Page 48 of Cocky M.D.
Ridley covered her mouth as she coughed for attention then said, “Carter and I said we’d marry instead of fighting each other for custody of Chelsea. I didn’t think I was pretty or fun like the rest of you, but in the deal, I got to marry the guy I’d always had a crush on but never believed myself his equal. Now I see he loves me, and I love him, and it was my own doubts that were my biggest problem.”
Indigo clinked glasses with her.
Georgie said, “Ridley, you’re amazing.”
She lifted her chin. I’d always thought Ridley was stunning, but she practically glowed as she said, “Thanks.”
I guessed doubts were normal for us all, but Ridley had the biggest heart of all of us.
For a moment, we all drank, then Indigo tapped on the table and said, “Nicole?”
Nicole’s eyes grew wide. “Well, you were there, Olivia, when I almost didn’t marry my prince. I didn’t want to give up on my blog.”
I’d enjoyed being a teacher, but soon I wouldn’t have that job. I had nothing left to lose. I wasn’t like any of them. I sucked on my bottom lip then asked, “So you are all telling me this because if I love Johnny, then I shouldn’t seek to change him or change something in myself? And if it’s me, I don’t know what I have left to give up. I need to find a new job.”
“No!” Georgie said. “That’s a bad idea.”
Indigo reached out and took my hand. “You can always work for me.”
PR wasn’t my thing, and I had no interest in the financial world. She was the whiz kid, not me. I smiled and said, “You’d be a hard boss, Indigo. I’ll be okay.”
Stephanie poured more wine for everyone and said, “You will be. I know from experience.”
For one second, I stopped thinking about Johnny and asked, “Stephanie?”
She returned everyone’s glasses. “Look, my fiancé cheated on me with my roommate. I still want to destroy them both half the time, and I get so sad.”
Ridley asked, “I thought you were moving on.”
Stephanie stared right into my soul as she said, “It’s impossible. I’m trying, but if he says he can’t love you… believe him.”
My heart twisted. My anger had blocked me from asking the right questions. She was probably right about saving myself, but my heart whispered that I’d probably blown my shot at happiness. I sipped my wine and said, “I guess.”
Then our conversation turned more pleasant, and catching up was fun, but my skin still craved Johnny’s touch. And I would never get to tuck Bradley in and read him a book again. But I kept those thoughts to myself.
I yawned. “Look, I’m tired. I’m going to go home.”
Indigo asked in a stern tone, like my life was a boardroom discussion, “Are you going to see him again?”
“I don’t know. Probably not. Definitely not tonight.”
I wobbled a little as I stood, having had a bit too much to drink, so I grabbed my coat and phone and decided to use a car service app.
As I woke up my phone to find a ride, it beeped with a message. It was from Bradley.I’m coming over.
Ridley called, “What happened? Did Johnny text?”
My mind raced, and I massaged my temples. “It was his son, Bradley.” It was like I couldn’t move for a moment. Then I took a deep breath and said, “I think… Bradley’s run away.”
Right.I opened my app and ordered a car as Ridley asked, “How can we help?”
None of them even knew Bradley. “He’s messaged me. I have to tell Johnny.”
Georgie tapped everyone’s shoulders and said, “We’ll help.”
“Thanks. I need to get home fast in case he’s already there.”
“Take my car. I was hoping you’d ask.”
