“I just figured… maybe she might talk to you?”
My friend shook her head as she wiped her brow. “She knows better than that. Besides, she looked like shit warmed over. I heard she finally got back into the business. After… well, you know…”
Yeah, I knew. Dawn had actually been the catalyst for Universal Designs. If she hadn’t robbed me — and our interior design business — of every last piece I owned? I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I was now.
That, plus the help I received from Jason and Ryan, of course. The two of them had shown me how to fight back. In the dead of night. With a couple of box trucks, and a crew of movers, and—
“So where are we having the wedding?” Melissa asked, changing the subject. “Do we know that yet?”
I smiled inwardly at her enthusiasm. “No.”
“Destination wedding!”
“Maybe.”
“Hawaii!”
I laughed. “We’ll see.”
“I’m still the maid of honor, right?”
“Last time I checked, yeah.” I let my expression suddenly go very serious. “Unless you cross me, of course.” I scrunched my face at her, making my eyes very narrow. “Do that, and I’d have to bring the pain!”
Melissa made a muscle and pointed to it mid-stride. “I’ve got the pain right here, bitch!”
We laughed some more, then kicked up the speed for the last twenty minutes and finished our workout. I watched my friend as she snagged some paper towels and dutifully sprayed and wiped down our machines.
Melissa was the one true friend I had, and the only one who accepted my li
festyle without judgment. Of course she’d be my maid of honor. She was everything to me.
We grabbed our water bottles and headed out, parting ways at the parking lot. Before we did, Melissa laid a comforting hand on my shoulder.
“Hey honey,” she said. “I want you to listen, and listen good.”
I tried to smile as I looked up at her. But it was hard.
“You’re over-extended. That’s all it is.”
“I know. Thanks.”
She looked me up and down and grinned. “And with all four of the guys home right now?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’re overextended in more ways than one.”
I stuck my tongue out at her as she laughed. “Ha ha.”
She leaned forward quickly and pecked me sweetly on the cheek. “Bye bitch,” she said, dropping her sunglasses over her eyes. Then she turned, whipped out her car keys, and began walking away.
Damn, I loved her. She really was the best.
“Until the next torture session!” she called over her shoulder.
Two
KYLE
We’d skipped our mid-week date, but it was one of those rainy nights where you really just wanted to be inside. One of those really cool storms that made you feel snug and cozy and safe under your own roof.
Besides, Sammara and I were alone in the house for once. And while I loved sharing my beautiful fiancé with my three best brothers-in-arms, having her to myself now and then felt like a forbidden treat.