Page 14 of Bad Boy Crush

“You got it.” Donny bent to kiss his wife, lingering long enough for Lou to send Ant a pointed look. He rolled his eyes. Evidently, the Pates did this often.

In the office, a huge room to the right of the foyer, Lou met Faith. She was runway-supermodel tall and slim, and dressed professionally in an A-line royal blue dress, her blond hair tucked into a sophisticated twist. She described the beverage selections with panache. “This mineral water is from Sweden. I recommend adding a lime wedge. Or, if you’re up for it, I have a sparkling French rosé that is to die for.” She plucked the dripping bottle from a bucket of ice and presented it, label out.

“Faith used to be the official wine buyer for Abundance Market. Can you tell?” Sofie asked with a smile.

“I can tell,” Lou said. “Sparkling rosé, please. It’s noon. Well within brunch territory.”

“I like her.” Faith served the wine as Sofie uncovered a tray of crustless cucumber sandwiches and a bowl of fresh strawberries. They settled in, Lou complimenting Faith on the choice of wine. It was exquisite.

“What made you want to host the first day of the Paul Bunyan festival? Seems like a huge undertaking,” Lou started.

“Lisa Labreck,” Faith answered.

Why was Lou not surprised?

“She told us Pate Mansion would be the best place to host in the Cove,” Sofie added. “Wanda has been trying to put a public festival on Pate land for a decade.”

Mayor Wanda Kennedy was wealthy—as in millionaire status, thrice divorced, and had her hands in everything and anything to do with the Cove. And it was money she’d earned herself from businesses she’d bought and sold. Lou was captivated by the mogul.

“Wanda is a badass,” Sofie said. “I want to be that bold and involved in life when I’m her age. But without the string of divorces in my wake.”

“I’m with you on the divorce thing,” Faith said. “Connor forever.”

The women tapped their glasses in a “cheers,” and then two sets of inquisitive eyes landed on Lou. Sofie narrowed hers before she said, “We didn’t know you were with Ant.”

Lou nearly choked on her wine. “We’re friends.”

“Well, you were, until you weren’t for a while. Sorry,” Sofie said gently, as if aware she wasn’t supposed to know as much as she did. “Donny’s known Ant for a lot of years. I have a way of prying out his secrets.”

“And his friends’ secrets, apparently.” Lou raised an eyebrow. “It’s not a secret, though. We were friends. We had a falling out. And now…we’re finding our way back.”

“What’d he do?” Faith asked this matter-of-factly, which made Lou suspect she’d been single and skeptical once.

Lou decided to share at least one gory detail. “My ex, uh, he cheated. Ant found out about it and didn’t tell me.”

Faith gasped.

“I think he was planning to tell me,” Lou rushed to add, not wanting to vilify him. “But my ex and Ant were friends too. I’m not sure he knew what to do. I sure as hell didn’t.”

“Ant is loyal. He was probably torn,” Sofie agreed. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

“I am too. But you’re in good company.” Faith leaned forward in her armchair to clink glasses with Lou’s. “My ex cheated too. It’s why I left Abundance Market. The girl he cheated on me with worked there. They moved away. Thank God.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I could share a town with my ex either,” Lou put in. “It’s bad enough sharing a state.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear your friendship is on the mend. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot and accuse you two of having a romantic connection.” Sofie reached for a strawberry and gestured with it as she talked. “Once you’re settled and have a family, you start rooting for everyone else to find their true loves.”

“You both have very handsome husbands, and beautiful children.” Lou had met Connor in passing at Brady’s house. The built, blond landscaper wasn’t easily overlooked. “Well, I assume your child is beautiful,” she told Faith. “I haven’t met her yet.”

“Hazel is with my sister this weekend since Sofie and I had to catch up on work, but yes. She’s beautiful.”

“I can attest to that.” Sofie nodded. “So, should we get back to it?”

“Sure.” Lou picked up a cucumber sandwich and returned to her mental list of interview questions. “Tell me all about your epic plans for day one of the Paul Bunyan festival…”

* * *

Donny and Ant, beers in hand, walked out into the wide-open yard. A firepit was off to the left, flanked by two wooden benches that used to be downed logs—both Ant’s handiwork. The arch Donny and Sofie had wed beneath sat behind that, its intricate detailing partially covered by vining flowers.

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