For a few beats, the only sound in the room was the whoosh of carbon dioxide as Nick lifted the ring pull on his limonata. “Yeah. She’s pissed off with me.”

Alice wanted to ask why but something indefinable kept her silent.

Nick took a swig from his can, swallowed and then gave a tight laugh as he caught the look on her face. “No need to go all evil twin on me. It’s not like it’s a secret Jess is ticked off with me. But if it’s okay with you, don’t tell Libs you saw us arguing. She can be a bit … touchy about Jess.”

It was the first time Nick had ever mentioned her twin’s protective instincts toward her friend, and just like that, they were coconspirators. “Tell me about it! None of us can say anything against her. And if we dare, we’re instantly guilted about her difficult childhood and how hard she’s worked to get where she is. Then we’re told—” Alice raised her fingers in quotation signs, “—‘instead of criticizing, you should admire how much Jess has achieved.’”

Nick returned her grin and an unexpected niggle of twin betrayal snagged her glee. Alice ignored it. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to Libs, but it’s nice to know someone understands.”

“Thanks. Don’t get me wrong. I really appreciate the way Jess always has Libby’s back, but—” The cell phone buzzed again and this time he glanced at the screen. A muscle close to his jaw twitched and he declined the call.

“But?” Alice prompted, hoping to hear more negative thoughts about Jess and knowing it was probably unhealthy to want it this much.

“Sometimes she goes too far and plonks herself into my marriage.”

“Is that what she’s done today?”

“Yeah. She’s booked us a weekend at Dinner Plain.”

Disappointment doused Alice. Given how much Libby and Nick did for Jess, this didn’t look anything like Jess inserting herself into their marriage—it looked like a token of appreciation. “And that’s a bad thing how?”

“Hell, I don’t know!” He flinched and rubbed his chest. “Just saying it out loud makes me sound stupid. I’m probably overreacting, right?”

Alice wasn’t following. His words sounded reasonable but the tension in his body told a different story. “Overreacting’s not something you’re known for. I’m sure you’ve got your reasons.”

He screwed up his mouth as if he was holding back words before huffing out a sigh. “It’s just with the practice being one doctor down, it’s a monumental effort for us to get away. I suppose it would be worth it. We’ve all gone away together before and I know the kids will love it.”