Page 49 of Almost True
John’s mouth slid up into a sly smile. “That’s right. Next weekend when you take Madeline Reynolds on a date.”
My stomach flipped. “Yep.”
He grinned full-out at me. “Proud of you. Seriously. Wasn’t sure you’d go for it, but it’ll be great.” He patted me on the shoulder as he walked past, breezing toward the front door. “I’m out. Talk to you tomorrow.”
My “Yep” fell into a silent room. He was probably already into his car and would text me when he got home. It was an unspoken habit, and a small way he took care of me. It’d been long enough since the accident, I probably didn’t need it anymore, but I always appreciated it.
A few minutes later, I’d showered and taken care of the necessities after checking in on a sleeping Luca. My phone lit up with a text from John saying he’d made it home, but my eye snagged on the message just below. A response from Maddie.
“I’d love breakfast. Just got back from dropping my mom at the airport.”
I tapped out a response, my pulse spiking at the thought of her on the roads so late.“That’s such a long drive this time of night. Glad you made it back safe.”
In seconds, her reply popped up.“The Silverton Airport, don’t worry.”
I laughed soundlessly. Of course, her wealthy, upper-crust mother had flown from the Silverton airport. Only chartered and private flights came and went from the small airfield here, but it got enough traffic thanks to all the high-profile people that Julian Grenier’s investment had been a sound one—no surprise. I pushed away the embarrassment over my ignorance and shoved on.
“So, what time works?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Maddie
Quinn held out her hand, sparkling with her engagement ringanda wedding band, chuckling as I took it.
“Well, aren’t you two sneaky!” I gawped at the gorgeous set, pulling her into a quick hug and shaking my head. She was absolutely beaming. Just literally glowing with happiness.
Apparently, she and Julian had ambushed all their friends on Saturday afternoon and flown them to Vegas for their wedding. They’d worked out all the details, and the only people who’d had any idea were Quinn’s family, Jamie Morris and his wife, and Dahlia, who’d coordinated flowers.
Everyone laughed and recounted the dramatic reveal. They’d all been told to meet at the Silverton Airport, and Julian hadtwojets to take everyone. He’d hauled them all to Vegas, put them up at one of the hotels, and brought them back late in the day on Sunday.
“I’m sorry we didn’t pull you into our evil scheme. I wasn’t sure your mom would appreciate you being kidnapped after recent events.” She flared her eyes and made a face that had me laughing.
“She wouldn’t have, for sure. She was already upset I’d left during the day. Plus, I wouldn’t have expected an invite to such an intimate, special event.”
No part of me felt bad or left out. I loved that Julian had done something so adventuresome and free. It had to be Quinn’s influence, because when we’d interacted in the past, I’d never gotten the “fly my friends to Vegas and marry my fiancée” vibe from him.
Quinn nodded. “Fair enough, though I hope you know you would’ve been very welcome. We wanted it full of people who support us. Dear friends and family. We’re new friends, sure, but you’re already a part of us.”
Sarah squeezed my shoulders from behind in a little hug, and Dahlia toasted her wine from her seat by the fire pit in my back yard. The summer evening had turned cool, and I couldn’t resist the luxury of a small fire on a cooling night with the sweet smell of pine and sage surrounding us.
Calla hadn’t been able to come since the travel had worn her out, and she wasn’t feeling well, though she’d assured everyone she was just fine. And Sadie sat next to Dahlia and cradled her wine, smiling at me like she agreed with everyone else.
My heart lurched. How had they accepted me so quickly? We were new friends, baby friends, and here they were opening their arms to me. I’d shared a lot of myself that first girls’ night, and they’d clearly sensed my need to connect, to share. Or maybe more accurately, to unload. But this openness and welcoming, this willingness to accept me as part of them even though I was here as a transient guest? It nearly gutted me. And it absolutely drew a line under any doubts about coming tonight.
I’d waffled. Wavered. Wondered if I’d feel out of place after hearing about the wedding fun and if they might want it to be just their original group. Sarah and Dahlia had both individually assured me they wanted me to come. I’d had a chat with Dahlia yesterday, and she’d given me a quick update, but we’d had to cancel our lunch. Instead, she’d set up this evening and insisted I come. Then I’d insisted that at least I take a turn hosting, and they’d all agreed.
My eyes were verging on wet, and I cleared my throat. “Well, that’s truly an honor. Thank you,” I finally said, hoping it hadn’t come unnaturally late.
“Don’t thank us. Tell us about you! How was your mom? How’s Aidan? Have you fallen in love with Luca yet?” Sarah asked in rapid succession like she’d been holding back.
I chuckled and accepted a glass of wine Quinn shoved in my hand, ever the bartender even at someone else’s house, before taking a seat on a cushion next to Sadie and Dahlia.
“My mom is gone, bless her. She apologized when she left, actually.”
Quinn’s brows raised as she folded herself into a cushioned chair in the circle around the fire. “I didn’t take her for a woman who did that kind of thing.”
I chuckled. “You’re not wrong. But I think some of her criticism was coming out as a weird version of grief. I know it doesn’t totally make sense, but between her apology and my check-in with my therapist this week, I think that was it. She hates to be out of control and what could make a woman like that feel less out of control than nearly losing her daughter to a crazed stalker?”
