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“What on earth?” My sister. Amanda.
She was dressed in office clothes, probably fresh from an online meeting with overseas clients.
“You.” My grip tightened around my phone. “I was in love with Rosie and then someone intervened four years ago.”
Amanda faltered for a moment before speaking. “Oh, right. You proclaim you still love Rosie, and yet you were banging Ainslee at your party.”
“Amanda …”
My sister ignored Mum’s warning tone. “Isn’t she pregnant? With your child? Ainslee was telling everyone at the pub. Pretty sure all of Ballydoon knows by now.”
“Ainslee is not. There is no pregnancy. And we’re not together.”
Something thudded in the hallway, but I refused to look away from Amanda.
She threw up her hands in disgust. “Tell me again how much you’re in love with my best friend. Oh wait, don’t even bother. You’re a man-whore on campus, Tom. An infamous fuck-boy.”
“Amanda!” Mum snapped.
“It’s true, Mum. Pete was regaling us with your tales of conquest, Tom.”
Pete held up his hands, horrified. “Tales of conquest is exaggerating—”
“Ugh! Several of your friends with bennies were at your party while you were banging Ainslee.”
A blush erupted up my neck to the top of my head. Pete looked sheepish.
“Pete was right. There were a few women at my party who I’d slept with before. And I will not deny I like sex.” I held up my hands, addressing the crowd. “Mum, Pete, and dear sister, Amanda, I like sex. A lot. And yes, I’ve had many partners who have wanted to have sex with me, too. Every time, consensual, with the clear understanding there’s no ongoing relationship.”
Mum closed her eyes and sighed. Amanda’s face screwed in revulsion. I pointed at her. “Do not try to accuse me of doing something wrong. I would have chosen Rosie over any of those women in a heart beat.”
Amanda charged forward. “I am saying that you arenotgoing to treat my best friend like trash! You seduce them and then throw them away. You did that in high school.”
“I had two girlfriends who I broke up with. What are you on about?”
Amanda paused, and then flared again. She stabbed my chest several times.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea for you to be fucking or, strange concept here, Tom, dating your neighbour and a business partner?” Mum reached for Amanda’s arm and was shrugged off. “How do you think it would turn out when you get tired of Rosie and move on to another chick?”
Amanda’s words echoed one of Rosie’s messages from four years ago.
“Is it really in your best interest or the interest of our family and the Zanettis that you are looking to hook up with someone who is a major stakeholder in their winery, our neighbour and a dear friend?”
My jaw ticked as I stared at my sister.
“Amanda …” my mother warned but was ignored again.
“That’s for Rosie and me to decide.” My voice wavered.
My sister moved forward, reaching for my arm. “I mean,” she said in a softer voice. “I mean, take Jane and Doug. He couldn’t keep his dick in his pants, and the next thing, Jane was pregnant. Four years later, look at how that fling ended up. Divorce with a looming custody battle and huge legal fees.”
I shook my head slowly. “I understand the business and legal ramifications more than you could ever know. Rosie and I talked about it four years ago, but we never got a chance to decide for ourselves.”
Amanda frowned as if taken aback but then said, “surely you can see there’s no future in this.”
That echo of Rosie’s past messages again.
“Four years ago, I did see a future. It was bright and strong and good. All I wanted was to be with her, and I was pretty sure she wanted me, too.” I straightened, ready to deliver my accusation. “You sent me those messages as Rosie back then.”
