Page 134 of All We Need

Florence shrugs. “Idunno.Istill plan on getting drunk and talking about penises.Soundsa lot like the sleepoversIwent to as a teen.”

Delete.Delete.Delete.

“You realizeI’mmarrying your brother?”Jogrimaces.

“Rule number one ofAdultSleepoverClub,” my sister whispers—poorly. “Nevername the penis.”

It’s hard to fully regret eavesdropping whenItake inAly’sserene expression.Ilike seeing her with my people, laughing and enjoying herself.

She fits in perfectly, but also doesn’t.It’slike jamming the incorrect piece into the puzzle.Youcan make it fit, but it’ll never look right.Sheshines doing what she loves, as she jets around the world making grown men cry while negotiating deals.

I’m saved from my brooding when my phone rings.

When the area code readsNewYork, my curiosity piques.Aly’sparents?

I excuse myself from the room before answering. “ThisisBooth.”

“Just the man,” an animated voice greets. “ThisisPedrofrom theSilverGoddessinNewYork.Danielpassed me your number.Areyou free to talk?”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

alessandra

I’m usedto leaving a boardroom full of men stunned speechless.Itusually follows me shutting down one of their misogynistic comments or proving thatIactuallyknow whatI’mtalking about.Shockhorror.

Honestly, it’s my favorite pastime.

Having three slightly inebriated women with love-heart headbands bouncing on their heads gawking at me is a first.

“Wow,”Quinnwhispers. “That’s…sorry,I’mat a loss for words.”

Johanna sniffles, looking guilty. “Ifeel awful for being so rude to you when you first arrived.”

Laughter erupts from me, causing them all to stare at me likeI’velost my mind. “Sorry.It’sjust when you berated me, it made me like you even more.”

“Oh.”Johannashimmies her shoulders. “Well, happy to do it again.”

Florence squints at me with one eye. “IthinkIfell in love with you when you fired my brother.Iwish we got it on film.”

I finish raise my glass of wine. “Towomen taking charge.”

“To women taking charge,” they all cheer.

There’s a slight flutter in my chest.

WhenIfirst arrived in town, my mission was to keep my head down.Johannawas an employee, so there were certain appearances to uphold there, but withQuinnandFlorence, what was the point in getting to know them?Forall intents and purposes, they were no one to me.

But as we sit in front of the roaring fire inJohanna’sliving room, wearing our pajamas andGalentine’sDayheadwear,Iwish we’d done this sooner.

They’re important toBooth, and he’s important to me.Outsideof that, they’re wonderful women.Eachwith their own hardships they’ve openly shared, which led to me sharing my own story.

“Unlike these two townies”—Quinnjerks a thumb atJoandFlorence—“I’mnew to town, butI’vegotten to knowMartinpretty well over the last year and there’s definitely a change in him.He’salways ten minutes early for your coffee meetups, andIswear he sits a little taller when you walk in.”

My gaze drops, unsure of how to respond.

“God, sorry, me and my big mouth,”Quinnmutters and picks at a slice of brie on the charcuterie board.

“No.It’snot you,”Iquickly interject. “Ijust can’t work out why he didn’t fight for his wife and child.I’veonly heard one side, but it still doesn’t make sense.”

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