Page 145 of Breach of Honor

“Now that dinner is over, what will you be doing? Do you have plans?” Tessa asked, as she did at every event. Her questions almost sounded scripted. Again, weird.

“Well, as you know, it’s smooth sailing after dinner.” I could leave anytime at this point, confident the clean-up crew would handle any issues that might pop up.

“Yup,” Lily interrupted. “And we’re going back to my place. Let me drive. You look exhausted.”

“Gladly.”

“Well, okay, that’s great,” Tessa said. “I’ll see you Monday.”

“Yes. Have a terrific Sunday.” I felt a bit bad that my staff had to work on Labor Day, but we had two weddings next weekend. A three day weekend was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

I scanned the area for Tate and Viv but didn’t see them. I was too tired to search for them, so I left with Lily.

In the car, I breathed a sigh of relief, relishing the chance to sit down. With an hour’s drive to Lily’s place, I closed my eyes to rest them. Before I knew it, I was startled awake when we stopped moving.

Lily put the car in park and smiled. “We’re here.”

“Oh my gosh, I slept the whole way?”

“You also snored.”

“I don’t snore.” I pursed my lips together, trying to recall a time Will might have mentioned that I snored. Nothing came to mind. “Do I really snore?”

Lily laughed, shaking her head. “Come up to the apartment.”

“It’s almost seven. I need to get home. I told Will we’d talk tonight.”

“You told me the same.” She hiked a brow, ready to argue with me.

“Fine.” I did tell her we’d talk. Like it or not, I owed it to her first and foremost.

We entered the apartment and I froze. Tate and Viv were seated on the sofa. Two pizzas, a bottle of wine, tequila, and brownies were arranged on the coffee table. Instantly, my guard went up.

“What’s all this? Why are you here?”

“I told Tate,” Lily confessed without a smidge of regret in her songbird voice.

The bitch.

“How could you? I confided in you.” I turned around to leave.

“Wait!” Tate sprung from the sofa, blocking my departure. “We’re your family. Let us help you figure this out.” He pulled me into a gentle hug. I buried my face in his chest, squeezing my eyes tightly. A few tears managed to escape. I so wasn’t ready for any of this.

“Come on, sweets, nothing you say will go beyond these walls,” Viv assured me.

She rarely called me “sweets.”The nickname had been given to me by Tate and Lily years ago when desserts and candy were the only things to calm my nerves after we’d started our business. Brownies and pies were my indulgences of choice, but any chocolate or sugary treat would do the job.

“I can’t believe how my life is falling apart all around me.” I sniffled, wiping away renegade tears.

“Just sit down. Eat and drink… well, drink water. Given yourdelicatecondition.” Tate winked.

I trusted my friends. They were my family as Tate had said. I knew they’d give up their lives to protect me with every fiber of their being—and my baby.

An hour later and half a bottle of tequila shared among them while I gorged myself on pizza and brownies, I decided to tell them a story.

“Now, listen and try to follow along. I know you’re all impaired.” I giggled, then turned serious.

They nodded enthusiastically.

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