Nic handed her phone to Eric, listening to his wolf whistle. “You’re out of your mind if you don’t ask this one out.”

Chapter Forty-one

“What’s wrong? You’re being awful quiet.”

“I’m sorry.” Abby glanced to the living room where Jenna and Kate were talking. Kate was nice, she supposed. Certainly attractive. She turned back to Beth. “I don’t guess I have anything in common with her.”

“I’m not sure you’ve had a long enough conversation to find out.” She lifted the lid on the sauce, slowly stirring. “And you’ve been very evasive about your trip. Was it that bad that you don’t want to talk about it?”

“Oh, Beth, no, that’s not it. It was actually quite fun having a fake girlfriend along.” She sighed. “Too much fun, actually.”

Beth looked at her sharply. “What does that mean?”

“I’m almost embarrassed to say, but her stipulation for going with me was…well, it was sex.” She laughed quietly. “Okay, I am embarrassed to say it.”

“Are you serious? And you went along with it?”

“Did I have a choice? She was my last resort.” She waved a hand in the air. “Anyway, the whole situation with Holly was actually bearable having Nic there.” She leaned against the counter, watching as Beth slowly stirred the marinara sauce. “All in all, it was a good Christmas. And they’re still getting married, and they still want me to be the maid of honor.”

“That’s just crazy. Are you going to do it?”

“I say no now, but my mother still has six months to talk me into it. And of course, I have to break up with Nic at some point.”

“Why? See if she’ll go along with you to the wedding.” She put the spoon down. “Did you really sleep with her? That’s so not you, Abby.”

“God, I know.” Then she smiled. “It was actually fun being with her. I kinda miss her.” Well, “kinda” was kinda an understatement, wasn’t it? Truth was, this had been the longest week of her life.

Beth eyed her. “Is she why you’re not interested in Kate?”

“I never said I wasn’t interested in her. I said we didn’t have anything in common.” She looked across the bar, watching as Kate laughed at something Jenna said. She really was attractive. Blond hair, greenish eyes. And a doctor, she reminded herself. Maybe she should make more of an effort. With a sigh, she pushed off the counter. “I guess I should go back out.”

“Take the wine bottle with you, please.”

Chapter Forty-two