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Ouch.
Fuck me for being contrary, but Aela was growing on me more and more.
“Shut up, Aela,” Savannah sniped. “These gatherings are a ritual.”
“I thought it was a chance to bitch about our husbands. Apparently, I didn’t get the memo.”
I tipped my cup at her. “I’m here for the tea even if I’m drinking coffee.”
Aela studied me with wary eyes—she didn’t trust me yet.
Smart woman.
I found it interesting when Aoife reached over with a set of silver tongs and started loading up a dish which she proceeded to set in front of me.
Huh.
I wasn’t sure why it surprised me that she was in charge here, but surprise me it did.
“Aela’s right, Star. It isn’t mandatory to come to afternoon tea if you’re not interested. Saturday and Sunday dinner is enough familial obligation for one week for any sane woman.”
Call me contradictory but... “It’s not like it’s every week.”
Aoife chuckled. “I feel as if this is your idea of purgatory.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s definitely not my usual scene. Doesn’t mean it’s bad, just means it’s different.” The glance I shot Aela was loaded with my defiance.
“That reminds me. I need to thank you, actually, Star,” Inessa said, somewhat timidly.
I got the feeling I scared her.
My lips quirked up in a sharkish grin—loving Conor hadn’t made me soft. “Why?”
“Eoghan was happy after he came back from your poker game.”
“Glad to hear it. He won’t always be happy though,” I warned. “Sometimes, he might be angry. Sometimes, he might be sad. Hell, sometimes, he might not even want to come.”
“I know, but this seems healthier than what he was doing before.”
Camille’s snort was delicate. “Burying his troubles and pretending they didn’t exist while glowering at anyone in the vicinity who smiles at you?”
Inessa’s lips twitched. “I don’t mind that last part. I took him to a club with me and Lisandra two weeks ago. We didn’t get hit on once. She complained but I loved it.
“Dancing with a two-feet wide barrier around you makes it so much easier. And less stinky. What is it with men who don’t wear deodorant, huh?”
“They’re lower forms of humanity,” Savannah drawled, pinkie extended as she took a sip of her coffee.
Me being me, I snagged her finger in a mockery of a pinkie promise. “Since when do you drink coffee like you’re the queen?”
“It’s the china,” Savannah said unapologetically. “It gives off different vibes than the ‘My husband is a serial killer’ mug Aela got me.”
“I didn’t get you anything. I made that for you, hag.”
Savannah bared her teeth in a smile. “I can feel the love across the table.”
“My heart’s doing something right now, and it’s not beating for you.” Aela softened it with a wink though.
“What’s this about Eoghan?” Aoife queried carefully, the only one who hadn’t gotten distracted from the original theme of the conversation.
