Page 53 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“He stood up for me, for us, but as good as Blake and his sister, Jupiter, are, the rest of them are pure evil and I’m a smart enough woman to recognize a credible threat. So, I agreed.”

“Jesus, Gloria, are you sure you want to stay married?” Sierra asked. “He seems like a good man, but I don’t know...”

Well, if that didn’t slap the sober back into this reunion. “Stop,” I said. “I love him.He’snotthem. I’d marry him again even knowing all this.”

“Honey, loving someone isn’t always enough.”

“It’s enough for me.” I paused, took a breath, then continued on. “His grandfather, the one that died, left Blake the bulk of his estate if he married before thirty. Blake’s twenty-eight. But the caveat is, he can’t get divorced or all the money goes to the NRA.”

“And Blake’s not a supporter?”

“Not even close.”

“Good play, Grandpa,” Pen said. And yeah, a seriously good play.

“Guys, I gethalfif we stay married.”

“Is money enough to compromise yourself?” Sierra asked—ouch.

“That’s not fair. Some of us weren’t raised Von Duttons or Winthrops. For the first time in my life, I’m not the poor friend and I have the chance to do some real good in this world.”

“You were never the?—”

“Oh no, we both know I was.” You better believe I cut her off. “But if we stay married, I’m worthbillions.”

Wendy cough-choked. “Excuse me?”

“I know. So, if I have to suck it up and walk the campaign trail to keep my mom safe and help families in need, well, my conscience is clean.”

“Whatever you need,” Pen said, reaching over and giving my knee a squeeze. “I’m here for you.”

“I know.” But the heavy had to end or we’d end this night with me a sobbing, redheaded mess, which meant more mudslides to get the party vibe going again. I walked over to grab the pitcher from the small outdoor freezer, carrying it backto top off the girls. When I stopped to fill Sierra’s glass I asked, “Now what I need to know is what’s up with you and Pete?”

Sierra blanched.Oh-ho-ho…I loved me some juicy gossip.

“I’ve been trying to get it out of her for months now,” Pen said. “She won’t talk.”

“Si?” I asked.

“There’s nothing between me and Pete,” she answered and both Pen and I waited her out. I didn’t believe that one damn bit. And it only… took… until… “Okay, so we slept together a couple of times. It’s no big deal.”

“Bull,” I said, shaking my head as I sucked up the mudslide through my straw. “The man looked at you like he wanted to eat you up.”

“Is he a bad lay?” Pen asked. “I’ve never gotten that vibe off of him.”

Sierra’s cheeks pinked.

“Well?” Wendy asked, and we all looked at her. “What?” she said. “I’m invested.”

We all were.

“No,” Sierra replied. “The man has… I’ve never…” She swallowed hard. “He’snota bad lay. Can we leave it alone now? Tonight is about Gloria. I take it Blake knows how to rock your world.”

“Off its axis,” I admitted and Pen and Wendy started giggling. “Honest to god, I had no idea sex could be like that.”

“I bet he has a dirty side.” Wendy sipped on her straw. “The clean ones always have a dirty side.”

I cracked up.Wendy, you got some ’splaining to do.And I shot her the ‘do tell’ eyes.

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