Page 48 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

“True.”If Cat only knew the real reason, Dillyn looked tired and worn out. Dillyn hated keeping secrets from her friends, and she was starting to feel the weight of hers piling up. But after everything they’d learned over the past 24 hours, Dillyn decided to keep one more. “Are you okay with Wyatt and Lucas staying here for a little while?”

Cat mulled it over. “If I’m honest, I’d feel better knowing they are here than if they weren’t. One more added layer of security can’t hurt. When are they coming again?”

“Ben said they would probably bring their things tonight. They wanted to let us talk about it alone before they came. Is that why you’re all dolled up? You thought Wyatt was going to be here?”

Cat rolled her eyes, “Girl, bye. Absolutely not.”

“Mmm. Okay. If you say so. If you saw Ben leave this morning, you’ve been at it for hours. I feel guilty at the amount of work you’re putting into getting this Orchard up and going.”

“Just pulling my weight.”

“You don’t have to kill yourself to do it.”

“I’m not, but you invested a lot of money. The least I can do is provide the expertise.”

“I don’t care about the money. Never did. I care that my friends aresafe.”

“You don’t have to worry about that either. I’m fine. I’ll be better once we find the creeps who are harassing the shit out of us. However, I’m managing the stress. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up early and did an hour of yoga. No going back to sleep after that so I figured I might as well come down and get some work done. Coffee’s also been my saving grace.” Cat pointed toward the coffee maker and then began reviewing the documents she’d been reading. “There’s a fresh pot. I just made it a few minutes ago.”

Dillyn was drained. It was noticeable as she slid her feet across the room toward man’s greatest creation. First, she opened the cabinet above it, removed a mug, and then lifted the carafe. Dillyn was about to pour it when she remembered,I’m pregnant.Slowly, she put the carafe back into its place. “I think I’ll have a cup of black tea. Do we have any more?”

Cat never glanced up, “Should be. You know how Palmer is about her teas.”

“I wonder if she has decaf?” Dillyn asked absentmindedly.

Cat lifted her head slowly, “You’relooking for decaf tea?”

Dillyn was rummaging through the canister where Palmer kept the packets. Not realizing she had just dropped a curiosity bomb.

“Mmmhmm.” Dillyn never looked Cat’s way as she kept sifting through the container.

“Decaf?”

“Yep. Decaf.”

Cat placed the document she had been holding on the table and gave Dilly her full attention. “Dillyn Denise Anderson.” Cat was staring a hole into her back. “What is going on?”

Her tone caused Dillyn to glance up.Shit. What did I say? Cat is way too perceptive.Dillyn’s brows knitted together as she played dumb. “Huh?”

“Simple question. Easy answer. What’s up?” Cat’s tone was nothing short of accusatory. “In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve detested tea. Sweet tea. Peach tea. Mint tea. Green tea. ALL TEAS.” Her eyes narrowed. “You love coffee as much as you hate tea, and now you’re asking fordecaftea.” Cat folded her arms across her chest. “What’s up, chicka?”

Dillyn dropped her shoulders before slowly turning around. Her body language saidguilty as charged. She gave Cat a small one-shoulder shrug. Her voice was soft. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”

Cat’s stony expression gave way to a wide grin. “That man has got you sprung. I know Ben is an organic health nut, but I never thought in a million years that anyone could convince my friend to give up caffeinated coffee.”

Dillyn stood frozen and unable to utter a sound. She thought for sure that Cat had figured it out.

Cat laughed at Dillyn’s expense. “Don’t let him turn you into a vegan. We like steak around here. Organic, I can do, but vegan? Absolutely not!” Cat realized Dillyn wasn’t laughing. “I mean, that is it, isn’t it?” As if to answer her own question, Cat responded. “What else could it be? You’re either becoming more health conscious or knocked up.”

Dillyn bit her lower lip.Welp. One of her two secrets was almost out of the bag.No time like the present to come clean.

Cat stopped talking and stared blankly at Dillyn as Palmer entered the kitchen.

Palmer was not actuallyup. “Hey y’all.” Her eye mask was pushed onto her forehead as she dragged herself in from the hallway. “I’m tired as hell. The Sandman couldn’t find my ass. I didn’t get to sleep until this morning.” Palmer was still wearing her white terry-cloth robe and matching slippers. “I’m just going to grab a cup of peppermint tea and return it to her room. Maybe it will help calm my nerves.”

Palmer was oblivious to the energy bouncing between Cat and Dillyn. She had no idea what was unfolding before she walked into the kitchen. She hadn’t glanced at either of them as she went over to the stove to pick up the teapot. “Gawwwwwd. Why y’all up so early?”

Cat responded to Palmer. “It’s two-thirty.”

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