“My brother is dating my ex. Dating, living together, whatever,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Two years ago, I brought Holly with me at Christmas. My parents live in Red River. That’s where we spend the holidays. Holly met my brother, slept with him, broke up with me on New Year’s Eve. Then last year, they came together as a couple. She flirted with me until I broke. So I slept with her.” She held her hand up. “Yes, that was foolish on my part, I admit, and I’m certainly not proud of that. Now, this year, I have it on good authority that they are going to announce their wedding plans. Early summer. Since I introduced them, I get to be the freakin’ maid of honor.” She paused. “Did I mention they live here in the Metroplex and I no longer speak to my brother?”

Nic’s lips twitched in a smile. “Wow. All of that? For real? I mean, if you want to ask me out, just ask. You don’t need all of this.”

“You think I’m making this shit up?”

Nic leaned back in her chair, a smile still on her face. “Okay. So you need a girlfriend…why?”

“Well, a couple of reasons. One, so that she won’t flirt with me and try to get me into bed again. And two, so I’m not the pathetic jaded lover, daughter, and sister who everyone feels sorry for. And maybe three, so that everyone doesn’t walk on eggshells every time Holly and I are in a room together.”

“Why did you sleep with her?”

“Because I’m an idiot. And I had too much wine. And I’d not really dated anyone since we broke up, so…”

“So, sex with your ex sounded like fun?”

“At the time, yes,” she said through gritted teeth. Why, oh why had she listened to Sharon?

Nic scratched her neck absently. “Okay, let me just talk this out so I can wrap my head around it. You brought your girlfriend with you for a family Christmas thing. She and your brother had sex. I’m assuming you didn’t know.”

“Of course I didn’t know!”

“And you were also having sex with her? Ew, that’s gross.”

Abby sighed.

“Okay, so she breaks up with you and is now dating your brother. But last year, even though she’s with your brother—having sex—you sleep with her too. Again, gross.”

“Must you?”

“And now they’re getting married, and you still think she’ll try to sleep with you?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t she?”

“Why would she?”

Abby narrowed her eyes. “What are you saying? That I’m not good enough?”

Nic held her hand up. “I meant no such thing. I meant, if she’s planning on marrying your brother, why is she still trying to get into your bed?”