Page 98 of Love is a Game

“Geezus, Brady! Did Pen tell Vivian she’s thinking about a baby, like,with me?”

“I don’t think so?” he wavers. “Basically, Viv said Pen’s thinking about having a kid. Viv told her she should go for it. That was about it.”

“And thenyoutold Vivian I want to be involved?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Oh…yeah.” He nods.

I exhale. “Great.”

“What’s the problem?” he asks.

“Well, now they’re all out there sipping cocktails and getting massages together. What do you think they’re talking about? What if they all tell her it’s a bad idea?”

“Isn’t your mom with them?” Brady says brightly. “Susan will probably love the idea!”

“Fuck.” I cringe. “I can’t have my whole future decided by a bunch of women getting tanked on daiquiris all afternoon! Everything’s on the line here— ”

Brady holds up a hand. “Tuck, you’re spiraling, dude. Relax. Viv’s not gonna say anything. Well, at least not unless Pen brings it up. They’re probably talking shopping, or horoscopes, or…makeup?”

I stare at him. “That’swhat you think women talk about when they’re alone?”

He rubs his neck. “I mean…yeah? Why—do you think they’re swapping notes on their sex lives or something?” His face suddenly twists in horror. “Dude. Ourmothersare there.”

I groan.

“No. No way,” Brady says, like he’s trying to convince himself as much as me. “I’m telling you, they’re probably talking about gardening, I don’t know…organic candles. Nothing exciting. Nothing to panic about.”

“Right. Perfect.” I shake my head, completely unconvinced. “Great chat, Brady.”

I turn for the door.

“Wait! Of course—” Brady slaps his forehead. “The wedding!That’swhat they’ll be talking about. Wedding dresses, cakes, floral arrangements. They can go all day on that stuff.Phew…yeah, that’s it.” He nods, as if saying it enough times will make it true.

And I wish I could believe him. But I know Pen. Today’s mission objective is to dodge wedding talk at all costs. She wants to avoid any scrutiny about the dress.

So what deep and meaningful subject will she drum up instead?

Chapter 30

Penelope

It’s an innocent enough question.

But Mia immediately becomes uncharacteristically cagey. And Jess, visibly tense.

“You want to know how Mason and I first met?” Mia repeats, suspiciously. “Why?”

I frown. “Isn’t that, like, a normal thing to ask when someone’s getting married?”

“Well, it’s public knowledge,” Jess cuts in, a little too quickly. “Mason stopped to help Mia out of a traffic altercation—didn’t realize who she was because of the disguise we came up with, right Mia? The wig, the dentures—”

“But why are you asking?” Mia’s jaw tightens. “Did Mason say something different? To you or Tuck? Wait…toBrady?” She flicks to Vivian. “What have you heard about it?”

Vivian blinks. “Er, I just know this is your second engagement. The first time, something went wrong, you broke up, then got back together…”

Mia exhales sharply. “Right. And honestly, I don’t know why I did it but—”

“Mia,” Jess interjects, voice firm, “I think we can leave it there.”

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