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My phone buzzed.
I’m starving
Extra black olives
I didn’t hear a please
I’m begging
I grinned. Wicked had never begged in her life. Except the night we made Gummy. She most definitely begged then.
Pack an overnight bag and meet me at my place
“Patrick?” Mr. Dixon looked at me with concern.
“Sorry. What was that?”
“He’s got a girlfriend.” Baker pointed at me.
“I agree,” Trish said.
“How’d she handle you talking a trip with another woman?” Holt asked.
“I don’t have a girlfriend, but I’m flattered all of you are so interested in my love life.”
“We haven’t had a wedding in a week. Of course we’re eager for another one.” Trish flashed me a grin.
“Don’t look over here.”
“I asked if Marlow loved the beach,” Mr. Dixon said quietly.
I cleared the text from her and brought up a picture of her and Blake in the sand. I passed my phone to him. “Think she liked it?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m glad.”
“Let me see.” Trish peered at my phone when Dad passed it to Andrew. “I’ve never seen her like that.” She took the device from my best friend and held it up for Baker and Holt.
“She’s back with vengeance.” Andrew pushed his wine glass around.
“What do you mean?” Holt leaned forward and studied the picture for a second. “She hasn’t looked that happy since Jack.”
“The beach may have changed her attitude, but the city doesn’t suit her.” Andrew took a drink of wine.
Trish handed me my phone.
“Do you have any idea what it’s like for her? She’s raising that kid—doing an amazing job, by the way—while grieving her hero husband. So what if she’s got a little bite to her. See how you’d handle it if you were in her place.” I leveled Andrew with a look.
“I never said she wasn’t a good mother, but she can be a first-class bitch.”
“At least I know how you really feel.” Marlow’s quiet voice floated over the table. An uncomfortable silence paralyzed all of us. I shook it off and stood. She put a hand on my chest. “Don’t try to tell me he didn’t mean it.”
I grasped her shoulders. “You know me better than that.”
She shrugged me off and stepped around. “I’m sorry about your wedding.” Baker and Holt gaped. “I-I didn’t anticipate it being difficult for me to be in a church. I may think you’ve rushed into marriage, but I would never intentionally cause a scene on a day like that.”
“We just want you to be okay,” Baker said.
“That’s impossible, but I appreciate it anyway.” She pushed Blake’s stroller away from the table.
