The First Taste (Slip of the Tongue #2) - Jessica Hawkins Page 0,148
firmly. “I actually would like it if you and I could talk sometime in the future, once Andrew is ready, but this isn’t the place.”
She looks me up and down, scoff-laughing. “Why would you and I ever talk?”
“Because I’m Andrew’s girlfriend, and I’m not going anywhere. If you’re back in town, then there’s no way around it. We’ll have to figure this out.”
“Um, no. Sorry to break it to you, but Andrew would never go for you. He doesn’t like snobs.” She tries to step around me.
I block her path. “Say what you want about me, but I won’t let you near Bell without Andrew’s permission.”
She sighs heavily, rolling her eyes. “Okay. I thought you were joking at first, but seriously? I know Andrew’s type, and you’re not it. Maybe you’ve managed to get him into bed—that’s no great feat, even Denise pulled it off.” She checks my expression.
“I know all about Denise,” I say when it’s obvious she’s waiting for a reaction.
She raises her chin and continues. “But you’re deluded if you think it’s more than that. He and I have something special. He even admitted it the other night at Timber, when we had a drink, but even if he hadn’t, I’d know, because I know him. He misses me. He wants our family back together.”
Even though her words are meant to sting, they have the opposite effect. I’m relieved. Andrew could’ve not mentioned talking to Shana at the bar and it wouldn’t have been a lie—but he did. And because he did, I’m not blindsided and left questioning our relationship when I should be focused on reeling Shana in.
“You don’t know anything about the type of woman I am,” I say evenly. “If you did, you’d know manipulation doesn’t work on me.”
“Well,” she shrugs a little, “it does on Andrew, and that’s all that matters. He’ll be eating out of the palm of my hand in no time.”
Behind me, “Happy Birthday” begins, and I pick up Andrew’s baritone leading the song. I smile a little, bolstered by the fact that the longer I stay at this party, the less worried I am about a future here. Now, for instance, Shana is giving me even more reason to dig in my heels in and love Andrew. To protect Bell from getting hurt.
“All right, Shana,” I say. “We can battle it out if you want. But for your sake, I suggest you learn how to live in this new reality. Otherwise, it’s going to be a painful time for you.”
“And I’m sure you’re concerned about my life.”
“I am,” I say. “Very much so. Because you’re Bell’s mother.”
The singing stops, and I turn around just in time to see Bell’s eyebrows knit in concentration as she makes her wish. She blows out the candles at the same moment I feel Shana’s palms against my chest. I stumble backward but keep my balance, even in four-inch heels, because that’s the kind of woman I am.
She looks a little shocked as we stand there, staring at each other. Any urge I might have to retaliate sizzles out. I don’t think she meant to do it. A small part of me feels bad for her. I hope I never get to the point where I feel the only way I can make my point is by shoving someone while they’re not looking.
“Again,” I say, “it’s time for you to go.”
“You’re a terrible person,” she says, sounding less angry than miserable. “Trying to swoop in on another woman’s family.”
“I’m sorry that’s how it looks to you, but it’s not the case. I love Andrew. And even though I don’t know Bell very well yet, I’ll love her too. Because she’s a part of him.”
“Then I feel bad for you,” she says with what sounds like all the venom she can muster. “You’ll get left behind once we work this out.”
“What the hell is going on?” Andrew shouts from behind me as he runs over to us. He gets between us, blocking Shana from my view. “What are you doing here?”
“Andrew, babe,” she pleads.
“Nathan said you just pushed Amelia. What the fuck’s wrong with you?”
I put a hand on Andrew’s back. “It’s okay.”
He whips his head around, his jaw set. “It—is—not—okay.”
“I can handle her,” I say calmly.
He turns back to Shana. “Leave. Now. I told you already—stay away from Bell. Especially when I’m not around.”
“You don’t understand,” she murmurs so softly, I almost can’t hear. “She—Amelia—said vile things to me. That I wasn’t Bell’s mom