Page 104 of The Wright Man

And I was having more fun than I'd had in years.

* * *

The night air was cool against my skin, the kind of late-summer breeze that kissed your face like it missed you. I was wrapped in one of the fuzzy blankets from the living room, cocooned in the scent of jasmine candles and leftover garlic naan, legs tucked under me on the deck's cushioned sectional. The three of us were lounging like we hadn't just declared psychological warfare on three grown-ass men a few hours ago.

We were on our third bottle of wine. Or fourth. Definitely Tina's fifth.

Our sheet masks were still plastered to our faces like haunted spa ghosts, but that didn't stop the laughter. Bella was doubled over, recounting the moment Tina poured out Boyd's beer right in his lap—deadpan, unbothered, without even pausing mid-conversation.

"I warned him not to hover," Tina said with a shrug. "He thought I was bluffing."

We cackled.

I hadn't laughed like this in years.

Gavin had tried to pull some mess earlier—tried to invite me to sit on his lap while he was four or five beers deep, slurring and grinning like a frat boy on spring break. I leaned in close, real sweet, and told him to drink bleach. He blinked, like he thought I was joking.

I wasn't.

And it felt good.

Not just the clapbacks. Not just the pettiness. But the freedom. Sitting out here in the dark with my sisters, wrapped in blankets and wine and the kind of love that didn't come with conditions. I felt like me again.

Bella peeled off her mask with a little wince, revealing glowing skin and a grin. "I haven't had that much fun watching a man spiral since Rico's birthday dinner."

"Oh my God," Tina wheezed. "When you gave his side chick's earrings to the waitress as a tip—"

"—and she fucking wore them!" Bella howled, clutching her chest.

I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes, my face sticky from laughter and serum. "I needed this night. I really, really did."

They both smiled at me, soft and proud.

I looked down at the blanket in my lap, twisting the fabric in my fingers. "It's just... I don't know. Gavin's been acting so different lately. Trying to be nice. Being... weirdly attentive. He's hugging me again. Waiting up for me. Listening. Sort of."

Bella tilted her head. "Sort of?"

I shrugged. "Enough to make me wonder if it's real. Like tonight? I had fun dragging him, don't get me wrong. But part of me still wants this to work. I didn't get married just to give up on it."

Tina's face turned skeptical, but she didn't say anything. Yet.

"I just don't know if this new version of him is real. Or just another phase."

Before they could answer, the sliding glass door creaked open.

I turned. Gavin was standing there, looking dazed and half-drunk, like he didn't know what day it was. His eyes were heavy, breath reeking of beer and bad decisions.

"Angie," he said. "Can I talk to you real quick? In the kitchen."

Tina sat up straight, grabbing her phone. "Absolutely not. I'm going with you."

"Same," Bella was already folding her blanket like she was ready to lunge.

I snorted. "Relax, both of you. Give me five minutes. If I'm not back by then..."

"I'm calling Maleek," Tina said, holding up her phone like a nuclear launch button.

"Exactly." I winked and stood.