Page 123 of Best Served Cold

“Let’s carry these to a booth so you can sit with us,” Briar says. “It feels weird having you across the bar from us.”

Once we’re all comfortably situated in a booth, Hannah lifts one of her glasses. “To Sophie. For being a brave-ass bitch and telling us her secret.”

“To Sophie,” Briar echoes, and I feel my cheeks burning as I lift one of the little glasses and drink with them.

It feels like I’m letting go of a weight I’ve been carrying for years, the effort breaking my back and sapping my strength.

As we set our glasses down, Briar asks, “Does Jonah know?”

“Who cares about Jonah?” Hannah says. “Does Rob know?”

“He does.” I tell them. “But Jonah doesn’t. I knew I should tell him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“Maybe you subconsciously sensed his aura,” Briar says, playing with her hair. “I think I did too. That’s why I felt so uncertain all the time. You can’t be uncertain of yourself if you’re a woman in business.”

“So you think we all subconsciously knew he was an asshole?” Hannah asks her. “That tracks. You know, it’s for the best that he never knew about the fire, Sophie. I’m guessing Rob was cool about it?”

I think about Rob’s heartfelt reaction to my confession, and I can hardly contain my smile. “Yeah, more than cool. He’s been through some hard stuff too.”

I consider whether he’d want me to share what Jonah did to him and decide not to. It’s his private business, and it’s up to him who he shares it with.

“Well, let’s hoist one up for Rob,” Hannah says with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She lifts one of the taster cups.“For not being a complete and total asshole. I’m so done with assholes.”

“Did Jonah get on your case about the TP thing?” I ask, frowning.

She gives a hearty laugh. “Oh, he tried. He texted me from an unknown number and said if I ever come near him or his house again, he’ll call the police. And that I was lucky his girlfriend convinced him not to press charges.”

“What a dick,” I say, scowling.

“So I told him I’d give my brother his address if he ever comes near any of us again. I have a feeling he’ll be keeping his distance.”

“Is Liam that scary?” I ask in disbelief.

Jonah’s shorter and not as well-built as Rob, but he’s hardly shrimpy.

Hannah considers this, then says, “He’s a big, grumpy guy who’s made his dislike of Jonah very clear. Plus, he’s in this amateur boxing club. Jonah’s terrified of him.” A sigh seeps out of her. “So is management. He’s squabbling with them again, and I’m sick of being the intermediary.”

“Maybe you should stop,” I say, knowing it’s not that easy. But I would have kept quiet in the past, and I’m learning to express my opinions. To value them, even. “I was hovering over Otis, and once I stopped, he’s actually stepped up. It’s awesome.”

Hannah shrugs. “Otis is a golden retriever. Liam is like…a grumpy old dog who barks at people to get off his porch, then barks at them for leaving.”

“And you’re the kind of woman who barks back,” I say.

Hannah smiles. “I’ll drink to that.”

“Me too,” Briar says, lifting one of her cups. “But I have a feeling the trouble isn’t over.”

Same.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ROB

Monday passes in a blur of band practice, work, and Sophie. A pretty good blur, if you want to know the truth.

Travis seems more himself, Bixby is in a good mood that won’t quit, and the kids are mostly behaving themselves. Sophie is…

She’s delightful. She’s funny. She’s sweet. I mean…she invited the kid down the hall over for ice cream because she felt guilty about their squabble over the weekend.

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