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“Not if you put enough clotted cream on it,” Danica says, looking posh in an emerald-green wrap dress with a tulip hem and three-quarter sleeves. She wears a pair of vintage ivory gloves and points a finger at Kiera. “I am not going to be in favor of doing away with scones. But I agree on the champagne.”
Kiera and Danica argue over whether the next party should include scones and I merely sip at my champagne, enjoying the cute, over-the-top bickering.
These women… I can’t even begin to describe how easy they are to be around. Even billionaire Brienne Norcross is so genuinely down-to-earth, I felt immediately comfortable as soon as I crossed her threshold.
Not all of the Titan Queens are here. Sophie’s on her honeymoon and Harlow and Ava left today for summer vacations with their men. Tillie’s still in New York, apartment hunting with Coen. Lilly is working at her family’s deli, and I find it adorable that apparently Boone is there with her. I met her at the wedding yesterday and my heart breaks for all she’s been through and yet swells with admiration when I see her resilience. She gives me hope.
I’m so lucky to be a part of this group and I feel quite grateful to Callum for pushing me to do this.
I glance at my watch and note that he’ll be here to pick me up soon. I had planned on driving myself, but he offered to chauffeur. While I was more than able to drive myself to a tea party, Callum smirked at me over coffee this morning. “You’re going to get drunk today.”
My face, I’m sure, looked as affronted as I sounded. “I most certainly will not. It’s a tea party. We’ll be having little sandwiches and tea.”
Callum chuckled. “Oh, trust me… there will be alcohol. You ladies probably won’t even touch the tea.”
I’m not sure how he knew that, but he wasn’t wrong. I accepted his offer only because he was going to play racquetball with Gage and the gym is in the general vicinity, so it made sense.
While I’m not drunk, I am very, very tipsy, as are the other women. I imagine there are going to be some Ubers called, just like the last time we got together.
Brienne garners my attention from the scone argument. “How are things going with Callum?” she asks me.
I jerk in my seat, my fingers gripping the champagne glass upon being called out. Especially since Kiera and Danica go silent and all eyes come to me.
“Why would you ask that?” I croak.
Kiera snorts. “Because of the way you two were practically melting into each other on the dance floor at the wedding.”
“We were not doing that,” I exclaim, but we were so doing that. Callum was saying all the right words and I wanted more than anything for the clock to rewind so I could be the Juniper of old and he could be the man I used to love.
“Spill it,” Brienne presses. “You’ve got enough champagne in you, you’ve been inducted into the Titan Queens and we’re your girls. We can give appropriate advice and we can be prepared to hate on Callum when and if needed.”
I can’t help but laugh before taking another sip from the fluted glass. “No need to hate on Callum. Our past has been thoroughly discussed and apologies were offered and accepted.”
“And…,” Danica drawls.
I play stupid. “And what?”
“And he held you close during one of the most romantic songs ever created,” Stevie says.
“And he kissed you,” adds Kiera.
“And then you two had a serious discussion going on,” Brienne murmurs, her voice trailing off.
Only for Jenna to pick up the conversation, sighing in a swoony way. “And that look on Callum’s face. He was promising you something and my God… he better live up to it.”
My skin flushes at how they just broke down those magical few moments when Callum and I danced the other night. I’m a bit embarrassed so I deflect. “Why were you watching us? You had a very lovely bride and groom who should have held your attention.”
Stevie barks out a laugh. “Sophie and Baden are rock solid. You and Callum are tripping all over yourselves, just like we all did with our men, and it’s way more fun to watch. Besides… since we’ve all been through this, we’re your best source of advice.”
I sit up straighter in my chair because it occurs to me that these women are more than just a fun social time. They could be confidantes and that’s something I need more than anything. “Callum said he still loves me. Never stopped and never loved anyone else.”
“Oh wow.” Jenna sighs again, sinking into her chair. “That’s… well, that’s serious stuff.”
“I know,” I exclaim before taking another sip of my champagne. “I mean… he broke my heart once and—”
“He wouldn’t do it again,” Brienne cuts in, her tone sharp with confidence.
My head whips her way, but not to argue with her. “I know. I mean… I actually know he wouldn’t. Callum’s a different person and I don’t mean that he was bad before and he’s good now. I just mean… he’s different, I’m different, our lives are different. And I know he never meant to hurt me in the past. He said it was the dumbest mistake he’s ever made and I can forgive regretful mistakes.”
