Page 88 of Hungry Hearts

“You’re supposed to at least taste it,” she says.

I don’t tell her I haven’t been able to taste food in seven days. I pick up another and do the same.

“Tell us about her,” Ella leads, sipping her tequila.

“Not much to say. She has tits, an ass, legs, and a mouth. Just like any other chick.”

“Wow. There’s a lot of anger built up. You never talk about a woman that way.” I’m closest to Avery, probably because Nolan’s been my best friend since we were learning our ABCs in preschool.

And I did a lot of heavy flirting with her to piss Nolan and Trey off. It was fun. And innocent. But she’s right, I don’t refer to women aschicks.And when I talk about their tits, ass, legs, and mouth, I’m more poetic.

“You wouldn’t be angry if you didn’t care about her.”

“She wouldn’t have let another man put his dick in her if she cared about me.”Fuck. Filter.

“Oh, Ryder.” Nora rests her head on my shoulder.

Avery takes my hand. “Were you two exclusive?”

I snort. “Iwas.”

“Wow. That’s huge,” Ella says.

“That’s what she said.” It’s a stupid, cliché line that I swallow down with another shot.

“Did you talk about it? Does she date a lot?” Nora asks.

“Yes and no.”

“Elaborate.” Avery squeezes my hand.

I’m not drunk, but the three rapid fire shots of tequila on a three-day empty stomach has me saying more than I intend.

“She hadn’t been with anyone in five years.”

“Holy shit. I’d die.” Nora lifts her head from my shoulder and rubs her lower belly. “My vagina would shrivel up and absolutely die.”

I shake the mental picture of that away and reach for the last shot of tequila in my flight.

“So, she waits five years—there’s a story there we need to hear—has wild sex with you, then decides she likes it so much she spreads her legs for anyone?” Avery asks.

“That about sums it up.”

“Bullshit.” This from sweet Ella. A pure, innocent virgin before she met Trey.

What does it even matter anymore? There’s no need to protect Maia, and the women are going to badger me until I give them the details.

“Her husband—”

“Oh, God, no.” Nora clutches her swollen belly and leans forward. Not very far with the watermelon in her lap. “Please tell me she wasn’t keeping that from you.”

“He died five years ago.”

“Oh.” Ella covers her mouth with her hands, Avery gasps, and Nora sniffs.

Fucking Christ. I haven’t even started and they’re already siding with her. “Never mind. This wasn’t a good idea.” I shake off Avery’s hand and try to stand, but pregnancy has made Nora exceptionally strong.

“We’ll be quiet and listen. Go on,” Ella urges.

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