Page 75 of Somehow You Knew

Hazel

“There you two are!” My mother swings the front door open before Gage and I can even knock.

“Here we are,” I say sarcastically, bracing myself for dinner with my family while this time pretending that everything is fine between Gage and me.

And technically, I guess it is. We don’t really speak unless necessary, we’re both very busy with work, and when we do talk, it’s very surface level, especially after our game of Truth or Drink the other night.

This back and forth with him just gets more intense, especially when the letters come, and I’m not sure how much longer I can put up with his bullshit.

He sure as hell isn’t trying to make things more comfortable for me, so why should I bother?

“Nice to see you, Catherine,” Gage says, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“I feel like it’s been ages. We all live in the same town, and I barely see my children anymore.”

Parker comes out of the kitchen, eating a cracker. “Hey, it’s the newlyweds!”

“Watch it,” I say, sidestepping him and heading toward the kitchen where I know there is wine.

“Oh, do I sense some trouble in paradise?” he taunts.

Cashlynn appears at his side and pokes him in the ribs. “Leave them alone, Parker.” She pulls me into a quick hug. “You looked like you could use one of those.”

I chuckle. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”

She arches a brow. “You sure?”

I glance over at my husband, who’s now engrossed in a conversation with Parker. “We can talk later.”

Cashlynn nods. “Yes, please. I’m sorry I haven’t been a good friend lately, but the gallery has been insane, and planning a wedding is taking it out of me.”

I hold my hand up to stop her. “No need to apologize. Work has been crazy for me too, but tonight we can catch up.”

She looks over at Gage and Parker. “How are things going?”

“I honestly don’t even know how to answer that.”

Astrid and Willow walk into the kitchen from the back deck.

“Hey, Hazel! We were just talking about you,” Astrid says.

They come closer and Astrid lowers her voice. “Did you know they opened a sex store in Castle?”

“What? No.”

“Yep, finally! Willow, Cashlynn, and I are planning on checking it out soon.”

The other two nod eagerly.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll have fun.”

“You don’t want to go with us?” Cashlynn asks.

My eyes find Gage across the room. “Nah, I’m good.”

Thegirls exchange worried looks.

“Oh, does that mean—” Willow starts, but I cut her off before she can finish that thought.

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