Page 32 of Sprite Wedding
“No way,” Nova replied in a surprised tone. “He seems so happy at the Network, and everyone loves him.”
“And we know for damn sure he’s happy with you,” Gianna added.
I bit my bottom lip. “Maybe so,” I agreed. Then I tipped my head. “But is it enough?”
“Of course, it’s enough.” Gianna motioned to me. “You may be petite, but you pack a lot of personality and attitude in there,” she added with a laugh.
“You know what they say about short people,” Nova added.
“They need help reaching the top cabinet?” Gianna quipped.
“Ha ha,” Nova replied. “Yes, that’s absolutely true. I’m always bugging Diego to get things up high for me. But what I was saying? The old good things come in small packages adage.” She brought her fingertips together and smirked. “That’s why we’re called fun size.”
“Cheers to my fun friends,” Gianna toasted and then sipped her margarita.
I took a sip, the salt from the rim clashing with the sweetness of the drink. “It’s more than the dancing,” I admitted.
“Oh?” Nova said.
“Yes. He reveled in the attention at the club. Women who were his regulars begged him to come back. I’ve seen one who was adamant in her car near the house a couple of times.”
“You don’t think…?” Nova asked.
She didn’t finish the question, and she didn’t have to. That was what was on my mind, bothering me.
“He wouldn’t!” Gianna slapped both hands on the table, sending our margarita glasses jolting. “He better not. I swear on Poseidon’s trident, if Lucas is cheating on you, I will twist his nut sack into a pretzel and shove it into a pack of trail mix!”
“Easy.” I attempted to calm her. “You don’t need to go anywhere near Lucas’s private parts.” Gianna could be fierce when protecting her friends. I was grateful that she was willing to go there for me, but not at the expense of Lucas’s body parts. “I didn’t say he was.” I didn’t want to accuse him of cheating on me when I had zero proof of that. “Since I’ve been cheated on before, I may be overly sensitive to any signs.” I turned to Nova. “But I have to ask—have you seen a tall woman with straight black hair lurking around the house lately?”
She arched a brow. “Aside from Gianna?”
“My hair is dark brown with red streaks,” Gianna clarified. “Not black.”
“Right.” Nova glanced at her and then me. “No. I can’t think of anyone with that description.”
I nodded. When I exhaled, some tension drifted from my shoulders. I rolled them back, followed by circling my neck. “Maybe I’m being a tad too suspicious.” I pressed my lips together. “Then again, it makes more sense for him to want to live that life than to be stuck with one woman, wouldn’t it?”
“Absolutely not,” Gianna protested. “You’re his mate!”
“He didn’t believe he’d ever find a mate before he met me.” I brought my hands together on my lap. “Maybe this whole thing between us was a fluke. He was being Lucas, caught up in the excitement of something new. My novelty is over.” I motioned at an unfixed location outside. “Besides, there’s more excitement out there than what I’m able to give him.”
Nova and Gianna exchanged a look, one I interpreted as them agreeing I had a damn good point.
“Zoe, don’t go there. I’m sure there’s an explanation,” Nova said.
I faced her. “Weren’t you the one who warned me before we started dating that he wasn’t the type to settle down?”
She reddened and turned away. “That was a mistake. I was wrong to say that about Lucas. Besides, once he met you, everything changed.”
“Do people everreallychange?”
Nova turned toward the door. “Pandora and Cassandra are coming.”
“Let’s not talk about this anymore,” I said. I’d already revealed too much of my private thoughts, which I typically kept to myself.
Pandora greeted us. “Hey, ladies.” Her glossy black hair appeared freshly straightened, especially her bangs. She wore more makeup than usual, in a goth style, and a silky, sleeveless, burgundy shirt over black pants.
“You’re both looking good.” Gianna pushed over in the seat. “Come sit. Have a drink.”
