ex.

Justine seems to recover and leans in conspiratorially. “Daisy has written a book?”

I lean back in my chair, trying to calm my pulse. If I act like it’s no big deal, then Justine will think it’s no big deal. I shrug. “Daisy may have mentioned wanting to? Or something like that.”

“Fitting.” Justine makes a small sound that lands close to a snicker. “Daisy is a bit of a storyteller.”

I glance back at her and catch her watching my face.

Do not take the bait. Do not take the bait.

Justine leans back in her seat and sips her drink, knowing damn well she’s hooked me. “After Jim, she made up quite a few stories about me.”

“What stories are those?” I ask, sipping my drink and silently screaming at myself for biting just like she wanted me to.

She waves her hand around like she’s pushing away the words. “Oh, I don’t want to make you think less of her.”

“I wouldn’t think less of anyone overhearing gossip,” I say with a bit more snark than I intend.

Justine gives me a sweet smile. I wonder how anyone can behave so abhorrently and smile simultaneously. I wonder, too, how I let her suck me into this conversation.

She leans back in her chair, watching the group of women. “Daisy was such a mess after Jim. I can’t really blame her for being so vile.”

My heart skips at her words. As much as I want to know more about this Jim guy, it doesn’t feel right hearing anything about it from this woman. I shift in my seat and lean forward. If I ignore the statement, she’ll realize the subject is inappropriate and invasive.

“Well, you know all about it anyhow,” Justine continues. “But I imagine getting hit like that would mess anyone up.”

A cold wave washes over me, freezing my blood.Hit?Daisy was with someone who hit her? My suspicions yesterday were spot on. Daisy was uncomfortable with that ass because of her past. I knew I read the situation right.

Justine must see my rigid shoulders and my brain spinning wildly because she continues, “That first day I saw him, I told her to leave him,” she says. “I mean, who screams at their girlfriend in public?”

I clench my teeth. “I thought you said you ran into them in a restaurant,” I say and again yell at myself.Stop talking. Stop asking questions.

“Yes, outside one.” She glances at Daisy. “I just left out the part where he was screaming at her and pushing her around.”

Desperately wanting—noneeding—to escape this awful conversation, I push away from the bar and stand. Images of some asshole screaming at Daisy —hittingher — swim in my head, making me feel sick. Justine has no right to discuss any of this with me. Then again, I told her I knew all about Jim. But she’s what? Just talking to Daisy’s current boyfriend abouther abusive ex because she’s concerned? This doesn’t feel like concern. This feels like betrayal and manipulation.

“But then, she started those rumors about me,” Justine says quietly. “I think she just was angry that I had suggested she tell her family that she had to go to the hospital that one time.”

It feels like I’m about to combust. Part of me wants to know more. Part of me wants to run. “Hospital?” The way the word escapes my mouth gives away my obvious shock.

Justine winces. “Oh, sorry. I thought you knew.”

I take a deep breath and down my drink. Everything in me screams to move away, to run to Daisy and wrap her up so nothing can hurt her, but I’m rooted to the ground.

“At any rate, it’s all in the past.” Justine’s smile appears warm, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “All the threats she made to tell everyone I was messing around with her boyfriend were just a way to deflect. She was in pain and lost. I forgave her a long time ago.”

I set my glass down with aclink, hard enough that Forest looks over from his seat several feet away. I turn back to Justine and make sure the smile on my face appears relaxed, even though my insides feel knotted up and ready to explode.

“I’m glad you had the foresight to keep Daisy’s personal life private,” I tell her. “We all know how toxic it is to gossip about friends and family.”

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