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I shook my head. “Far too risky that he’ll retaliate in the same way. I don’t think he knows about the vibrator yet, but I don’t want to risk it.”
Halley shook her head, her blonde bob brushing against her cheeks. “File it away anyway. It’s a last-resort kind of passive-aggressive attack.”
Reagan nodded. “So there’s stealing insoles, biting one of every of his favorite snack, and maybe stealing all the batteries. You could also hide all his charge leads.”
“What if they have the same lead?” Halley asked.
“I don’t think we do,” I replied. “His phone is newer than mine. I think the adaptor is different.”
“Okay, so there’s also that. That should get you through the week. He’s not going to retaliate straight away.” Reagan picked up her Pepsi and sipped. “He’s going to lull you into a false sense of security and attack.”
“I did used to do this with Leo.”
“Yeah, but that’s the problem. He’s got your brother on his side. He’s going to know all your tricks by the end of the day. Unless you call Angelica…”
I paused. I hadn’t thought about calling Ethan’s sister. We didn’t speak that much, but I knew she’d gotten married last year and was about to have a baby. She was always nice when I saw her in passing, and as someone’s sister myself, I knew how satisfying it was to piss off your brother…
“I don’t have her number, and I’m pretty sure she’s on maternity leave,” I said. “Either of you have any ideas?”
Halley shook her head.
Reagan pulled her straw from her glass and sucked air through it, making a bubbling noise. She tapped the end against her lips. “Doesn’t her husband come in here every week? I’m pretty sure Noah said something about them seeing him here on Friday.”
“That doesn’t help me. It’s Sunday.”
“No, I think he comes in to watch the games. He’s from New York so he’s a Jets fan, but he also watches the Panthers. He’s probably here right now.”
“Isn’t Angelica literally about to give birth?” Halley raised an eyebrow. “I’d castrate your brother if he left me to watch football and I was going to have a baby.”
“Have you discussed impregnating yourself with the lesser strain of the Wright family DNA?” Reagan responded with an eyebrow-raise of her own.
The look my blonde best friend shot at my purple-haired one was withering. “Not at this time, no. I think the raccoons are enough questionable DNA, thank you.”
One day, we’d all stay on track of a conversation.
“Okay. I’ve never met her husband, so… Anyone?” I asked, drawing the conversation back to the point at hand. “Can you see him?”
They both craned their necks and looked around the bar until Reagan squeaked. “He’s by the bar.”
“Who is he?” I sat up to see.
“The guy with the dark hair, black t-shirt, laughing right now?”
I had him. “I got him. Okay, I’m gonna go get her number.”
“You’re just gonna walk right up to him?” Halley’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. I’m not a magician. I can’t just pluck her number from his cell phone. Plus, I have to get back to work.” I smiled and stood up, waving them goodbye.
I made my way through the people and back to the bar right before the husband disappeared and I lost him for the night.
“Excuse me!” I called, reaching for him.
He turned, two beers in each hand. His eyes flitted across my face before recognition shone in his gaze. “Hey—you’re Ava, right? You live with Ethan.”
“He lives with me,” I muttered before I could stop myself.
He laughed.
“Sorry.” I grimaced. “It’s automatic. Yeah, I’m Ava. You’re Angelica’s husband, right?”
He nodded. “Shane. I’d shake your hand, but…” He held up the bottles.
“Don’t worry. I was wondering—could I get her number?”
Shane’s eyebrows shot up. “Why do you need her number?”
“Because Ethan and I appear to be in some kind of passive-aggressive roommate war, and I want to win.”
He hesitated for all of a second before he burst out laughing. “I can’t say that’s what I was expecting you to say, but it’s probably the best thing she’ll hear all week.”
I grinned. “So you don’t mind?”
“I can’t give you her number, but why don’t you give me yours? I’ll give it to her later and tell her to text you.”
“That would be awesome! I’m behind the bar, and it looks like this quarter is starting, so do you just wanna bring it over at some point? I’m here until eight.”
He glanced up at the screen above the bar. “Let me put these on the table, and I’ll write it down for you. I’m gonna forget otherwise.” He returned the smile and turned, disappearing into the crowd.
I tucked myself back behind the bar and served a customer. It looked as if everyone was trying to get drinks before the game restarted, and I had to clear five people before I could slip to the end of the bar to where Shane was waiting.
