Page 177 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“Thanks, Joel,” I tell him as we go our separate ways down the sidewalk.

“For what?” he asks, though I think he knows why.

“For not calling me a sucky ass partner and requesting someone new to dance with while I was gone.”

He shakes his head. “Pfft. You’re the best dancer at this school, even on your worst days, Mads. You’re stuck with me until we graduate.”

A month has passed since Liam and I got back to Sacramento, and so far, the bottom hasn’t fallen out. Not that I expected it to but when Victoria is involved, you never know.

I wrap a towel around my body and towel-dry my hair before getting dressed. Today, I have a date with my sisters, a much-needed one at that. Though, I’m not sure how long we’ll betogether because we’re doing our last fitting for our dresses for Mason and Sophie’s wedding. She’s been overly particular about colors and flowers. It could either be quick or painstakingly long. The plan is to go with the flow because it's her day, and I don’t care what we wear. Liam will want to tear it off afterward anyway.

After I’m ready, I go downstairs where Sophie is eagerly waiting for me as she types away on her phone, probably to Lennon.

“That took forever!” she exclaims with a big cheesy grin on her face. She’s been waiting for this for weeks. Liam left before the sun rose to track a fugitive up north and Mason went to the office to help oversee some big investigation he’s working on at the moment. It’s going to be us girls only, and I couldn’t be more excited. When I was cooped up in Montana, I dreamed about being able to speak with Sophie and Lennon. It nearly killed me not being able to or, even worse, missing something as important as this.

“Lennon’s meeting us there after she drops off the kids with Mrs. Locke. She said something about mimosas and massages.”

“And that’s why she’s my favorite sister,” I quip.

“Come on, turd,” Sophie says, grabbing her purse and swinging it over her shoulder.

Laughter tumbles out of my mouth. “Turd? We’re going G-rated with the name-calling these days?”

“Would you prefershithead?” Sophie giggles and unlocks the car once we’re outside.

“You’ve been hanging around Hunter too long. I think you’ve got Dad jokes now,” I tell her as we climb inside.

“You know I can drive us,” I tell her, looking at my car.

I’m so damn happy I got it back and don’t have to bum rides, though I enjoyed getting to spend more time with Liam. I glance over and see the G-Wagon on the street and look back towardSophie, wishing every piece of Victoria would disappear from our lives. If Sophie notices my change in mood, she doesn’t mention it, which I’m grateful for because I don’t want to keep talking about it.

“Are you getting more excited about the wedding now that it’s only a couple of months away?” I ask her, knowing she loves to chat about it. Mason and she are getting married the first week of December, and it’s almost go-time. Sophie’s meticulous about everything, nearly as much as Lennon and me—a Corrigan trait— so she hasn’t left a stone unturned when it comes to planning. Hell, the two of them have been thumbing through wedding magazines every weekend at breakfast for months.

She sucks in a deep breath and lets out a dreamy sigh. “Yes. I seriously can’t wait to marry the man of my dreams. I’m gonna be Mrs. Sophie Holt. Mason and Sophie Holt. Mr. and Mrs. Mason Holt.” I crack up at the way she’s trying her soon-to-be last name. “Do you think it sounds weird?”

“Not any weirder than Lennon Manning,” I snicker, and Sophie swats at me. “Be nice.”

“It’s just all the n’s. Makes me want to sing theBatmantune.”

“I’m telling her you said that.”

“I already have! She thought it was adorable in the way Lennon thinks everything is adorable these days. I think it’s the mom in her,” I suggest.

Sophie parks the car and we see Lennon waiting in the front. Even after all these years, she’s still punctual as hell. As soon as we make it to her she gives us hugs. “You’re five minutes late.”

“Blame that one.” Sophie points at me.

“I had to shower! Unless you want me sweaty and dirty,” I exclaim.

“Is that a sex joke, Maddie?” Lennon asks.

I chuckle. “Ha, yep!”

Nothing about having sex with Liam embarrasses me. I want the whole world to know he’sallmine. I’ve only been waiting since I was seventeen.

“Lord. I can’t take either of you anywhere.” Sophie grins and shoos us inside.

As soon as we’re at the counter, one of the workers walks up and introduces herself as Mel. She smiles as she types on a keyboard, then tells us she’ll grab our items. Mel walks us into a private area with mirrors and dressing rooms, then asks Sophie if she’d like help putting on her wedding gown. Sophie’s adamant she can do it herself so Mel hands us our garments and it takes no time for me and Lennon to slip into ours before Sophie begs for help.