“Really good. I’ve been partnering up with other towns, learning about the local history in this entire region. It’s been a lot to take on, but it’s going really well.”
“That’s great. I’m so glad you love it here,” I told her. “What about you, Maeve? You’re not going back at the start of the school year, are you?”
“No. I’ll go back in October. It was so good of Veda to show up a few weeks early, so now I won’t miss as much of the school year, just the first six weeks or so.”
Wyatt walked up to Maeve and wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling her neck. “Veda’s asleep. You should have a couple of hours. I put her in her bassinet, and the baby monitor is on and in the living room. I’m taking Jane with me to Wes’s, so you’ll have the whole house to yourselves.”
Maeve spun around so she was facing him. Her eyes basically had hearts in them as she looked at him with adoration. “You are amazing. I love you so much.” She lifted to her toes and kissed him. I had known Wyatt for years, having been friends with his brother. I’d never expected to see him so besotted, but it fit him.
“You amaze me every day, doll. Relax and enjoy some time with your friends. Hopefully, Veda will cooperate. I make no promises there.”
He leaned in and gave her another kiss, then another, finally pulling back and collecting Jane. I gave her a big kiss before Wyatt left with her.
“Has Wes said anything else about his case?” Iasked.
“Not that I know of. I know he’s still looking into things, but either he hasn’t found anything conclusive, or he’s not ready to share it,” Maeve said.
With no time to waste, we started on our spa night. Claire had thoughtfully brought some aromatherapy candles that we placed on the coffee table in the living room. We spent some time applying our mud masks in the bathroom. Towels and bowls were brought into the living room for us to use for our scrubs. Calming instrumental music streamed from Maeve’s phone. Aurora found a cucumber in Maeve’s fridge and, after asking permission, cut it into rounds for our eyes.
Conversation flowed from topic to topic easily as we laughed and relaxed together.
“So, Luke told me he’s getting divorced. Apparently, Juliet is pregnant. And it’s not his,” I brought up to the group.
“Oh, shit,” Aurora said. She didn’t know Luke well, but hearing that type of news about anybody was bound to give that kind of reaction. Except Maeve and Claire were both not reacting. At all.
“You guys already knew?” I asked, accusation in my voice.
“Yeah. Reid’s the one who found out about the affair initially,” Claire said. “Did you just find out?”
“Yeah. Why? How long have you known?”
“A few weeks. He found out about the baby the day Veda was born,” Maeve said.
“What! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You know I don’t like to gossip. It wasn’t my business to tell,” Claire said. Her integrity was admirable, if not a little annoying.
“I’m not as noble,” Maeve chuckled. “I would have told you, but I figured Luke would. Plus, I’ve been a bit swamped beinga mother of two under two.”
“That’s fair. I don’t know why it took him so long to say something. I would have been there for him if I knew he was going through something like that.”
Three sets of eyes looked at me.
“I’m sure you would,” Aurora said.
“It’s not like that. Scarlett’s dating Eddie now, right?” Maeve said. I loved that she had my back, defending and deflecting for me.
“Yeah. Eddie,” I said, zero enthusiasm in my tone.
I tried to like Eddie. I really did. He was a good guy.
“Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good,” Maeve said.
I lay back on my towel and groaned. I was in the safest place possible, among my favorite people. It was time to tell them my dirty little secret.
“Guys. I have to tell you something.” Silence met me as they all waited for me to continue. “I’ve had a crush on Luke. For, like, a really long time.”
Maeve’s quiet chuckle started first, Claire’s full laugh joining a half second later. Even Aurora was laughing.
