AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Their loss.” She turns to Bridget. “So what are you studying?”
“Public health,” Bridget answers.
“How cute. What is that?”
“Elaine’s not familiar with a lot of majors,” I explain. “She majored in how-to-find-and-marry-rich. That’s why she went to an Ivy League school.”
Elaine fakes a laugh. “You’re so funny, Darren.”
Undaunted, Elaine continues to ask questions of Bridget, remarking “cute” every other sentence. I can’t wait for dinner to conclude. When Bridget goes to use the restroom before dessert is served, I turn to Elaine.
“Back off Bridget,” I tell her.
“My, my, we’re testy. Is she not putting out for you?” Elaine puts her hand on my thigh again. “I can— Ow!”
Still holding her wrist tightly, I put her hand on the table. It draws the attention of a few others.
I lean to whisper in Elaine’s ear. “Don’t sit next to us again.”
I get up from the table and wait for Bridget outside the ladies’ room.
“What’s up?” Bridget asks when she comes out and sees me.
“Don’t feel like dessert,” I answer.
“Okay. You want to sit by the pool?”
“Sure.”
We walk over and settle into a plush sofa before an open fire pit.
“So, how come you didn’t throw soda in Elaine’s face?” I ask.
“Because I have manners. I don’t want to make a scene right before Andrea’s wedding and in front of your relatives.”
“Fine. But you wanted to, right?”
Bridget grins. “Not really. It was more fun watching you struggle with playing footsies with her.”
She knew?
“She won’t bother you anymore,” I say.
Bridget shrugs. “She doesn’t bother me that much.”
“Really?” I don’t believe it. After seeing Elaine fawn over me once, Kimberly was ready to tear the woman’s hair out. “She was pretty catty to you in a passive-aggressive way.”
“That’s her issue.”
“So how come you didn’t have any problems throwing your drink in my face?”
She thinks for a moment. “Somehow, you push my buttons more.”
I’m okay with that, given I know how to push the right buttons. I pull her into me. Her body next to mine has a calming effect. It feels like everything is right in the world.
Until Bridget asks, “You ever sleep with her?”
I rub my mouth and jaw. Damn women’s intuition. “Once,” I answer. “Years ago.”
