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I nodded. That was true. I had sent a letter to Tripp two years ago, explaining everything and begging him to call me. He clearly hadn’t bothered to open it. “A part of me wonders if I should have come back to town. I’ve always wanted to settle in Oak Springs. Raise a family here. But maybe it was a mistake to come back.”
Waylynn grabbed my upper arms. “Don’t say that. You stayed away long enough, and now that we know the truth, we’re glad you’re back. If Tripp wants to be an ass about it then let him. It’s his loss.”
I tried to smile. “Then why do I feel like it’s my loss too? Maybe he’s in love with Mallory.”
They all laughed. Waylynn brushed my comment off with a wave of her hand.
“Please. Tripp panicked because you were back, and he’s using Mallory as another one of his places to hide.” She pulled the plastic off the dress and held it up while studying it. “Now don’t get me wrong, I think he cares about her. Otherwise I don’t think he would have stayed with her as long as he has. But love her? No.”
Her blue eyes looked over to me. “But there’s another reason he’s kept dating Mallory.”
My head tilted as I waited anxiously for her to keep talking. “And that is?”
Paxton jumped in. “He announced he’s running for mayor of Oak Springs, and he sees her as a good addition. Someone stable by his side. Successful politicians are rarely single, the public likes to see a family man running things.”
“He’s long since stopped his man-whoring days and has found someone who is pretty much squeaky clean. No dirt to dig up,” Amelia stated.
I cringed at Amelia’s words. To know Tripp had slept around made me feel ill. I’d had a few boyfriends off and on, and of course, had sex with them. But nothing like what I’d shared with Tripp.
Dropping my head, I tried to take in a few breaths to calm my sick stomach. “I wouldn’t say she was squeaky clean. She showed up at Tripp’s office dressed in lingerie when I was there.”
They all snarled, then the snarls morphed into ewwww faces.
“For real?” Amelia asked.
“I had dropped my key and had to go back.” Tears filled my eyes. “I heard them…you know.”
They all gasped.
“I’d love to chop my brother’s dick off and shove it down his throat sometimes!” Waylynn huffed.
Warm hands rubbed my back. It was Corina and Paxton. “Let’s forget all about Mallory and Tripp and the clinic for tonight. Let’s go have fun.”
Forcing a grin, I asked, “What are the plans?”
“Dinner first, then we’re off to do some dancing at Cord’s Place.”
Waylynn held out a black dress that looked like it wasn’t finished being made. “And you’re wearing this.”
I cocked my head and narrowed my eyes. “It looks sort of…revealing.”
An evil grin appeared on Waylynn’s face. “It’s going to showcase this curvy rocking body of yours. Now, let’s go get you ready.”
Glancing down once again, I sighed. “Seriously, I feel like this dress reveals a whole lot.”
“My dress shows cleavage,” Amelia said as we walked into the restaurant.
“You’re a lot younger than me! You can get away with it.”
I looked at Paxton, Corina, and Waylynn again. “Okay, Corina is dressed in a darling dress that showcases her pregnant tummy.”
Corina grinned and rubbed her bump.
“Paxton and Waylynn, y’all have on dresses that are more…age appropriate. They say ‘I’m married but out having fun.’”
Waylynn pointed to me. “Watch it, Carbajal. I only just let you back into the circle of trust. I can kick you out again. Age appropriate, my ass…”
Paxton chuckled. “Harley, you have a smoking hot body. You’re single, and you need to get out there and start a new life. Showcase it, girl!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Paxton had two kids and a body to die for. She could easily get away with wearing this dress. Me? I was never the one to wear sexy outfits, but I had to admit, I felt pretty good for the first time in a long time.
“Well, I still feel like my dress is screaming ‘Hey, I want to get laid!’”
Of course, the second I had said that, the hostess walked up. She eyed me up and down and then looked at everyone else. “Do you have reservations?”
We all looked at each other.
Sighing, Amelia said, “Um, no, I didn’t realize we needed them.”
The hostess lifted her chin. “We’ve become very popular and require them on Friday and Saturday nights”
Amelia huffed behind me.
“Seriously? Since when?” Waylynn asked.
The girl shrugged. “If you don’t have a reservation I cannot seat you.”
“Screw this!” Amelia said. “I’m down for Lilly’s. We’ll be the best dressed there.”
We all agreed and started to walk off.
“Wait! You can’t be serious. You want to go to Lilly’s dressed like this?”
