Page 95 of Lady Sings the Blues

“Chaos says I’m not allowed to answerI’m fine. He says I have to answer truthfully, or he’s forcing me to a shrink. So I’m not fine, but I’m better than I was.”

This is not a moment for words. This is a moment for hugs. And she’s just going to have to suffer through it. I shove up from my chair tucked between the wall and pool table to make it to her in three quick steps, and pull her into my arms.

“Love you, Liv.”

“Liv, I’m Maryanne,” she says by way of introduction as she wraps her arms around both Liv and me. “I can’t be left out of hugs. It’s a sickness.”

I can always count on Maryanne to give the tension break we all need.

“What’s going down at the pool table?” Liv asks, pointing to our workstation once we’ve let her go.

“It’s where all the cool kids hang.” Maryanne answers for me.

I laugh, feeling that lightness Beau said we all need, and shake my head. “Planning a wedding. Beau got bent because the ultrasound picture said baby Manning.”

“Let me guess,” Liv says back. “Anyone livin’ under my roof has the last name Hollister.” She drops her voice and pulls out her best country twang to sound like Beau.

“How’d you know?”

“Chaos was bitching at me last night.The nerve of you having them put the name Manning instead.I tried to tell him it doesn’t work that way. No matter how many times I told him you don’t chose the baby’s last name until it’s born. While it’s inside the mama, it’s got the mama’s name. He thinks you could force the issue.”

“Men,” Maryanne grumbles.

“Men,” both Liv and I agree.

“Would you stand up with me?” I ask her.

Those big blue eyes of hers go even bigger.

“Think you’re up for it?”

“Oh Elise, I’d be honored. This is…this is…amazing.” And she burst out in tears.

“Honey, please don’t cry.” My arms circle her waist as I try my best to console her. “Well you and Maryanne together, pick out a few different ideas for bridesmaid dresses. We’re going for biker chic. Then you can show the choices to Trisha.”

“Aren’t you a bridesmaid short?” Maryanne asks.

I throw her a ‘what?’ glance.

She throws a frustrated ‘come on’ back my way. “Beau’ll have Tommy. He’ll have Chaos. Sneak. But he’s not getting married without Liv’s brother standing up with him. You said Carver’s officiating.”

“He is.”

“Well then, who you gonna ask?”

“Who won’t Blood mind standing up with?”

“There’s a hot mama he talked about all the time. Although I’m not sure she actually sleeps with the men. More helps take care of them for a place to stay. You’ve probably seen her around,” Liv says. “Her name is Hannah. I don’t know that he’s sweet on her, but they’re definitely friends.”

“Hannah?Oh, right. With the long brown hair and great big boobs.” I shake my head as I think about it. “I do know her a little. She’s friends with Trisha. One of the dancers at the club. I wonder if she’d do it, since we don’t really know each other well.”

“You could always be a bitch.” Maryanne cuts in. “And ask Candy to stand with you.”

“Girl, she’s not even invited. Terms of me saying yes. No Candy. No George and Margo.”

“Like George and Margo would show if they were. YouHollister whore.”

Maryanne would be the only person on this planet allowed to call me that without threat of ass kicking. So to that, I rub at my eyes with my middle fingers, flipping her the double bird.

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