“Temporary separation,” Abigail muttered immediately. “Jack will be back. He just needs to sow a few oats. You know how that goes.”

“Not really.” Angi shook her head. “But I understand that issues within the family can be difficult for kids. I hope Johnny is past his acting out. Andrew wants to get along with everyone in his class.”

Abigail’s complexion mottled with ugly splotches of color. “I hope that you aren’t comparing my son to your strange little boy. Johnny has a father and friends. He’s not a misfit.”

Strange. Misfit. Angi swallowed back her anger. “Andrew is kind and has a big heart.” She took a step closer to Abigail, her patience at an end. She’d tried turning the other cheek and encouraging her son to do the same. Now she realized that part of wanting Andrew to fit in or try to play nice was left over from her own childhood insecurities. She felt bad about her situation and hadn’t wanted him to make waves.

It was past time she stop playing small. “I don’t give a damn if Jack sows his oats from here to Pensacola. Nothing about the situation excuses you or your son or anyone in your family from being mean. It ends now.”

“Calm down, Ang,” Sara said with a nervous laugh. “People are starting to stare. I know that Italian temper is cute, but...”

“This isn’t my temper talking.” Angi cut a glare to Sara that had her taking a step back. “I should have stood up to the two of you years ago. Just like Andrew stood up to your son when he was behaving like a bully. I don’t give a rat’s behind what happened when we were in high school or what you think you know about me. I’m not the same girl I was back then, and it’s pathetic that grown women still play the sort of petty popularity games you tried to win as kids. Grow up, both of you.” She leaned in toward Abigail. “Keep your kid away from mine. This is our issue now, and you don’t want to take me on.”

“You promised me a dance, Angi.”

She rolled her shoulders and turned to Gabe, who was standing just behind her, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“RPC is overset at the moment,” Sara said smoothly. “She might need a breather to collect herself. Perhaps you’d be a gentleman and dance with me, Gabriel?” Her smile turned sickly sweet as she held out a hand. “My husband, bless his heart, had a late meeting tonight so I’m here all on my own.”

As Abigail sucked in great gulps of air, obviously trying to calm herself, Sara turned her back fully on her friend. Clearly Abigail was a liability at the moment, part of the scene Angi had created. She could feel the weight of curious gazes but couldn’t quite bring herself to care. What she did care about, however, was the thought of Gabe choosing Sara in this moment.