Page 93 of Hungry Hearts

I step back and clutch at the front of my shirt. I glance down at her hand again, the diamond mocking me in its enormity. I can picture her next to Ryder. Two gorgeous people, smiling for photographs, dining in fancy restaurants. Is he her husband or is he her side piece?

Either way, it makes sense that he’s with a woman like her. A woman with perky boobs and a thigh gap and who doesn’t have to worry about her thighs chafing in the summer. A woman without stretch marks and the weight of a dead husband and lively little girl to raise by herself.

In one quick minute, I’ve gone from feeling betrayed to being the other woman. Does she know about me? Not that I’m anything to worry about anymore. I risk making eye contact with her and don’t see a hint of malice. Ryder must not have talked about me other than being a decent hair stylist and mother.

For some reason, that hurts even more.

“You and Ryder are close?”

“Very.”

“You two make a beautiful couple.”

Avery chokes out a laugh and reaches for my hand to stabilize her. “Oh, honey. God no. We’re not like that. He’s my husband’s best friend.”

Goosebumps float down my arm. “Oh. You’rethatAvery. Nolan’s wife.”

“Aw, Ry-dog’s talked about me? He’s only said good things, right? I may run my mouth a lot and can be a little too forward, but I mean well. Nolan calls me and Ry twins. Some days I take that as a compliment. Lately, though, it’s a freaking insult. The guy’s been a miserable wet blanket.”

“Good.” I’m not usually so callous, but he deserves to live in a world of misery for how he’s treated Ruby and me.

“Hm.” Avery studies me and crosses her arms. “There are pieces to the story that are missing.”

“What story?”

“The one that has made him so miserable and made you look like you couldn’t care less about him.”

“I don’t.”

“His version of the story makes that sound like the truth, but from where I’m standing...er, sitting, I call bullshit. Just like we called bullshit on him last week.”

I step back at her brashness. “Excuse me?”

Avery takes the towel off her head and stands. Her face softens with an apology. “Nolan often tells me I need a backspace key for my mouth.”

And Ryder could use a filter. Only, I liked it when he didn’t filter his thoughts. I glance around the salon, thankful we’re mostly alone. Dan works half days on Thursdays and Kaitlin left while I was washing Avery’s hair. Tia is in the back, waxing her client, so no one can hear us.

Still, I’m not comfortable having this conversation. “Let’s go to the chair so I can finish your hair.”

“You know my hair is a cover to meet you and talk about what happened.” She takes a seat and I run a comb through her hair.

“It would be more meaningful if Ryder was part of this conversation.”

“Don’t I know it. We’ve all tried. We had an intervention with him last week and got some of the story from him, but it’s not adding up.You’renot adding up.”

“Excuse me?” Again, she’s insulted me, even if not intentional.

“I’m not going to filter this, and I’m not apologizing for overstepping. My husband’s best friend is not himself. He’s grumpy, doesn’t leave the penthouse except to work, and won’t talk to any of us. The only way Nora, Ella, and I got him to say anything last week was because we forced tequila on him. He hasn’t been eating so he was a cheap drunk.”

“Doesn’t seem to stop the ladies from crawling over him.” I part her hair and clip the top layer on top of her head.

“We’ll get to that in a minute. First, explain why—” Avery stares at me in the mirror. “Put the scissors down for a sec, will ya?”

“Why?”

“Because, like I said, I’m going to be blunt, and I’m not up for a blunt haircut.” When I lower my hand, she drops a bombshell on me. “Why were you having sex with another man when you knew Ryder was on his way to your house?”

I spin her chair around and lean my face into her. “What did you just say?”

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