My free hand flew to the bridge of my nose, pinching against the headache beginning to form. “Yes.”
Hannah jumped in. “Oh,pleasetell me you gave him a private little lingerie show and then got down on your knees to pray to the altar of his hot-as-hell body.”
“If only.” I scoffed.
“It didn’t go well,” Dakota explained.
“Correction: it started off great, but nobody got a happy ending—if you know what I mean—and I ended up taking my own car back to the hotel for some alone time. By the way, Lucy, you’re so smart for adding sex toys to your storefronts.”
Lucy beamed with pride. “Thanks. But I’m confused. You were prancing around, wearing next to nothing, and he didn’t pick up what you were putting down?”
“He started to. I mean, a crotchless teddy is hard to resist. But then he put a stop to things when he remembered that I’m still dealing with the demons left behind by Nix.”
Sympathy shone in Natalie’s warm brown eyes. “I’m sorry.”
I waved a hand. “It’s fine. Guess it’s what I get for letting him use me for so many years. I’m paying for it now.”
Hannah’s lips twisted in thought. “This doesn’t make any sense. He rearranged Levi’s face because he said or did something to you in that karaoke bar in Indy. Maddox wasn’t keen on learning that’s who your ex was, but still. He’s seriously punishing you for getting sucked in by a sleazeball who had no problems bragging about how he was using you?”
I averted my gaze as shame burned at hearing her say everyone knew what a fool I’d been for staying with Nix. I could only imagine what these women must think of me, especially since they were all happily attached to good men.
The other redhead in the room, Amy, raised her hand. “I’ve got this one. Only because when I was too close to the situation myself, I couldn’t see it for what it was.” Her green eyes, almost as vibrant as Maddox’s, met mine. “He’s trying to protect you. Am I close?”
Stunned, I stared at the group before me. Their tight-knit reputation was something to be coveted, but until this moment, I hadn’t been able to appreciate how each of them came with a different perspective wrought from life experiences that made them a valuable asset when you felt your life was crumbling.
“Uh, yeah. That’s exactly it,” I said in a daze.
Dakota crossed the room, plopping down beside me and looping an arm around my shoulders. “Crazy how, no matter what, someone knows how you feel, right?”
I huffed out a laugh. “It’s kinda freaky.”
Liv had a sleeping Theo tucked against her chest. “You’ll get used to it. Took me a minute.”
Amy gave me a knowing smile. “Does he think he’ll hurt you? Is that why he’s keeping his distance?” The way she said it made it seem as if that had been the hangup with her husband.
“No.” I shook my head. “He thinks I need space to sort out my shit.”
Her eyebrows rose. “He said that?”
I shrugged. “Not exactly. I think he’s worried he’s gonna end up being my rebound from Nix, and he wants more. I believe his exact words were, ‘I’m happy to wait until you’ve shed the past’.”
Natalie sighed. “So that’s what Jaxon was talking about.”
“Excuse me?” I was lost again.
“He mentioned something about Maddox not understanding that past trauma isn’t easily overcome, especially not alone. They must’ve had a chat at some point.”
The pieces clicked into place. “That tracks. When he followed me outside, he apologized, saying he should have offered to help carry the burden instead of sitting on the sidelines.”
“So, you two are good now?” Dakota hedged.
“Maybe? We shared this really great kiss thatsomeoneinterrupted.” I slid a side-eye to Hannah, who didn’t show any signs of being apologetic. “And I think he was upset when I didn’t leave with him. I don’t know where we go from here.”
My best friend leaned her head on my shoulder. “I think when we get home, the two of you really need to talk. It seems like you have pieces of conversations but never a full one. Don’t become one of those couples who think they can read the other one’s mind. It never ends well.” Humor filled her voice. “And peoplehatea miscommunication trope. Believe me.”
That got me to laugh, and I hugged her. “You’re right. Thanks for setting me straight.”
When we pulled back, she smiled. “Maybe someday, I’ll be the maid of honor in your wedding. Or matron. Is that how it works?” She looked to the other ladies for clarification.
