Page 97 of Calling the Shots

“His mother?”

“Yes. But his sister hasn’t been great either. And wait for it—his ex showed up.”

“No!” Sloane gasps.

“And not just an ex-girlfriend. He was engaged!”

“What?!?” Her voice tips up into a shriek. “Mack—my dad’s friend Mack—wasengaged?”

“Yep. A long time ago, right after college. Her name’s Tinsley and she’s terrible.”

Terrible Tinsley does have a nice ring to it.

“Gorgeous, too, which makes it worse.” I lean back against the pillows. “Thin and perfect. Great skin, nice hair.”

“Gracelyn, you’re more gorgeous, I’m sure. You have the best hair in the whole wide world. And your skin’s always dewy and perfect. Plus, you’re funny and witty and the nicest person on the planet. That girl’s got nothing on you.”

My chest squeezes as Sloane glazes me glossier than a Krispy Kreme donut hot and fresh from the fryer.

“Thanks, bestie. I love you. And I wish you were here because Tinsley is Jamie 2.0, I swear.”

“Yikes.”

“I know. I could totally use the backup. Not that Mack’s not backing me up. He totally would. But I don’t want him to.”

“Why?” Sloane asks the innocent question and I gnaw at my lip, considering.

“I don’t want to drag him into the mean girl shit. It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not, Gracelyn. Let him shut it down.” Her voice is firm and she almost convinces me.

Almost.

“I can’t, Sloane. It’d be too embarrassing. I overheard them talking about me. Twice. Once in the garden and another time in the ladies’ room. I’ll look like a tattletale if Mack mentions it.”

“Probably…” Sloane’s voice drops as we both consider my options.

“Not probably. Definitely. I’m not a snitch.”

She laughs, and my shoulders loosen a touch. I miss my best friend so much right now it actually physically hurts.

“Are you in Atlanta with Cam for the game?”

“Yes. He plays this weekend. But most of the team came up early, to beat the holiday traffic.”

“Nice. What are y’all doing for Thanksgiving?”

“Going to the hotel restaurant. My dad’s pumped.”

I chuckle at this. “Don’t know why. Your mimi always cooks the dinner.”

“She recruits him. Every year, like clockwork.”

“I miss you, bestie.” I can’t hold in my sigh.

“I miss you, too. It’ll all work out, Gracelyn. Things always do.” Sloane’s voice is calm and comforting, and I relax a little, trying to believe her.

“Aren’t you the sage one, now that you’re almost wifed up?” I tease, a touch of jealousy rippling through me. Sloane and Cam are so happy. I want a fraction, a glimmer of what the two of them have.

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