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“He seemed peachy to me,” Parker comments. “How’s this going to work? Y’all play house and then he disappears again?”
My forehead thumps into the wooden table. “I’ve made a huge mistake.”
Parker reserved us the best table at the Smokey Barrel. Before Harriet had Ethan, she also worked part-time here, performing covers and her own songs. It’s also where Tate got his first permanent gig, kick-starting his career toward fame and stardom. The distillery holds a ton of memories, some good, some not so good, but it’s still our favorite spot to hang out when we find free time in our hectic schedules.
The room is huge, with old whiskey barrels lining the expanse of one wall, a large stainless-steel bar on the other, and a stage in the center of the room.
“Him showing up has turned my brain to mush.” They don’t seem fooled by my excuses, and my friends stare at me expectantly.
“Oh, Tals.” Margot pats my hand. “If you’re having second thoughts, no one would judge you. I’m sure he has other places to stay.”
“I’ll judge me.” I trace a groove in the table. “I can’t kick him out after he’s just been discharged from hospital, but he’s acting like the past year didn’t happen. We’re not the same people we once were, and he’s failing to see that.” My shoulders collapse. “He’s only here a short while, and then he’ll be gone again. Nothing is going to change.”
Parker is abnormally quiet as she examines me.
“Say it. I know you want to.”
She shrugs. “The divorce papers are right there. If you wanted to serve them to him, you would have. I think that speaks volumes.” She raises her hand, silencing me when I open my mouth. “I’m not saying you two don’t have shit to sort through, but it can’t hurt to try.”
“That wasn’t what I was expecting you to say.” I blink at her. “Are you okay?”
Harriet presses her palm to Parker’s forehead, checking her temperature. She swats her away. Parker isn’t the male population’s biggest fan for good reason. She loves sex with them, but she’s love’s biggest critic. When we found out Harriet was pregnant after a one-night stand, Parker was wary of Warren, but once he proved he was all in, he grew on her. Tate and Parker were thick as thieves, and she wouldn’t admit it, but when he left without saying goodbye, it hurt her.
Parker stands when Jimmy walks in. “Tate was always going to come back, whether it’s now or in a year’s time. He stayed away because you told him to, and that man would give you the world in the palm of your hand if he could. Do I agree with him listening to your stubborn ass? No, but I get it.”
“Parker’s right,” Margot says softly. “I’ve never seen you together until this morning, but I could tell your auras are very compatible. A lot of bright red.”
Margot is a very spiritual person. “What does that mean?”
She beams. “Passionate and energetic. Two people who share this aura color are very sexually compatible.” She whispers the word sexually. “Were you?”
Harriet snorts, and I glare at her. “Don’t give me that look. When I stayed on your couch one weekend, you were very enthusiastic and impressed with Tate’s efforts.”
I slap her on the arm.
She isn’t wrong.
Sex with Tate is incredible.
Was incredible.
I have nothing to compare it to, but I’ve never felt as if I missed out on my wild years in college. When we traded virginities, it was awkward and fumbly, then we grew together as a couple. We experimented, tried out different kinks, and learned what the other liked. I knew he enjoyed having his ass played with, and he had perfected exactly the right level of edging to get me off.
“Sexual compatibility was never our issue.” It wasn’t uncommon for us to crash together in a heated frenzy following an argument. “Though, sometimes we’d have sex instead of actually communicating.”
Harriet raises an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“No. Go on.” I fold my arms and lean forward. “Please share with the room.”
She rolls her eyes and takes a final swig of her wine. “Now is the time to communicate. Get it off your chest. I get that Tate turning up is a headfuck, but this is the most you’ve shared with us since he left. We didn’t even know you gave him an ultimatum or had the divorce papers drawn up until the other night.” Her expression softens. “I agree with Parker. If you truly wanted your marriage to be over, you would’ve served him the papers already.” Harriet doesn’t pull her punches. “You’re not ready to say goodbye any more than he is. You’re just too stubborn to admit it. I get this is hard for you, Talia, but you have to speak to us. Speak to Tate.”
My skin suddenly feels too tight. I expect this from Parker, but not Harriet, and when I face Margot, pity lines her smile. Do they all feel the same way?
I stand abruptly. “Next round is on me. Same again?”
