Page 62 of All Twerk, No Play

Nope, I wouldn’t tell Kate and Mallory any of that. But what could I say?

When I turned to the kitchen to gauge Victoria’s reaction, her stool had toppled on the floor in front of her closed bedroom door.

“I think we both know why he’s here,” Kate pressed her index finger into my chest.My bare chest.

Damn, I’d enjoyed Victoria’s not-so-covert ogling, towel-drying my hair during a reverse strip tease. But now this looked way less innocent than it was.

“We know Grace put her in a cab last night after celebrating,” Mallory said, hand on the doorknob.

“We brought provisions,” Kate said, shifting a garment bag in her arms to press a brown paper sack into my hands. I looked inside at the coconut water, ibuprofen and peppermint tea. “She must be up for company if you’re here.”

“Victoria,” I hollered as they pressed in, setting the bag on the counter. “You’ve got visitors.”

“Ho-lee shit,” Mallory said, mouth agape as she walked into the perfectly styled living room. “This place is incredible.”

Kate meandered through the kitchen, stirring my pan on the stove, clearly recognizing my chilaquiles. I avoided the question in her eye, scooping up the cat before she ate the jalapeño Victoria dropped in her escape. I’d cleaned up enough puke, thanks.

“Oh my god, is that Jurisprudence?” Mallory said in shock at the fluffy grey ball that passed for a cat. “She was just a kitten at Alex and Victoria’s law school graduation, right after they adopted her.”

My stomach soured at the idea of Victoria living with that asshole. Mallory made a kissing noise and reached out her palm.

“Gosh, you’re beautiful,” Mallory praised, receiving a tentative sniff of her fingertips. “I wondered what happened to her when they split. How do you think the breakup went? Did they have a relationship contract to rescind?”

“Technically it was a breach of contract,” Victoria’s dry voice answered. The air in the room shifted as we all spun to look at her.

She’d completely morphed. Minutes ago, her cute freckles were on display, her red waves loose past the shoulders of my oversized shirt and her silk pants.

Now makeup covered her freckles and darkened her eyelashes. Her hair was twisted back and she was casually styled in a silk blouse and wool trousers. When she wore that at work, I’d viewed her as polished. But slapping it on in her own home helped me see it for what it was: a tailored shield.

She stood in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest, reminiscent of the first time I saw her with that commanding expression, power cord dangling from her fingertips.

Then, I thought she felt cold indifference.

Now that I knew her better, I read her simmering discomfort.

Before speaking, she’d placed my folded shirt on the island. I scrambled to pull it on, hoping Kate wouldn’t notice it smelled like Chanel No. 5, or that my hair smelled like her luxury citrus shampoo. Adriana would be pleased, my hair never felt silkier.

Mallory released the cat as Kate faltered with a slotted spoon.

Victoria raised a cool brow. “Mallory, Katherine. To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?”

They exchanged a fearful look then both spoke at once. “My brother finally told you—”

“—heard you drank—”

“—thought you might need—”

“—before they decide—”

Victoria held up a hand, and they fell silent.

She glanced between them, tilting her chin at Kate to speak. That was unexpected. She’d known Mallory for a decade versus just meeting Kate three months ago … and now she gave her the floor first. How had Kate earned her respect?

Kate’s breath hitched before she forced out, “We want to join forces for our bridesmaid dress strategy.”

“You know I love Grace,” Mallory added, “but her style can be conservative. We wanted to be a united front about wearing something sexy.”

I saw the gesture for what it was: an offer of friendship. Kate and Mallory would wear whatever they wanted and Grace would never say a word. But would Victoria see their interest as not wanting her to feel awkward and left out, or just as meddling?

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