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“Overwhelmed?”

“A little.” Rebecca scoffed. “Or a lot.”

“You don’t like being the one everyone is here for, do you? When others need help, you’re the first one there, but when it’s you…”

“Are you analyzing me, Cassidy?”

Cass turned Rebecca to face her. “No, ma’am. I’m telling my wife what I honestly see. We do that now, right?” she grinned.

“Mmhmm.” Rebecca had to chuckle at Cassidy’s failed attempt at innocence. “You’re right.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Cass tugged on her earlobe. “I think I heard what you said, but I’m not sure. Could you repeat it?”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes at her lover. “You are just itching for a spanking, aren’t you?”

“Baby, you have no idea.” Cass wiggled her eyebrows and thrust her pelvis into a giggling Rebecca. “Unfortunately, we have a house full of guests. One of which would like to talk to you if you’re up for it.” When Rebecca nodded, Cass called out. “Hunt?”

The slight smile on Rebecca’s lips faded when Hunter walked in.

“Hey, Becca.”

“Hello, Hunter.”

Cass didn’t miss Rebecca’s look. That look was Mistress, and a very annoyed Rebecca all rolled into one.

“I, uh, I’m just gonna…” Cass kissed Rebecca quickly on the cheek, patted Hunter’s shoulder, and high-tailed it out of there.

Hunter cleared her throat. “How are you feeling? Have the headaches diminished?”

“Oh, I see. You’re here as a doctor.” Rebecca crossed her arms and turned back to the window.

“Becca, I know you blame me for what happened.”

Rebecca whirled back around. “Is that what you think? That I blame you for losing my memory? Wow, doctors really do have God complexes.”

Hunter sighed. “I don’t have a complex, Rebecca. I’m just saying I understand. If I had suggested an alternate solution and not made you get the surgery…”

“Made me?” Rebecca scoffed. “No one makes me do anything, Hunter. You found the tumor, you found me the best doctor in the country, and you offered your opinion on the remedies. I took all of that information, talked to my wife, and made a decision based on what was best for me and those I love.”

“Then,” Hunter frowned, “why are you pissed at me? Cuz I’d rather you punch me than give me the cold shoulder.”

“Cassidy already did that.” Rebecca shook her head and paced away. “Where were you, Hunter? Hmm? You’re my oldest friend, the one who was there for me when I woke up from nearly being killed. But this time?” Rebecca threw her hands in the air. “I saw Blaise and Eve and Lainey. Hell, I even saw Ellie. Where were you? Where the fuck were you?”

Hunter sat heavily in one of the chairs in the room. “I fucked up, Becca. I’m a fucking coward. I watched you go through that once, and I – I couldn’t do it again. Especially because I blamed myself for what was happening.”

“So, you just stayed away. Cassidy and I were there for you when Ellie was hurt. We’re there for all of you. Even if you couldn’t be around me, why in the hell weren’t you there for Cassidy when she needed you?”

“Hang on, babe.” Cass popped into the office and shut the door behind her. Geez, if Ellie knew Rebecca was tearing Hunter a new one, who knew what the fuck would happen. “Hunter was there for me. Yeah, I was eavesdropping,” she explained when Rebecca raised a brow. “I saw the look on your face when Hunt came in here. I’ve put her through enough. And I think she’s put herself through the wringer.”

Cass stood close to Rebecca but didn’t touch her. She knew her wife well enough not to try to placate her or distract her from the truth.

“Everyone was there for me despite what I did to Hunter. Ellie sat with me, talked to me, and gave me hope that even if you didn’t get your memory back, you could fall in love with me again. Eve stopped by and spoke to me about… the facts.” Cass leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper. “She even hugged me.”

Rebecca bit her lip to keep from laughing. She was still annoyed with Hunter, but Cass’s recounting of their friends being there was beginning to thaw the coldness in her heart.

“And Hunt?” Cass laid a hand on Hunter’s shoulder in support and gratitude. “I didn’t deserve your forgiveness. No matter what I was going through, I should never have hit you. Being married to who I’m married to, I should know that better than anyone else.” She looked at Rebecca. “I blamed Hunter, yet she showed up at my door and sat there with me as I bawled my fucking eyes out without an ounce of judgment. The others, including your aunt, came up with that little scheme of theirs to get us to spend the day together so I could charm you. Hell, even Mo sent me a case of her new beer. Then Patty sent flowers and said she was sacrificing herself to keep Mo from coming over and drinking the beer herself.”

Rebecca finally lost her battle with the laughter and snorted. “That sounds like Mo.” She became serious again as she thought about everything Cassidy just told her. She hadn’t known about the crying or the loss of hope. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”