Page 112 of Whiskey Wednesdays

Chapter 32

Connor met me in the kitchen when I got home that evening. He still had his work clothes on, and he looked good.

“What are you and Titus plotting?”

“Why do you think we’re plotting anything?” Those hockey players were the biggest gossips.

“Because two players texted and told me he met you for lunch. And he told me he might be getting joint custody of Max.”

I studied Connor. “How would you feel about me pretending to be his live-in girlfriend for a court hearing in a few weeks?”

He stared at me, and I swear his left eyelid started to twitch. “No. Fucking. Way.”

“That’s what I thought. I told him it’d probably blow up in his face.”

“So what’s your plan? I can hardly wait to hear what you’re cooking up.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he pulled me into his arms.

I held up my phone. “I’ll tell you in an hour. I need to make a phone call first.”

He kissed me and let me go. I walked into the back patio area and looked up Abigail’s number, hesitated for a few seconds, then called her.

She picked up. “Hi, Isa. How’re you doing?”

“Good. How about you and Stella?”

“We’re hanging in there. When do you come back for graduation?” Abby sounded subdued and tired.

“In a few weeks.”

“I’m so happy for you. And a little envious.”

“Don’t be. My apartment has a leak, someone keyed my car and slashed my tires, and I’m living with Connor McCoy.”

“Sorry, I thought you just said you’re living with Connor McCoy.”

Sighing, I sat down. “Yeah, that’s because I did.”

“We need to talk more often. The last time we spoke, he’d accused you of burglary, and you hated him with a burning passion.”

“It’s complicated. But I’m calling about you. I have a friend who needs a girlfriend.”

“Uh, sorry again. I thought you said you have a friend who–”

“I did.”

“What does that have to do with me?” She asked carefully.

I told her about Titus and his situation.

She sighed. “I’m not sure how I can help. We live in two different states, with a few states in between.”

“Well, you see, he needs alive-ingirlfriend. You’d, uh, need to come here and stay at his house. He’s a good friend, and I trust him.”

Abby was silent, so I kept talking. “He has a beautiful house, and you’d have your own bedroom and so would Stella. He’ll pay you a monthly wage for living there and helping him with Max when you can.”

“I don’t know,” she said hesitantly.

“And he’d pay for Stella’s daycare and preschool so you can work or go back to school if you want.”

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