Page 8

Yes, and apparently now for avoiding exes, too.

Madison, clutching a cold bottle of water, just shook her head. “What are you going to do?”

Haisley shrugged. “Replace some of the kitchen appliances, the refrigerator first. That thing is a relic. Then I think?—”

“I meant about Nash.”

“Nothing. He doesn’t give a shit.”And I hate that I do.

“According to Matt, that’s not true. Apparently, Nash was pretty torn up after you left.”

“If he was sad, it was only because he lost his easy pussy.”Which I stupidly gave him whenever he wanted. “No doubt he’s moved on.”

“That’s what men do.” Madison shrugged. “After I walked away from Matt to marry Todd, you know?—”

“He fucked half the town? Yeah.” She’d hated having to tell Madison something that hurt so much. “But his heart was always with you. Since you left Todd and came home, he hasn’t given another woman the time of day. You’re it for him, girl. Do you know how lucky you are?”

“Every day.” Madison took her hands. “Don’t give up on Nash. I think he still has feelings for you.”

“No need to blow sunshine up my ass.”

She would have said more, but Matt rolled up to the bar and settled his arm around his wife’s waist. He looked at her as if she hung the moon and stars before dropping a kiss on her lips.

“Haisley.” He tipped his hat.

“Hi, Matt. Congrats on your coming baby.”

His smile widened. “I’m the luckiest bastard on the planet.”

“I think I’m pretty lucky, too.” Madison beamed.

Haisley tried not to cry. She didn’t want Matt, but she craved the kind of love Madison had. Unfortunately for her, it didn’t exist. She was destined to be attached to someone who’d never really wanted her.

Isn’t that the story of your life?

The bartender blessed her with another double margarita and a wink. She vaguely remembered him from high school. Yeah, that was a big no thank-you. She gave him a wan smile and a nice tip, then started downing her second drink.

“Ten minutes until midnight.” Gracelyn bounced with excitement.

Yippee. All the couples in this place would be sucking face when the clock struck twelve. She wouldn’t. Neither would Gracelyn and Charli, so at least she wouldn’t be the only sad schmuck alone.

Maybe she should order another drink so she’d have something to do when the countdown ended.

“Wanna dance?” a stranger asked behind her, his voice friendly.

She turned. He wasn’t familiar—a plus. He looked maybe a year or two older—another plus. He wasn’t a troll. And he had a nice smile. “Why not?”

As the music slowed, he led her onto the tiny floor in the middle of the bar. Instantly, he pulled her against his body and swayed with the romantic tune. The dance shouldn’t have been awkward, but this dude was a total stranger who didn’t seem interested in talking. And he’d suddenly grown ten roaming hands.

She grabbed his wrists and pulled his grip off her ass. “What’s your name?”

He laughed. “Something that rhymes with fuck.”

Did he think he was being clever? Was she supposed to guess? “So, Rhymes-with-fuck, do you live in Lafayette?”

“No. Visiting a college friend who grew up here.”

Someone she probably knew—a minus, especially when his hands began wandering again. It also hadn’t escaped her notice that he hadn’t bothered to ask her name.