me in unison as I walked through the door.
“Hey, guys.” The tables had been lined up in the center, like a long dining table full of food, wine, treats, and containers of flavored milk, which made me laugh. I started salivating at the sight. Of the food, not the people—that would be weird.
I took a seat between Rose and Lily who each wrapped an arm around me. “Don’t make me cry,” I hissed. “Be less nice to me.”
“You got it, bitch,” Lily replied, deadpan.
I smacked a kiss on her cheek with a laugh. “That’s more like it.”
“Wine me.” Piper took the seat across from us and held out a glass. Rose filled it with a chuckle as my mother flitted behind me to stop and kiss the top of my head.
“How are you feeling, darling?” she whispered in my ear.
“I’m good for now. I’m ready to discuss whatever we were supposed to read. I forgot.” I shrugged. This would be the only time I hadn’t read it, or even remembered what it was.
Cade sat on the other side of Lily. “It’s Storm of Swords. You finally chose it for me, and you forgot about it?”
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I read it years ago, so I’ll be good. Promise.”
“It’s okay. I forgive you in advance.” He chuckled softly as he grabbed a tray of mini quiche. “I already know we’re not going to talk about the book. It’s been all baby talk in this place since I got here. I’m happy for you. You had a rough morning and word of it spread around fast.” He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “The word is not good, Vi. Tom told a bunch of people that you’re pregnant and the baby is his. I’m so sorry.”
“Well, I was fine. Working took my mind off everything. But how can I be fine now, or ever again?” A hysterical laugh escaped me before I could control it. “Thank you, by the way. For not arresting Jake.” I inhaled a shaky sigh. “I can’t believe this. Tom has gone crazy, I swear—"
“No one wants Jake in trouble, Vi. And we’re handling Tom, try not to worry.”
“Handling Tom? What do you mean? Who’s handling him?”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about Vi. Just police stuff, right, Cade?” Chiming in was Asher, my big brother, who was seated across from me, next to Piper.. If he knew even a tenth of what was going on with Tom, then he would be the one “handling Tom,” not the police or Ren. Which was yet another reason I had kept a lot of my marriage problems to myself over the years. Ash was protective, and I didn’t want anyone to get into trouble on my account.
“Ash is right. It’s nothing for you to worry about. You already know we’re keeping in touch with Ren. Look! Shit, is that Bethany coming through the door?”
“It is, and I can’t believe it. I mean, what next?” I turned back to Cade to whisper-hiss, “I—please don’t arrest me after I punch her stupid face off. I really, really want to.”
“Don’t do it. Please,” he whispered back. “Or at least let me get out of here first. I’ll be scarred for life if I have to arrest my pregnant big sister.”
“I’m here to talk to Violet,” she announced to everyone in the shop. Of course, discretion was clearly not one of her dominant traits.
“Dude! Turn your ass around and get the hell out,” Piper stood up and shouted. “What the hell are you thinking, showing your face here?”
“Don’t arrest Piper either,” I instructed.
“Don’t worry Cade, you won’t need to arrest me. I am under control,” Piper called out. “I’ve only had one glass of wine.”
“How many times?” Rose asked through a laugh.
“Touché. I pre-gamed at home and it’s starting to hit me.”
Bethany took a few steps from the doorway further into the shop.
“Freeze right there. All we have to say to you, Bethany, is nope. Get out. We’re not gonna buy whatever crap you’re selling,” Piper hollered.
“Look, I get it, Piper. You’re protective—” Bethany started.
“Nuh-uh,” Piper snapped. “Protective is if I go and key your car in the parking lot or TP your house. Maybe somebody would call it protective if I screamed in your face at the Stop and Go or quit holding my tongue and told everyone in town what kind of person you really are. But we’re way past that. You hurt my friend and tried to make her