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“Guys, it was fine.”
“You silenced your phone and shut yourself off from those who care about you. That’s not cool, Rowan.”
“I’m used to dealing—”
“Do not finish that sentence, Missy, or my head may explode. Promise you won’t do that shit again. You have a village of people who love and support you. Reach out.”
She looks to me for help, but all I can do is shrug. “I’m on his side with this, gorgeous. You fucked up shutting us out.”
“Can’t a woman have a tantrum in private?”
“No,” we all chorus flatly.
She scans us, realization sinking in. “Fine, I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want your apology; I want that fucking hug,” Talon growls.
This time I let her up, watching her walk hesitantly into his arms. She squeals when he lifts her off the ground, mumbling something into her hair.
“Now can we pop this?” Alex raises the bottle.
“Yes, absolutely.” She reaches over to kiss his cheek. “And, lucky for you guys, I made dinner before I succumbed to my pity party. All I have to do is throw together the salad.”
“Thank God, I’m starving for actual food,” Talon voices exactly what I’m thinking.
Alex fills glasses and Cruz hands them around the room. “One glass and then the fridge is stocked with beer,” he tells me.
“Appreciate it.”
“New beginnings are around the corner,” Talon toasts, sending me a knowing look.
“Hear, hear!” Cruz slams back his glass.
“You know, guys, I love you all deeply, but sometimes a girl needs a good cry.”
“Sweetie, you want a good cry, we’ll watch Steel Magnolias,” Cruz counters.
“Not watching that shit,” Talon mutters, swallowing his own drink.
“Okay, macho man. We’ll watch Armageddon. All the hotness and action, combined with the tear-jerking ending. Good enough?”
“It’ll do.” I suck back the champagne, not tasting any of it.
“Oh my God, how was your trip?” Rowan returns to my lap, running a hand through my hair.
“I’m home,” is all I offer.
“We’ll talk about it later?”
“Yeah, baby. Later. You should probably answer all the missed calls before the house is swarming with people.”
“I made enough. Should we invite the others?”
My instinct is to say no and shut down the idea. But her spark of excitement and knowing her day was rough silences my protest. “I’ll call them.”
She sinks into me, Pepper joining us and nudging my hand.
“You miss me, girl?” I rub her head.
