Page 121 of Red King

“Dave and Jim are still friends, aren’t they?”

She nods. “They’re not close or anything, but yes, they’re still friends.”

“So, it’s perfectly natural that you would go, then.” I’m surprised at how okay I am with this.

“My allegiance is to you, Paisley. Not to that asshole. I feel terrible about it. It was a weak moment. I had just found out that I was pregnant. I got all teary when I saw their baby. Lexi was out on a walk, and, as you know, they don’t stay far from here. I’m shocked you haven’t run into… I digress. Anyway, he’s tiny…like smaller than you would ever have imagined.” She purses her lips together. “I felt all weepy, and Lexi was so nice; before I knew it, I had agreed to go. I’m the world’s worst friend. I suck!”

“You don’t suck at all. Of course you should go. I understand. I know how nice Lexi is. EvenIwould have a hard time turning her down.”

“Well, on that note, she messaged me to say that she had heard you were back in town and said that we should bring you along.”

“No way,” I practically growl the words.

She giggles. “That’s what I thought you’d say, so I already politely declined on your behalf.”

“Good.” I snicker. “Can you imagine?”

“So, you don’t mind me going? If you do, I’ll make something up and—”

“I already said I was cool with it. You should go. It’s fine.” It really is shocking to me that I’m not that perturbed at all. In some ways, I’ve finally moved on.

Yay, me!

“What about fish for dinner?”

Becs makes this gagging noise and puts her fist in front of her mouth, closing her eyes. She shakes her head.

“Um…chicken?”

She shakes her head harder.

This is actually fun. “Sardines. Chocolate?”

Becs gives me the dirtiest of looks. It doesn’t hold much weight because she’s green. “I will kill you.”

“No, you won’t. You don’t have the stomach for it right now.”

We both laugh, even though she laughs with her hand over her mouth.

34

Paisley

Ten days later…

“I’ll be back soon,” I tell Rebecca as I shut the front door. It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon with not a cloud in the sky, and I’m so depressed I instantly wish I’d stayed in my room. I yawn. I’m exhausted, too, and I haven’t done anything today. Not so much as a thing.

The dogs tug hard on the leads. By now, I’m used to getting dragged along. Fortune and Cookie are lucky they’re so darned cute, or I wouldn’t be out here. I would have stayed in bed and called it a pajama day.

They pull me all the way down the driveway and all the way up the road. I think my arms are at least an inch longer since I started taking them for walks nearly a month ago.

I can’t believe it’s been that long. I really need to get my ass in gear.

I still haven’t sent out a single resume, and it’s bugging me. I’ve decided I’m going to dive in as soon as I get home.

I must!

“Slow down, you two. Take it easy,” I mutter as we round a corner, almost ramming into…her.

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