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NICKY

“I feel like these photos should have come with a ratings warning,” I mumble as I flip through the pictures Nadia just texted to me.

Emma laughs, flakes of the dried egg mask on her face cracking off and falling into her mocktail. “I know, right?”

I’m still in shock. Grammy really dropped a bombshell on me, announcing that she has a new boyfriend. She gushed on and on about him for half an hour. As we all lounge around at our in-home spa, my girls are spilling the tea. And it’s piping hot.

Nadia organizes seniors activities at the community center nearby. “Some new guy recently started attending the seniors’ events,” she says, comfortably reclined with a sheet mask on her face. “He and Grammy hit it off immediately and now they’re virtually inseparable. These spicy pics are photographic evidence of the dirty deeds.”

Sparkle sits on my lap as Meghan applies glittery nail polish to her tiny fingernails. I analyze a picture of Grammy’s new man. “Oh, wow. How does that guy bend like that?” I mumble to myself, tilting my head to watch a video of the group of seniors lined up to play limbo.

Nadia peels a cucumber slice off her eye to peek at us. “The last activity of the week was yoga,” she whispers back.

Meghan nods in understanding as she applies little rhinestones to the toddler’s fingernails. “Ah. That does make sense.”

“Things got really spicy at the community center that day. I’m glad I’d left Sparkle home.” Emma chuckles under her breath, recalling the memory.

Grammy’s been on her own for as long as I can remember. It makes my heart swell to see her happily coupled up now. Watching these pictures of the two of them I have to admit that they do look sweet together.

I don’t know why, but it makes me think of Ronan.

Today is the first time in forever that I haven’t been by his side. I left his place in a rush and it’s been nice to be back home for the day, but now that I’m here, it’s weird being away from him.

This isn’t the first time I’ve wondered what he’s doing today. Is he at the farmer’s market without me? Is he at home practicing on his ice rink?Did he decide that I’m not worth the trouble and download some new dating app?

Argh! Insecurity is an ugly bitch.

Phone still in hand, I give in to my urge to text Ronan.

Me: Hey. Everything okay there?

There’s no moment of hesitation. No little dots bouncing around at the bottom of my screen. His response is almost instant.

Ronan: Yes.

The dry one-liner surprises me. Ronan is usually a chatty guy. Shit—I must have hurt his feelings. I never intended to do that.

I frown down at my phone, trying to figure out how to respond. I don’t want him to think I don’t trust him to behave on his own. I think being under constant watch is starting to wear on him. I tell myself that this is just my job. It’s my job to know what he’s up to at all times.But the truth is, I kind of just want to know how he’s spending his day without me.

I miss him.

I type and delete and type again. But somehow, while I was stressing over what to say, I accidentally send a picture of Grammy and her new beau to Ronan.

Ah, crap.

I’m trying to figure out how to delete it, when a ‘read’ receipt pops up.

Goddamn it, Ronan.

This man wasn’t joking when he said he’d always respond to my text messages.

A new photo from him pops up immediately. I squint, opening an image of a pair of people I don’t recognize hugging in the back of a bar. Huh?

Me: What is that? Why are you sending me a picture of strangers hugging?

Ronan: I thought we were sharing some light porn pics?

Me: That’s my Grammy, you pervert! And I didn’t mean to send you that photo. I just accidentally forwarded it to you.

Ronan: Well, your Grammy has a nice butt.

I growl and Emma glances in my direction.

“You good?” she asks.

“I’m just remembering why I swore off men forever.”

Ronan: I’m kidding, Peach. But I see where you get it now.

Me: Get what?

Ronan: Your butt. Obviously.

Me: Relationship tip—never comment on your girlfriend’s grandma’s butt.

Ronan: Oopsie!

Me: If you text everyone like this, The Saints are going to make me start monitoring your phone soon, too.

Ronan: Guess I’d better start stepping up my porn stash then.

With another exasperated sigh, I slam my phone down on the table. And here I was, thinking that I missed the man.

I shake my damn head.