Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,20

She pulls out a chair, sets her cup on the small table, and props her chin in her hands.

“At first I didn’t recognize him. The last time I saw him was so long ago. He’s grown up a lot.”

She purses her lips. “Grown up how?”

“Chelsea,” I sigh.

She giggles. “What are you hiding? A hidden affair? A secret kiss?”

“No.”

“Come on. You’re blushing, and you keep fidgeting. What am I missing?” She narrows her eyes. “Was he an a-hole? My ex’s best man was a piece of shit.”

I shrug. “No, Reed was always respectful and nice.”

“Oh, gotcha. Booorrriinnnggg,” she draws it out and I can’t help but laugh.

“No, I mean he would joke around, was friendly, but I didn’t know him that well. Him and Pete had been good friends since they were younger. Went to college and then to law school together. When Pete and I were with him, it was like Pete only wanted to talk to him. Reed was always the one asking me questions trying to include me while I was trying to grab a little bit of Pete’s attention.”

“Is Pete gay? Is that why you divorced?” she deadpans.

“No,” I answer. “He’s heterosexual, just not monogamous.”

She nods. “Gotcha.”

I turn around to toss out the coffee filter now that it’s done brewing, busying myself to try not to think about my old life and all the feelings that get churned up when I do.

After a moment I still and release a loud sigh. “I thought I was over it,” I admit.

A chair slides along the floor behind me and I turn to face her. “You are.”

“Then why do I want to hammer Reed with a million questions and ask if he ever saw Pete cheat on me? What did Pete say about it? About Jade?”

She wraps her arm around my shoulders. “That’s just normal curiosity and if you ask me you’re more worried about what he thinks about you.”

My head snaps in her direction. “No, I’m not. The last thing I’d ever do is insert myself into someone’s life who knows Pete. Especially the man who witnessed me make the worse decision of my entire life when I said I do.”

“Hmm...”

“Hmm... nothing. It was awkward, he acknowledged me and then hopped in the car before I could say anything.”

“Is he hot?”

I roll my eyes.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Did you get that feeling?”

“What feeling?” I want to deny that I know what she’s talking about, but I do, and I haven’t experienced that in so long.

Her eyes flutter closed, and she inhales a deep breath. “Where you’re floating, and it’s like little fairies are hovering around his head.”

I laugh. “More like my stomach flipping and flopping and my mouth salivating like a Doberman in front of a steak.”

“Ugh, I’m jelly. I’m in a drought. Chicago has lost all its attractive men.” She walks over to the chair again and falls back into it.

“Come to school with me tomorrow and see for yourself,” I joke.

“I might have to take you up on that.”

“Okay, ladies, back to work.” Hannah knocks on the doorframe. “Chelsea come tell me about this new place we can hold the gala.”

Chelsea follows but turns around at the door. “Talk to him tomorrow.”

“No.”

She tilts her head. “I dare you.” Her nose crinkles like she’s testing to see if I’m in fourth grade and don’t want to look like a loser.

I shake my head.

“Didn’t think so. I think I need to see Jade soon.” A conniving smile tilts her mouth and she heads down the hall before I can say anything.

I don’t underestimate Chelsea. She’s the swinging single version of Darcie from St. Pats.

Chapter Four

I didn’t see Reed the rest of the week. He never showed up again during drop-off at St. Pats. So, it was probably like I figured—Weekend Dad.

I didn’t dare ask my mom if she remembered him from my wedding and had seen him during pick-up. Jade never talked about the little boy, Henry. Darcie and Georgia never said another word about him.

Monday morning rolls around again and as usual, I’m a complete shit show on the walk to school. I haven’t had time to get a coffee and Jade is eating a granola bar with a sippy cup full of milk. It was a bad morning for my mom, so we’re on our own today.

“Grandma okay?” Jade asks, slowing her skipping.

My mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and though her illness isn’t to the point that she requires daily care and someone to