“I guess it’s not gossip. It’s fact.” She grinned. “Skylar beat you.”
“At what?”
“He and Beth got married.”
My eyes opened wide. “Wow. Good.” I shook my head. “Beth called me when I was at my parents’, but I didn’t call her back. I’ve been a little preoccupied with Van.”
“How is he?”
A smile curled my lips as my thoughts circled back to our distraction this afternoon. “He’s good. He’s doing better each day.”
“I can’t believe she shot him.”
“We’re all a little stunned. I’m just glad the ambulance was on its way here and he’s recovering.”
“Skylar and Beth’s wedding was weird and fast. Just last…” Her painted fingernail went to her chin. “It was Wednesday. The two of them went downtown, and had a justice of the peace wedding. No parents. No friends.”
I leaned against the counter across the breakfast bar, facing her. “Seems sudden.”
“Well, she is pregnant.”
“True, but didn’t you say his parents weren’t supportive.”
“Yeah.” Vicki’s hazel eyes went to her wine glass as she ran her finger around the rim.
“What?”
She looked up with her eyes. “They moved to your house.”
“My…? Oh, the house Skylar and I had built.” I hummed as I gave that some thought. “Good, I guess. I want my share of the value, but I am happy for them. I think it’s odd that they moved so fast.”
“Beth says that the Butler house was a shit show. Have you talked to your parents recently?”
“No.” I walked toward the refrigerator. “Do you want anything to eat?”
“No, thank you. There was food on Van’s plane. If I keep making this trip, I may ask for an expanded menu.”
I laughed. “I’m sure he’ll work it out for you.”
“That couple who work for him, Andrew and Ruth, are so nice.”
“I’ve only met them once, but they were nice.”
“I’ve flown on Van’s plane more than you have?”
“I guess you have.” I took a seat beside Vicki and turned her way. “My parents have both called, but I just can’t deal with them. They flew me back to Chicago. I should never have left here.”
“I was pretty out of it. I didn’t know your condition or where you were.”
“It shouldn’t have been handled that way. And when I was home—in their home—they acted like I was twelve.”
Vicki didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. The two of us have known each other since before we were twelve. Vicki knew my mother.
Letting out a breath, I looked down at my glass of wine and back to my friend. “I almost feel as if I could walk away if it wasn’t for Wade. How did I never realize how overbearing my mother is?”
“Jules, that isn’t a new revelation.”
“It isn’t.” I debated on what to say. “Can I tell you something?”