Page 99 of Love is a Game

But Nora smells a story. “Uh-uh. You’re about to getmarried. If something was messy in the beginning, isn’t this the perfect time to hash it out? And who better than us to help?” She gestures around our circle.

“Oh, we don’t have any issues now,” Mia insists. “It’s just that, we started out as a completely fabricated—”

“Mia!” Jess waves an urgent cancel sign in the air. “That’snotfor public consumption.”

Susan scoffs. “‘Public consumption’? Please. We’re practically family here in Blue Mountain Lake. I’ve known Mason since he started school. And look at us—we’re stripped down to nothing. There should be no secrets when we’ve got everything else hanging out.”

Mia hesitates. “Honestly? I’d love to be open about everything. But my reputation—Jess is right.”

“Then let’s all share a secret,” Vivian suggests. “If we all do it, we’re all bound to keep each other’s, right?”

“Great idea!” Nora claps. “Susan?”

Susan adjusts her position against the pool’s slate ledge. “I guess…”

Nora turns to Violet. “You in?”

Violet eyes us warily. “What kind of secret?”

“Well, that depends,” I say. “How big is this thing Mia’s keeping?”

Raquel leans back on her elbows, smirking. “Put it this way, you’ll see her in a whole new light.”

Nora nods. “Okay, then. Abigsecret. So, let’s all share a raunchy one. Then, Mia will tell us hers.”

“That seems fair,” Mia relents. “But, no judgment, okay?”

“Hah. Now this is getting interesting!” Raquel grins. “Can we get champagne in here?”

Mia groans. “Mom, we’re supposed to becleansing.”

“Oh, honey, life is a cycle. You detox, then youretox.”

Jess looks stricken. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. Even if we swear confidentiality, there needs to be a water-tight agreement. And there are staff.”

“Send them away,” Raquel says breezily. “After they bring the champagne. Better make it two bottles in that case.” She waves Kelly over.

Jess still looks unconvinced. “Let’s ask if they have a printer? Because if this happens, it can’t be a handshake. We need actual NDAs. I can set them up and notarize them.”

Raquel cackles. “Honey, you’re even more uptight than Violet. When’s the last time you got laid?”

Violet presses her lips into a thin line.

Mia groans. “Mom,not appropriate.”

“Holy hog balls, Mia—look at us!” Raquel sweeps a hand over our nakedness, barely concealed by the swirling water. “We’re way past appropriate. We’re here to bereal.But fine, I’ll slap a nipple print on your NDA if it means we can get back to the good stuff. Thespicystuff. Because hell, isn’t that what makes life sing?”

As Jess scurries off, Nora and Violet disappear to the restroom, and Vivian and Susan slip into the sauna. And I wonder if the moment has drifted away with them.

But by the time Jess returns, triumphant and waving paperwork like a victory flag, we’ve naturally gathered again under the soothing jets of the central pool. This time with chilled flutes of champagne.

“Alright, ladies, let’s make this official.” Jess motions to Kelly.

Kelly kneels at the water’s edge, setting down towels, pens, and a tray to hold the documents as Jess feeds them to her one by one.

As each woman signs, Jess swiftly stamps and notarizes.

“Huh.” I arch a brow. “You travel with notarization supplies?”

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