Page 104 of Love is a Game

She lifts a brow. “Consider it handled.”

True to her word—since Virginia has always been impressively direct and just the right amount of terrifying—fifteen minutes later, I’ve successfully rounded up my responsibilities: three inebriated women, their shoes, bags, and phones.

Finally, I can get the hell out of here.

Vivian sighs from the back seat, dabbing at her blouse. “My god. This is silk.”

“White vinegar.” Pen waggles a finger at the stain. “Or is it lemon juice?” She twists in her seat, struggling with the seatbelt.

After a few failed attempts, she finally clicks it into place. “Or is it—” She pauses dramatically, already bursting into laughter. “The nectar of an…angiosperm?”

That does it. They all dissolve into hysterics, laughter tumbling over itself like a runaway train.

“Oh god, I’m going to wet myself!” Mom gasps between wheezes.

“What?” Horrified, I glance over at her contorted shape. “Are you serious?”

She waves a hand dismissively, tears in her eyes. “Not entirely.”

Oh. god.

Vivian manages to come up for air, still breathless. “Angio-sperms! That’s so funny…wait—what are they again?”

“Flowering plants,” Mom replies, wiping her eyes. “According to Nora.”

And just like that, the laughter erupts all over again.

I glance into the rearview mirror, wary. “Been sharing a lot of gardening advice, then?”

Exchanged looks. Increased laughter.

“More like…spermadvice.” Vivian grins, eyes gleaming with tipsy mischief.

Fuck.

“No, no, no.” Mom claps her hands in a firm, schoolteacher way. “We can’t talk about it, remember? We signed NDAs.”

“Huh?” I glance at her. “How drunk are you?”

“Jess made us,” Vivian confirms. “We couldn’t hear Mia’s secret about their first engagement until we all signed.”

“You mean theirfakeengagement?” I ask.

Silence.

“You knew about that?” Pen exhales.

“Sure. Didn’t you?” I shrug. “I mean, it was a whirlwind, right? Mason never mentioned meeting a legendary movie star. Next minute, he’s engaged to her.”

“I thought they must have just been discreet for a while…” Pen trails off.

“Nope. Faked it. But then they actually fell for each other. For real.”

“Well, Tuck.” Mom turns serious. “You absolutely cannot tell anyone!”

“I can’t believe you knew!” Vivian exclaims. “Does this mean Brady knew? Did he know and not tell me?”

“I don’t think he knew,” I say firmly. A small favor I can do him.

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