Page 50 of Wreck Me

Monique smiled in surprise before releasing a firehose of information about the tweaks she’d made to her complicated monthly exercise schedule and the latest exciting developments in EVA foam soles. It was just the sort of detail-infested lecture Ginny would ordinarily have put a quick stop to through a series of increasingly snarky remarks. Instead, as a thank you, Ginny sat there feigning interest and feeling magnanimous as she drowned cloud-fluffy pancakes in syrup and gulped down iced coffee.

In the end, it was Sadie who, when Monique made the mistake of breathing, jumped in. “Let’s do the toast.”

Monique looked startled for a second. “Oh, sorry, yes. I get a little excited about my running.”

“I don’t mind,” Grant said. “I always learn so much from you. Maybe after breakfast you could take a look at the wear pattern on my new running shoes? I think I may be pronating more in them than with my old ones.”

“I’d be happy to,” Monique said.

The sisters lifted whatever beverage they were working on and said, in unison, “To Mom and Dad.”

“And we might as well do the spinster pact too,” Monique said. “No dates for me.”

Ginny wondered whether dreams counted as dating but quickly decided they did not. Plus, having romantic feelings forNico wouldnotcount as winning, and so therefore she didn’t have any feelings whatsoever for Nico.

Suddenly, they were all looking at her expectantly. “What? Sheesh, I’ve been taking turns living with you guys for weeks. You know I'm not dating anyone.”

“It took you a while to answer,” Sadie said.

Ginny gave them all a coy look. “That’s because…well…there is someone who’s been on my mind…” Sadie and Grant leaned forward while Monique noticeably stiffened. This was just the response Ginny expected. “Ohhh, yes,” she said with a sexy lilt. “He’s got the biggest brown eyes, and he rubs his butt all over the carpets.”

Grant and Sadie let out a laugh. “Mick!”

“It’s good to have you back,” Grant said, lifting a glass in toast to her.

Monique made a disgusted face. “I had all my rugs cleaned the day you moved out and came here.”

“I am sorry about the dogs,” Ginny said to her hosts. “They can be a lot.”

“Are you kidding?” Grant said, “I’m a dog person. I love them.”

Sadie rested her chin on one hand and scrunched up her face. “Don’t get me wrong—we love having you stay with us—but I’m more of a ceramic dog person. Though I am looking forward to getting brand new carpets out of the deal once you do find your own place.”

“Carpets?” Monique said with almost as much disdain as she’d shown for the dogs. “Hardwood floors and Persian rugs would be a much better investment.”

Sadie sat up straight and clapped her hands giddily. “Oh, yes! What a great idea! Don’t you think so, Grant?”

He kissed her on the cheek. “If it will make you happy, my love, it will make me happy.”

Sadie gave him a peck on the lips. “You make me happy.”

“No, you do,” he said, his voice lowering.

Monique smacked both hands onto the table’s edge loud enough it startled the dogs. “Okay, okay. Enough with the domestic bliss.”

“Yeah, and I could do with a lot less discussion of home improvements?” Ginny added.

Sadie stuck the barest tip of her tongue out at Monique but sent sympathetic eyes toward Ginny. “Sorry, sweetie.”

There was a moment of silence, and then Sadie reached across the table and poked Monique’s hand playfully. “Speaking of which, don’t you have something to tell Ginny?”

Monique pulled her hand away, frowning. “No.”

“Something aboutwork?” Sadie pressed.

Monique added head shaking to her frown. “There was something you said I should tell her but, in my personal opinion, it’s not a good idea.”

Sadie poked Ginny’s hand next. “Don’t you want to know about this thing that happened at Monique’s work?”

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