Page 114 of Inferno

Georgina shook her head. “I hate to say this about someone we both consider a dear friend, but Celeste is out of her fucking mind.”

This startled a laugh out of Prissy.“Georgina Reddick!Since when do you use that kind of language?”

Georgina grinned unabashedly. “Sometimes profanity conveys what mere words cannot. I know Celeste had her reasons for doing what she did, but I truly believe she loves Sterling, and someday she’s going to regret her decision to leave him and those precious boys.”

“I know,” Prissy murmured,swallowing a lump of sorrow at the thought of Celeste’s lost baby. “I told her the same thing.”

“Unfortunately for her, by the time she realizes her mistake, it may be too late.”

“You think Sterling is going to remarry?”

“Oh, definitely.Some smart, lucky woman is gonna snatch up that Wolf.”

Prissy smiled quietly. She hoped her friend was right. Sterling had so much love to give. He deserved to find someone who would appreciate all he had to offer.

She slanted Georgina a sidelong glance. “What about you? Do you thinkyou’llever remarry?”

Before Georgina could respond, the basement door burst open, and out ran Quentin and Montana.

As they laughingly raced toward the kitchen, Georgina called out, “Quentin Fraser Reddick! What have I told you about running in the house?”

“Both of you should know better,” Prissy added admonishingly.

“Sorry, Ma, but Dad told us to hurry up with getting more snacks!”

As Montana continued to the kitchen, Quentin reversed direction and sauntered over to the living room. His golden skin was flushed from his sprint up the stairs, and his hazel eyes were bright with irrepressible laughter.

He was such a handsome boy, Prissy mused fondly. He and Michael had been best friends practically from birth, vigorously kicking inside their mother’s wombs every time Celeste and Georgina were together. They’d been born three weeks apart and had been inseparable ever since.

Reaching the sofa, Quentin leaned down and kissed Georgina’s forehead.“Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, Junebug.”She smiled, affectionately cupping his cheek. “Who’s winning the game?”

He groaned. “You know who. Uncle Sterling.”

Georgina and Prissy laughed.

“Uncle Stan’s doing prettygood, too,” Quentin informed Prissy.

“Whew,” she said, making an exaggerated show of wiping her forehead. “That’sa relief.”

Quentin grinned at her.

“We’re leaving for the cabin afterdinner,” Georgina reminded her son, “so make sure you have all your things together.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Q,” Montana called from the kitchen, “I need your help carrying all the snacks!”

“Chill, dude.I’m coming.” Quentin smiled at his mother and Prissy.“Gotta go.”

And then he was off again, calling over his shoulder, “Thanks for inviting us this week, Aunt Prissy. This is the coolest vacation ever!”

Prissy and Georgina laughed, watching as he and Monty headed back downstairs with armfuls of sodas and bags of chips.

Alone once again, Prissy grinned conspiratorially at Georgina. “I just have one question. Are you and Sterling gonna be sneaking into each other’s rooms for some hanky panky late at night?”

Georgina chuckled, her cheeks flushing as she shook her head. “Considering that I’m rooming with Mama Wolf, sneaking around might be a bit of a challenge. Not that we’d even try something like that.” She sighed, a bit wistfully. “What Sterling and I shared was truly special, but we don’t intend to start sleeping together. Sterling still loves Celeste, and I’m still mourning Fraser. So this isn’t the right time for us to become involved.”