“At home with their daddy.”
Giggling, I said, “I’m surprised he didn’t come with you.”
“He wanted to, but I didn’t trust him not to end up in jail for dragging Rick’s ass across his campaign headquarters desk. It’s already been hard enough convincing him not to call him.”
“That’s why he’s my brother for real.”
“He loves you. We all do.”
“I love you, too.” I sucked in a deep breath. “And I’m gonna get myself together.”
“Maybe you should have sex,” she suggested with a wicked gleam.
“Really?”
“I mean, that’s what you told me. Sex is good for you.”
“That was when I thought I’d seen my last new dick.”
She cracked up. “Girl, you’re silly. Anyway, we’re going to Duke’s wedding. Hook up with a random groomsman.”
My mouth fell open. “Are you crazy? Duke’s groomsmen are all married or soon-to-be married. X is my brother-in-law, Dex has a pregnant wife, and Tristan is with Sasha. The only single one is Asa.”
“True, but if not a groomsman, a friend. Duke knows everybody. I’ll ask X what he thinks.”
“You better not,” I commanded. “It’s not even necessary because I’m not going.”
“Yes, you are,” she said. “I bought your ticket.”
“Zara, why? I’m in no shape to party. Besides, I have that surgery coming up, my job is hounding me for deliverables, I don’t want to answer any questions about Rick. It’s just not a good time.”
“You know you can’t do Duke like that. Or Demi. You already turned her bridesmaid proposal down.”
As much as I hated to admit it, Zara was right. Demi Strong was one of my very best friends. When she lived in Cali full-time, we spent a lot of time together. I was happy that she’d found true love with her friend,myfriend, Duke.
“Fine, I’ll go.” I couldn’tnotshow up for Demi’s big day, especially since she handled my divorce while she was planning the wedding. “But I’m in and out. No rehearsal dinner, no wedding brunch the next day. The wedding and reception are all I can handle right now.”
“Okay, I understand.”
I pointed at her. “And I’m not looking for a hookup either.”
She raised her arms in surrender. “Okay,” she repeated. “No sex for Rissa.” Her stomach growled. “Uh oh.”
I glanced at her curiously. “When is the last time you ate?”
“About two hours ago.”
“You’re so greedy,” I said, shaking my head. “Always hungry.”
“And I would eat if you had any food in the fridge. I already checked.”
“Well, let’s get you fed. I have food at the new place, but let’s have tacos.”
“Yum.”
I grabbed my stuff and followed her to the front door. Turning, I scanned the room again. It felt like a visual representation of my life. Empty and full of hard feelings. And it was high time to leave everything—the past, the future I thought we would have, and Rick—behind.
Present Day
