Page 32 of Hardy

“I knew it.I knew Hardywas good in bed.”

“You’ve never actuallyslept with him, have you?”Rose asked.

Sandy paused, and a frown came acrossher face.

“Forget I said anything,”Rose said, stepping away from Sandy.

The other woman wasn’t going to lether go easily.

“Do you really think I’d dosomething like that?”Sandy asked.

Rose detected the hurt in the otherwoman’s voice, and she felt like the worst kind of person in theworld.

“I don’t know.”

“I fucked the men who wereavailable, Rose.I never fucked any of the married men.Even ifTiny had been married at the time, he wouldn’t have been on my listof men to sleep with.In fact, I didn’t have a fucking list, okay?I slept with whoever wanted me, and who I was willing tofuck.”

“Okay, I getit.”

Sandy’s hand tightened on her arm.“No, Idon’t think you do get it.Hardy hasn’t touched another club whoresince you found him all of those years ago.”

Rose smiled.“Don’t worry aboutit.”

“No, I do worry about it.Iget that you’re pissed at him, and whatever you’ve had going on inyour life, but I swear to you, Hardy loves you.He doesn’t wantanyone else but you.You are the love of his life.”

The rest of the women had stopped andwere watching them.

Tears sprang to Rose’s eyes.“I don’twant to do this.”

“I think it’s time you diddo this.”Sandy looked back toward the other women.“I’ve gotthis.”

“Are you sure?”Angelasked, stepping forward.

Rose waved them on.“Yeah, I need toeat something.I’ll be fine.”

They nodded, reluctantly leaving them.Fighter followed them while Ink took to guarding the rest of thewomen.They went to a coffee shop within the mall.Rose stayedoutside while Sandy got them some drinks and something to eat.Fighter sat a table behind them.

Roseliked Fighter even if he talked whenshe really didn’t want him to.He had a mind of his own, and wantedpeople to know it as well.

Sandy came back ten minutes later,placing down a tray filled with snacks.

“Right, I’ve got everything, andI even snagged some napkins that we can use as tissues in case thisbecomes emotional for you.Did I ever tell you women with a bun inthe oven get over emotional?With your situation I’m surprisedyou’re not drowning in tears.”

“My situation?”Rose asked,filling her tea with lots of sugar.She didn’t know if she wantedto understand what her situation was.

“You know, dealing withHardy and all of his crap.”

Releasing a sigh, Rose staredsomewhere past Sandy’s shoulder.

“I don’t think so, missy,” Sandysaid, clicking her fingers.“I could be trying on new sexyunderwear, and yet I’m here talking to you about yourhusband.”

Rose let out a sigh.“I know.I’msorry.”

“Honey, Hardy lovesyou.”

“He cheated.”

“A long time ago, and I know it’sno excuse, but this is a little outdated for your outrage.Weren’tyou pissed off when it happened?”

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