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“You’re awfully chipper for someone who hasn’t had coffee yet,” Joyce grumbled next to me as we pulled into the luxe grocery store parking lot with our driver, Mak, and a babbling Zoe next to me.
I winced then had to laugh. “Sorry, I’ve always been a morning person.” I unbuckled myself then Zoe and held her as we climbed out of the back of the SUV. I smiled at Mak and waited for Joyce to climb out too. “It helps when dealing with the kiddos. They’re usually pretty demanding first thing in the morning.”
“I’d forgotten, but Zoe quickly reminded me.” Joyce smiled. “But that wasn’t what I was talking about. You’ve been all but dancing around the house for the last few days. And my son has had a perpetual grin for about the same amount of time. Anything you want to tell me?”
“I, uh…” All the blood drained out of my head. Was she talking about the crazy baby watch thing the tabloids had printed? Was Kingston’s mom seriously pumping me for info—in public?
My eyes darted around the parking lot, but no one seemed to notice us, or I should’ve said me. From what King had told me, me and him were still a hot topic onthe Babblerand several other tabloids. For once, I didn’t look online for myself. I didn’t want to see what people thought about me being with him—how I was worthy or hot enough or that I was too fat or whatever. I wasn’t going to let that negativity get me down. Especially now.
I still didn’t know how to answer Joyce’s question. It’d sounded innocent enough. But I could do the same math she’d clearly done. Our happiness plus the public’s speculation clearly spelled grandbaby number two for Joyce, judging by the way she was beaming despite her coffee-less grumbles.
“Nothing to tell,” I finally mumbled lamely. “Just happy to be here.”
Mak choked then tried to cover it with a cough as we crossed the parking lot.
“Right.” Joyce raised her eyebrows as we approached the entrance.
I had to pause as my phone in my back pocket rang. Jostling Zoe in my arms, I pulled out my cell and read the display.
Lyla calling
Ooops. For the fifth time in as many days, I turned my ringer off and let her call go to voicemail. I didn’t know what to say to her.
“Everything okay?” Joyce asked with a furrowed brow.
“Yeah, just a telemarketer.” I shoved my phone back into my pocket as the guilt gobbled at my heart.
“Oh, they’re the worst. I don’t know who sold my information to those bloodsuckers, but there should be a law!”
I nodded numbly and followed Joyce toward the grocery store while I tried to ignore my guilt with Lyla. We were out of coffee, among other things, and Joyce hadn’t wanted to wait for King’s housekeeper to run to the store for us. We had plenty of time, she’d declared. So here we were.
“Shana? Are you ready for this?”
My heart stopped as I heard the familiar name. It couldn’t be. We were in the heart of the Hollywood Hills. Danny and Shana lived way out in the Valley. There was no reason for her to be…
But sure enough, the woman walking toward the luxe baby shop next to our grocery store was my former friend and my ex’s very pregnant new wife.
I watched as she walked with her friends, her shirt stretching over her stomach. The last time I’d seen her in person I’d felt so angry and betrayed. That she’d slept with my husband. That she’d gotten pregnant when I’d lost my baby. That she’d had the nerve to come to our divorce proceedings. I’d literally never hated someone before her.
But now?
Now I was…oddly apathetic.
Don’t get me wrong, I still didn’t like her. But I wouldn’t step over her choking body. I’d try to save her.
Probably.
But I didn’t feel that aching, gnawing pain anymore.
Huh.
“Briar?” Joyce’s voice ripped me out of my introspection.
I blinked and noticed we were standing a few feet from the grocery entrance and everyone in my small party was staring at me. “Oh. Sorry.”
I moved through the doors and settled Zoe into a cart, my ex and his pending family forgotten.
* * *
