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In short, it was perfection.
But it was as if the echo of Will ricocheted off the walls, she couldn’t escape the stamp he’d put on the place and dammit he was all around her. She tried to find a part of her life that he hadn’t touched, hadn’t marked with his presence but she couldn’t.
She escaped the cattery and went back to the home, grabbed her phone, keys and the cooling brownies. She kissed Bryan goodbye who was in a state of bliss as Parfait held him down with her paw and proceeded to give him a thorough wash.
Rebelle got into her truck and drove over to Christy and Dean’s house. Apparently, the guys were also getting together tonight and although she knew it was unlikely, she couldn’t helpbut wonder if Will was there. Was he planning another visit anytime soon?
Christy flung the door open and gestured to herself. “We’re matching!” She was wearing the same flannel pajamas as Rebelle but where Rebelle’s were red, Christy’s were blue. The blond enveloped her in a huge hug that included squishing.
“I’m so glad you came!”
“I may not be much fun tonight.”
Christy tilted her head. “Nonsense, you’re always fun.” Rebelle was hustled inside and the brownies were snatched away and swiftly replaced by a cocktail.
“You like raspberry, right?” Taylor asked. Rebelle nodded, eyeing the red liquid in the champagne glass and wondering how Taylor knew that. “Good, it’s a raspberry Bellini. Just raspberry syrup and Prosecco. See what you think?”
Rebelle took a tentative sip then the sweet fizz exploded on her tongue and she drank the whole glass down.
Christy cheered.
“I think she likes it!” Taylor sang.
“I think sheneedsit,” Justine said, appearing with a baby carrier.
“What’s going on?” Christy asked.
Rebelle shrugged. “Oh, I’m fine.”
“No more Bellinis until you tell us,” Taylor threatened.
Rebelle snorted. “When did you get so responsible?” There was a pause and Rebelle clapped a hand over her mouth, wishing she could snatch the words back.
Justine snorted and Christy guffawed.
“Dang, she’s got me there,” Taylor grinned. Relief calmed Rebelle’s nerves and she realized she was safe with these ladies. She didn’t need to try and be someone else. If anything, they liked her the way she was, all sharp edges, and enough sarcasm to rival their own.
They moved into the living room and settled on blankets in front of a roaring fire. The brownies were handed out, along with bowls of chips and dip.
“Talk to us, then I’ll pour.” Taylor held the Prosecco bottle aloft over the champagne flute and arched an auburn brow at her. Rebelle looked around them, still struggling to open up but their faces each projected real concern.
“First rule of sleepover club is that we get drunk. The second rule of sleepover club, much like Fight Club, is the same as the first. But thethirdrule of sleepover club is that we talk about our worries,” Christy said, and Rebelle wondered what a fight club was although it sounded pretty self-explanatory.
She nibbled her lip and took a page out of Will’s book: negotiating. “Another raspberry Bellini then I’ll share.”
Taylor looked at the others. “Damn, she drives a hard bargain. Fine, you win.”
Rebelle swallowed down another drink and let out a small hiccup as the bubbles flared up her throat.
“That’s my girl,” Taylor said, proudly.
“Now spill!” Christy added.
“There’s nothing to spill really, except that Will left.”
The women looked at each other.
“Did you want him to leave?” Justine asked.
