Page 20 of Wanting the Winger

That’s what I should do, but I don’t.Instead, I make a plate of roasted meats, veggies and fondue, with several more chunks of bread.It’s a good thing I stopped to get two bottles of wine to bring over since I’m eating like I’m on death row awaiting execution.

“What’s in the fondue?”I ask Harry.

“I use Gruyère and Swiss.There’s also some butter, herbs and white wine.”

I close my eyes as I take another bite.I’m not sure I’ve ever tasted anything so delicious.

“See why fondue night is the best night of the month?”Mara says.

“Mm-hmm.”I’m chewing, so I don’t give a full answer.

The girls are dipping strawberries and marshmallows in the chocolate fondue fountain, Darling the pig snuffling up at the kitchen island the fountains are sitting on.The youngest girl, Hallie, slips him a chunk of bread.

“So, how did the rest of Saturday go, Lainey?”Suki asks me.

I set my plate down and thank Dex for the glass of wine he passes me.“Not great.Shane left when we got back to Bash’s when Bash said we had to sleep in separate rooms.”

Mara gasps.“No, he did not.”

“He did.”

I fill Mara, Dex and Harry in on what happened at the cookout, Mara slapping a hand over her mouth when she cackles over Bash’s “speck of dust” comment.

“I’m so sorry for laughing,” she says.

I wave a hand.“It’s fine.It is a tiny stone.I just don’t care.A relationship isn’t supposed to be about how much things cost.”

“Totally agree,” Harry says.

Dex wrinkles his nose, leaning his hip against the kitchen counter.“True...but it’s also about how much of what someone has they’re willing to share with you.If he’s just starting out and doesn’t have a lot of money, that’s one thing.”

I don’t really know how much money Shane has.The pool business he and his brother own seems to be doing great, but I don’t know how much of their profit they have to reinvest back into the business.I’ve never thought of asking.

“Well, I went out with that investment banker I’ve been talking to.”Mara looks over her shoulder to make sure the girls can’t hear.“I was hoping to get railed within an inch of my life because it’s been seven months and thirteen days, but who’s counting?We were having a drink and he went to the bathroom.I ended up going to the bathroom, too, which is the only way I was able to see himasking another woman for her numberon the way back to our table.”

My jaw drops with shock.“No.”

“Mm-hmm, girl.It’s hell out there.”

“What’d you do?”Dex asks, biting into a carrot with a crunch.

“I told her I was on a date with him and then I dumped my drink in his lap and left.”

Suki walks over to Mara and clinks her glass.

“What do you do for a living, Mara?”I ask.

“I’m an attorney.”

She’s telling me about her work when I get an all too familiar rumble in my stomach.

Shit.Shit, shit,shit.I knew better than to eat so much cheese fondue, but I was excited about the invite here and wanted Harry to know how much I liked his food.

And now irritable bowel syndrome has joined the conversation.I know my body well, and I have less than thirty minutes until my intestinal tract detonates.

I can’t spend thirty minutes or more shitting my guts out in one of Suki’s bathrooms.I’d rather end up at a gross gas station bathroom if I can’t get back to Bash’s house on time.

The next rumble in my stomach is stronger, sending a little shot of pain through my gut.

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