Tessa steps back and laughs a real laugh this time, the kind of laugh when something surprises you. I can’t help but join her.
“What the hell is that?”
“Jade’s ringtone,” I lie. Sometimes you really have to, and this is one of those times.
“That’s awful.” She laughs again and covers her mouth. “Does she know that?”
“No, and she better not find out, either.”
“Oh no, that is too funny to keep a secret.” She laughs even harder.
“Think about it. Do you want Jade to know our secret?”
“Our secret.” She looks down and fiddles with her fingers.
I reach out and grab her hand. “Stop stressing.”
“Secret sounds bad, Lucas.”
“What we’re doing isn’t wrong, Tessa. Two friends sending messages, checking up on each other when we hurt.”
“I’m the one hurt. You’re married and … Lucas, this is wrong.”
“Don’t do that, Tessa. Nothing’s going on that I’m ashamed of.”
She nods.
“No matter what, Tessa, we’ve always been on each other’s teams. That shit’s not changing now.”
I give her a kiss. Yeah, a ballsy move after that conversation, but it’s necessary.
“Now get your ass home.” I open the door, and she climbs in. I shut it behind her as my phone blares, alerting me that the wicked witch of the west probably needs something.
Bitch!
?
When I get home, she’s mad. “Where have you been?”
“Well, hello there, Ash.” I set the takeout that I picked up on the counter. “I brought dinner.”
“I’m going to Jersey.” She puts her hands on her hips, I assume showing some sort of dominance.
“Be back by Friday. Ava’s in a wedding.”
“I’m not going.”
“The fuck you aren’t.” Okay, I’m pissed. Really pissed.
“You can’t make me.”
“Try me, Ash.”
I grab a beer out of the fridge and walk past her. “You can fuck the worm after. I really don’t give a fuck.”
“So, you’re going to bribe me, Lucas?”
“Blackmail,” I correct. “Yeah, if that’s what it takes for you to act like a mother.”