Page 62 of The Love Losers

“I’d gathered.”

Wilson slings his arm around Nina, mirroring our pose. “What do you say, Anthony?”

Anthony looks down at me, his expression pained. He might as well mouth the word “no.” It’s obvious he wants to talk to me privately. He’ll expect to discuss our…well, our engagement. But I still don’t know if it’s possible for us to get married. That depends on what Nicole’s able to do in Pennsylvania. And whileI’d trust her with my life, she’s more of a loose cannon than I am. It’s possible it won’t work out, and Anthony will regret the day he met me, just like most people regret the day they met Nina.

Maybe I’m a coward, but I can’t face that yet. I want him to keep looking at me the way he’s been looking at me for the past two weeks. The thought of losing that fills me with a fluttery, panicky feeling.

Besides, someone put up that website countdown and someone called the cops the other night. Nina and Wilson are prime suspects. We’d be derelicting the hell out of our duty if we didn’t take the chance to interrogate them.

And who am I kidding?

Nina may think she’s about to have fun with me, but I’m the one who will be having fun. She needs to be schooled about what happens to people who mess with the people I care about.

Turning back to them, I say, “You know what? Wedohave plans, but there’s always room for two more! We’re going to do some painting and then grab lunch.”

“Oh, it’s one of those wine and paint things?” Wilson says, nodding, then turns to Nina. “That sounds fun, honey. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“It soundsdelightful,” she says flatly. “What’s the address?”

“Why don’t you just follow us?” I say with a grin. “I think mapping apps have ruined our natural sense of direction, so I never use them. It’s all up here.” I tap my head.

“Howinteresting.”

She probably thinks I’m demented now, but I can’t afford to let her Google the address before she gets there.

She’ll come up with an insipid excuse if she finds out where we’re going before we get there. It’ll be harder for her to leave once she’s there.

In fact…

I glance up at Anthony, who looks very much like Mr. Darcy at the beginning ofPride & Prejudice, when he can’t be bothered to pretend to be nice to anyone and no one is better than tolerable. Understandable. I certainly would not want to spend an afternoon hanging out with Roman and his wife. But I need to give Nicole more time.

So I grin at the other couple. “Actually, you know what? Why don’t you carpool with us? It’ssomuch better for the environment. I watched this documentary the other week about baby seals. You’ll drive with us to save a baby seal, won’t you?”

Nina looks like she’s at a loss for words, but Wilson is already nodding eagerly. He’s possibly the most biddable person I’ve ever met. I wonder if he’d join a folk band with us if I asked him nicely.

“Oh, good,” I say, beaming at him. “Iknewyou were an environmentalist. I could see the hunger for justice in your eyes. Well, let’s go! There’s no time like the present. You’ll let me drive, honey?” I add, turning my face up to Anthony. His jaw is flexing, his dimples a mere memory. I’ve thrown a grenade at his day, his life, and I snuggle a little closer into his warmth as an apology…and also because it’s where I’d like to be.

He surprises me by leaning in to kiss my forehead. When he raises his chin, there’s a twist of wry amusement to his mouth, thankfully. He shakes his head slightly and says: “Seems to me you already are. Let’s see where it takes us.”

“Come on.” I wave them over. “Come. The backseat is so roomy, and it’s not even covered with junk like my backseat. Anthony’s tidy. But you must know that, Nina.”

“You don’t like letting anyone drive your car,” she says to Anthony as she shifts her bag to her other shoulder and walks toward us, Wilson the Golden Retriever following in her wake.

I cast a glance at Anthony, who shrugs. There’s something hard in his expression as he says, “I trust Rosie.”

He probably didn’t mean for that to hurt.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ANTHONY

Conversation with my mother

Mother, did you send a wedding invitation to Wilson and Nina?

Yes, didn’t we discuss it?

No

---