Page 82 of Why Not Forever?

I turn to Tanner. “Would you mind giving us a minute? Get yourself a drink, maybe try to find Spencer, Derek, or Adalie. I’ll find you in a bit.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, and I know what he’s really saying. My problems are his problems, and if Emily is a problem, he’s happy to stand next to me as I deal with her.

I kiss him lightly on the lips. “Oui, mon cher.”

His lips curl into a smile. “Tish. That’s French.” He kisses me again, then nods and turns to Emily and Madeline. “Ladies. Good night, Emma. It was so nice to see you again.”

I bite my cheek to keep from smiling as he walks away. Then I look at Emily.

“Who I marry has nothing to do with you. We broke up over two years ago. As for what you said, I never hated Tanner. I was angry, and I took that anger out on him when he didn’t deserve it. And for your information, Tanner is nothing like my father. Unlike my father, Tanner says what he means and means what he says. I trust him completely. What’s more, he trustsme. Which is something you never did.”

She glares at me. “I can’t help it if every time you were with Spencer, it was clear how you two were obviously into each other.”

Madeline looks between us, her mouth dropped open and eyes wide. I feel bad because she didn’t ask to get dragged into this mess.

I close my eyes and sigh because I don’t have any interest in having this fight again. When I open them, I say, “Spencer and I have never been interested in each other. As I said to you—over and over—dating him would be like dating my brother.”

She sneers. “How does your new husband feel about it?”

“Tanner has never thought there was anything between me and Spencer. And he’s known me a hell of a lot longer than you have. I’m done here, Emily. We’re not together. We’re both in relationships with other people.” I motion to where Madeline is watching us with concern. “It is none of your business who I’m married to or who I spend time with. You and your friends and girlfriend are welcome at all Blue Vista events if you buy tickets. I hope you have a good night.” I glance at Madeline again. “And I hope you’re happy.”

Then I turn and walk away. I find Tanner with Spencer and Lis, both in skeleton costumes, but with Lis’ including a little baby skeleton over her rounded belly. None of them look exactly happy as they talk.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as I reach them. Tanner slides his arm around my waist and kisses my temple, a gesture he’s done a hundred times or more since we officially started dating.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Of course I am. Nothing Emily can say is going to hurt me. Not anymore.”

Lis grins. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“You never did say what finally made you break up with her,” Spencer says, and I meet Lis’ eyes.

I hadn’t wanted to make a big deal about it when it happened, but Lis had come into my office that day and I’d told her everything. She had kept my confidence back then, and I had been grateful for it.

I swallow and turn to Spencer.

“She told me I couldn’t be with her and be friends with you. She said if I loved her, I’d stop spending time with you. I realized then that if someone lovedme, they’d never ask me to choose between them and my best friend.”

Tanner’s arm tightens around me and I know he’s angry, but Spencer looks confused more than outraged.

“How did she think that was going to work? We own Blue Vista together. We would have seen each other almost every day, anyway. I was also living with you still. And if you couldn’t see me anymore, what was going to happen if you were hanging out with Derek and Adalie? Did she want you to cut them out as well?”

“I don’t know. She wasn’t ever jealous of them, but now you mention it, you’re right. It never could have worked unless I left Blue Vista and stopped being friends with all of you.”

“Which would have made you resent her, eventually,” Lis says. Then she kisses Spencer’s cheek. “I’m going to check on the kitchen.”

Spencer snorts. “It’s your night off. You’re supposed to be having fun.”

She gives him a bright smile. “Being in the kitchenisfun. You can come with me if you want. Make sure I’m not doing any heavy lifting.”

He laughs and waves to us as he follows his wife.

“That was code for they’re-going-to-fuck, wasn’t it?” Tanner asks.

I turn to him. He hasn’t removed his arm from around my waist. It’s nice to have him holding me. “Almost certainly.”

“You want to go down to your office and have sex on your desk?” he offers.

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