Page 23 of The Love Playbook

I shimmy the short dress I’m wearing down my thighs with my best resting-bitch face, so as to scare off anything with a penis.

“Okay, girls.” I turn to them. “Who wants shots?” I raise my hand and the girls cheer before we head to the bar whereI’m relieved to see a chick working and not James. Otherwise, Samantha would be glued to his side watching him pour drinks all night. Talk about boring.

I order four shots of tequila and lay down some cash, before I divvy them out, and raise mine in a toast. “To best friends!”

“Cheers to that,” Brynn says as we all clink glasses, then down our shots.

With a hiss, I shake off the aftereffects of the tequila while Brynn orders us a round of mixed drinks to take with us to the dance floor.

“So, tell us about your father’s new girlfriend,” Samantha says while we wait.

I exhale, blowing the bangs out of my face with a bark of laughter. “Oh, man. If I tell you, you’ll never believe it.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widen. “Is she an escort?”

I roll my eyes. “That’s where your mind went? No, she’s not an escort.”

The bartender delivers our drinks, and I pick mine up, taking a sip of the Cosmo while the girls watch intently, waiting for further explanation.

Here goes nothing.

“My father is dating Chris Collins’ mother.”

Brynn’s jaw drops. “Get. Out!” She smacks me on the arm. “OurChris Collins? Like, the Griffins’ running back Chris Collins? My boyfriend’s roommate, Chris Collins?”

My brows rise. “Well, he’s notmyChris Collins, that’s for damn sure, but if you’re referring to the boy who’s inserted himself like a leech into our lives since you started dating his roommate, then yes. It’sthatChris Collins.”

“No way.” Shannon shakes her head, her lips tipping into a cruel smile. “That’s . . .”

“Diabolical?” I finish for her with a grimace. “Yes, I know. I mean, what are the fucking odds?” I say, throwing my freehand in the air before I start guiding us across the bar toward an empty booth in the back. “Of all the women in the state of Michigan, my father finds Chris’s fucking mom?” I shake my head, stirring the ice in my drink with the little cocktail straw.

“Oh my gosh!” Liz slaps a hand over her mouth. “So, was Chris the son who went to dinner?” Elizabeth asks.

“Yup,” I say, popping thep. “Imagine my surprise when I show up at my dad’s place and walk inside, only to see Chris standing there in the kitchen, clutching a glass of wine and grinning like an asshole.”

Brynn covers her mouth with a laugh. “Oh, man. I would’ve paidsomeseriousmoney to see the look on your face.”

“I’m sure it was priceless,” I say, my tone dry as I slide into the vinyl booth.

“So, what did you do?” Shannon asks, taking the seat across from me.

“Well, it took me a moment to recover from the shock, and once it sank in that my father must be dating his mother, I thought for sure it had to be some kind of joke. I mean, what are the fucking chances?” I shake my head and take a sip of my drink. “Spoiler: It wasn’t. But it gets better.”

“No way. Better than your father dating Chris’s mom?” Brynn asks, eyes sparkling like gemstones.

She’s having way too much fun with this.

I cock a brow. “Over dessert, they dropped the bomb on us that they’re getting married over spring break, and they want us both to be in the wedding.”

“No!” Elizabeth screams, covering her mouth with her hands at the same time there’s a unanimous gasp among my friends.

“Yep. I can’t make this shit up.”

“Oh, my. That’s . . .” Samantha shakes her head. “What did Chris say?”

“Chris?” I roll my eyes. “You know him. He was his usual overly chipper self and allif you’re happy, I’m happy,” I say, mocking him.

“And how would you feel if it wasn’t Chris’s mom?” Shannon asks.