Page 100 of Love is a Game

Jess shrugs. “You’d be surprised how often it comes in handy.”

Raquel sniffs. “Can’t decide if that’s impressive or deeply concerning.”

Then Susan hesitates, pen midair. “Is this really necessary?”

Jess gives her a pointed look. “If you don’t want any of this ending up in a ‘tell-all’ memoir or a drunken TikTok rant, then yeah. This protects you as much as Mia.”

Once the last signature is in place and the contracts are safely stowed away, Jess sighs with satisfaction and slips back into the water.

“Now, where were we?”

Raquel pulls herself onto the ledge, waggling her feet in the water. “The spicy stuff. Should I go first?”

Mia groans. “Seriously, Mom. Is there anything youhaven’tspilled? What could possibly be left?”

“Honey, let me tell you—tons.” Raquel tips back her champagne. “The real question is, which story is worthy of the occasion?”

“You know what?” Violet runs a hand over her carefully secured hair. “I can go first.”

“Oh, I think we can save the story of your first kiss for later,” Raquel says dryly.

“Wow, with all these volunteers, we might need a system.” I try to soften the bite in Raquel’s words. “Alphabetical?”

Jess scans the group. “Nope, that means I’d be first.”

“Reversealphabetical?” Mia suggests.

We all take a sip of wine, eyes naturally landing on Vivian.

Vivian hesitates, glancing around the circle. “Okay. Well, a couple of you know parts of this, but not the whole story.” She winces. “Shit—this is tough.”

“Let it out, girl!” Raquel crows. “You’ll feel better. And whatever it is,minewill be worse—guaranteed.”

Vivian exhales. “When Finn was born, I convinced myself I got pregnant in Europe, while I was studying. I didn’t let myself really consider that Brady, the guy I had a fling with the week before I left, was actually his father.”

She turns to Nora with a regretful smile. “Because of that, Finn never knew his dad. Or his incredible grandparents, Nora and Harvey. Not until recently.”

“It really was a huge surprise, Brady with a teenage kid,” I chime in, trying to be supportive. “But, honestly, Vivian, as much as you’ve changed Brady’s life…as one of his close friends, I have to say, we’reallso lucky to get to know you and Finn.”

“Thank you, Penelope.” Vivian gives a warm smile. “That means a lot.”

Raquel pouts. “So thisisn’ta newsflash?”

“Well…” Vivian bites her lip. “Whatisn’treally known is that when I figured out BradywasFinn’s dad, I still didn’t tell him. I held off.”

“Butwhy?” I ask, unable to help myself.

Vivian exhales. “I don’t know if I can fully explain. I mean, I waswrong, so there’s no justification. But maybe the moms here will understand. I was afraid. Afraid of how it would impact Finn. Brady was—”

“A mess,” Nora bluntly interjects. “His lifestyle, the people he surrounded himself with, the whole industry…I spent nightsprayingfor him to be okay.”

Vivian nods, her face pensive. “So when Brady and I reconnected, when we started seeing each other again, I kept it a secret. I put him through this whole…test. Trying to prove to myself that he was worthy of knowing Finn. That bringing them together wouldn’t be a mistake.” Her voice wavers. “But it wasn’t my right to do that.” She turns to Nora. “I’m so sorry.”

Nora reaches for her hand. “Darling, we’re just so happy to have you and Finn in our lives now.”

Vivian’s shoulders sag with relief, but before the moment can get too heavy—

“Next!” Raquel declares, rapidly topping up glasses.

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