Page 44 of WASP

A protective heat flared in Annie’s chest at her sister’s cutting way of placing multiple digs against Max in a single sentence, a skill perfected and passed down by Colleen Dillinger herself. First, the blatant unwillingness to use Max’s name, even though they had met at the Christmas party. Second, the subtle pointing out that Max was considered “staff” in their family’s broader social circle. And third, pointing out that yes, Max did tend to have the tiniest case of resting bitch face, but Annie kind of found it cute.

“Her name is Max, and we are—” She hesitated, trying to think of a word to sum up exactly what they were to each other. “Friends,” she settled on.

The woman giving Annie her pedicure tapped her legs, motioning her to lift one out of the water as she began to work.

“I wish you’d stop wasting your time, sweetheart. You’re only delaying the inevitable.” Her mother’s voice was honeyed in a way Annie recognized. The tone that reeked of quiet judgment.

“And the inevitable is?” she asked dryly, already positive she knew where her mother was going. But it was Avery jumping in that irritated her more.

“That you and Caroline are going to end up back together. And it’ll be perfect. Just in time for Caroline’s campaign.” Avery grinned as she set her phone down, her silky auburn hair falling over her shoulder as she turned to look at Annie.

Annie took a deep breath, counting to five in her head, mentally boxing in the sudden onset of anger flaring in her chest.

“For the last fucking time.” She turned slightly to face her mother and sister, whispering as she ignored the heated glare her mother was giving her for using a swear word in such a public place, dare anyone overhear them. “There is no chance in hell Caroline and I are getting back together. None. Nil. Zilch. Zero. It’s never fucking happening.” She huffed, turning back to sit squarely in her chair, eyes fixed ahead as she attempted to bring her boil back down to a simmer while simultaneously trying to contain a laugh as the pedicurist moved a pumice stone across the heel of her right foot.

“But why? What happened that made you throw away seven years? Caroline was basically family and then one day you guys are just done? We saw you on the Fourth of July last year for Mom and Dad’s party and you two were so in love,” her sister pushed.

To Annie’s surprise it was her mother’s interjection that came next. “Avery,” she warned.

“Can you for once respect what I say as a final fact and not an open door for negotiation?” Annie spat back, fingertips digging into her thigh as she tried to keep her fire in check.

“Annie,” her mother shot sternly.

“Well when you’ve been known to do dumb sh⁠—”

“Avery Marie, I swear to God.”

“Caroline fucking cheated on me!” Annie blurted out, finally reaching her breaking point. “I dumped her because the day before we were supposed to move in together, I went to the house and she was fucking some other girl in our bed. Happy you have a reason now, Avery?” she choked out, struggling to hold back her tears as shame flooded her body at finally sharing the truth she had kept secret from her family for months. But it was Caroline’s words from Christmas in her head that mocked her—you haven’t told anyone what I did—well, that was changing today.

That was the last knot in the tangle of her history with Caroline that Annie had been quietly picking away at, unraveling it inch by inch until the only thing left was the secret she was keeping because of her own shame. The shame of admitting she hadn’t even seen it coming. The thought that Caroline was capable of cheating on her had never once crossed her mind, making the blindside even worse.

“I’m sorry,” she said to the nail tech. “I need to go. I’ll make sure to leave your tip at the front desk and obviously pay for the appointment.” She rolled her pant legs down and slipped her shoes back on then, inhaling sharply, turned to face her mom and sister. “Thank you so much for the lovely afternoon.” She tried to keep an even tone, the bite of her rage still seeping through. “I hope you thoroughly enjoyed my humiliation. But now you know.” Her voice was firm and final as she tried to hold back the tears she wanted to release. “I never want to talk about this again,” she said, spinning on her heel and heading straight for the exit.

TEN

MAX

Norwich Winery bustled with its usual winter weekend business as groups of people gathered around small tables, sipping wine to escape the late February chill. Max’s day so far had been good—no major complaints on her end. Everyone had shown up for their shifts on time and as of yet, not a single customer qualm to deal with. On top of everything, she had managed to enroll several new customers in their monthly wine club, surpassing the goal she had set for herself.

She finally managed to find a spare moment to slip away and use the restroom, taking a brief second for herself as she reset her ponytail in the mirror before heading back into the business of the day. It was days like today that really drained Max’s energy: the constant revolving door of people and forced pleasantries. But she could keep it together for a few more hours and get through this shift.

As she walked down the hallway, a hand reached through the doorway of the office, grabbing her elbow.

“Hey, what the—” She began her protest.

Jack grinned, “Drew texted me; he and Annie are on their way here with Colleen and Senior,” he explained. “And lucky you…Colleen specifically asked if you were working today.”

Confusion spread through her as realization set in that Colleen must be Annie’s mother. Great. That wouldn’t be awkward at all.

“Don’t worry,” Jack said with a knowing look. “Colleen’s on her best behavior in public. Just wanted to warn you before they got here so it wasn’t a total surprise.”

Max slipped her phone from her pocket. Sure enough, there was a text from Annie waiting for her, delivering the same news.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” She shrugged after firing off a response to Annie, sliding her phone back into her pocket.

Jack’s lopsided grin widened as he ran his fingers through floppy dark hair. “Trial by fire. I dig it.”

“It’s not really a trial, just doing my job,” Max said, a knot of nerves twisting in her stomach. The truth was, while Max had dated plenty of women over the years, those relationships had short lifespans, never progressing past a few months and definitely not to the point of meeting family members. But here she was, finding herself increasingly more and more entangled with the Dillinger family. First with Drew, and now with wherever things felt like they were heading with Annie.