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They re good for you. Come on, eat your peas.
I don t want to, she whined, and we turned to watch her push her plate back. They re little
fuckers.
The room stilled, my mother s gasp the only sound.
The laughter built up inside me and promptly exploded as Cole gave a bark of laughter. I collapsed
against him, my face in his shoulder, and laughed until my belly hurt.
I could hear everyone s laughter, and looked across the table at Joss to see that she was the only one
mortified.
Wiping tears from my eyes, I asked, How? hoping she understood the question.
I said it once, she lamented. Now she won t stop saying it.
Mummy? Beth asked, confused by our reaction.
I still don t understand. Mum pinched her mouth together in affront.
Joss sighed. I dropped a jar of peas and I thought I got em all, but I found some renegades later on
and forgot Beth was there when I did.
Little fuckers, Beth said promptly, obviously remembering the moment when Joss encountered the
renegade peas.
That set us off again.
I had tears streaming down my cheeks.
Baby, I told you, you can t say that word, Joss told her softly, ignoring the rest of us. It s not a nice
word and Mommy was wrong to use it.
Beth gave Joss a hilariously sly look that suggested she was intrigued rather than cautioned.
We were off again, Braden s laughter louder than anyone s. Christ, next she ll be repeating it in
school. He rubbed his eyes, his expression smoothing out from hilarity. If she does, I m leaving you
to explain it.
What happened to being in this together? Joss grumbled.
She gets it from you, so you re best equipped to deal with it.
The look Joss cut him was not one of amusement.
She s definitely your daughter, I said, picking my fork back up.
Jocelyn s? Braden asked as Joss asked, Braden s?
Exactly.
CHAPTER 6
T
he next week flew in with work and volunteering, the gym and my book club. By the time Saturday
rolled around I was looking forward to taking some time off, spending the night with Cole surrounded
by people we didn t know, cracking jokes and making up life stories for the strangers we d be sharing
a reception hall with.
When I got into the cab he d hired to drive us to the reception just outside the city center, my eyes
roved over Cole in approval. He d gone conservative for me this evening, wearing a three-piece suit
that covered most of his tattoos. He gave a nod to his own personal taste with the chain that dangled
from the front of his waistband, looping down and up to the back of it.
You look great, I said with a grin.
You look stunning, he murmured, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
I was wearing a black dress, molded to my figure, and bright blue pumps with platform heels. Was
Stephanie okay about you escorting me tonight?
Cole quirked an eyebrow at the mention of his girlfriend, appearing annoyed. Nope.
I winced. Sorry.
Don t be. She s been acting crazy jealous lately. Not just about you, but girls at uni, even clients at
the studio. I don t think it s going to work out.
Cole, I m really sorry. I cuddled into his side as the cab drove out of town. Wouldn t it be so
much easier if we were attracted to each other?
So much easier, he agreed. But alas, you are immune to my charms.
As you are to mine. I sighed dramatically.
Cole chuckled and put his arm around me. One day you ll meet someone you can stand to commit to,
and I ll meet someone who isn t batshit crazy.
Oh, you dreamer you.
The wedding reception was in full swing when we got there. Someone I didn t know directed me to
the table where all the wedding presents were and I put my gift there before tagging Cole by the hand
and leading him into the main hall. Tables and chairs had been pushed to the edges of the room and
the lights had been dimmed. Guests danced on the floor to the DJ s playlist, while others mingled at
the tables and at the bar at the far end of the room. I spotted the bride easily and we made our way
over to her.
Oh, my gosh! Nish cried out happily upon seeing me. You look amazing.
I laughed. I say that to you. And you do. You look beautiful. I gestured to Cole. This is Cole.
The famous Cole. Nish hugged him, sharing her joy. Cole patted her back awkwardly and politely
tried to disengage. Oh, my word. She grinned into his face. You are even more gorgeous in real
life. She frowned at me. What is wrong with you? Just friends. Pfft. Anyhoo she flung herself
around Andrew!
A good-looking bloke in a kilt turned at her yell and grinned, swaggering over to us.
Nish grabbed his arm and yanked him close. Hannah, this is my husband, Andrew.
After the introductions, we left the happy couple to their mingling and Cole and I made our way over
to the bar. I passed the table with my colleagues and waved at them.
Do you want to go over? Cole asked, following my gaze.
Nah. Let s just hang out. Mock people. Mock love, I joked.
I m starting with you, Miss Cynical.
I rolled my eyes as he ordered our drinks. As soon as we had them I moved us over to an almost
empty table. I d forgotten how awkward it could be to be in a room with a bunch of strangers who
knew one another but didn t know you. We ll leave soon, I promised.
Cole shrugged. It doesn t bother me. Nish seems nice.
She s a kook. I shook my head, watching her drag Barbara onto the dance floor. I sank a little lower
in my seat, hoping she wouldn t demand the same of me.
We sat there a while, just laughing and joking and catching up on each other s lives. Some time had
passed when I began to feel a burn on the left side of my face. Skin tingling, I turned my head to look
across the room. My eyes moved over the guests, not recognizing anyone. Don t know him, don t
know her, don t know her, don t know him, Marco, don t know hi
My eyes dragged back, my heart suddenly in my throat as my gaze connected with Marco s.
I felt as if someone had just swung a bat at my chest.
I couldn t breathe.
It was Marco.
He was older, more filled out, if that was even possible, but I d know that face anywhere. It was hard
to mistake.
Hannah? Cole s concerned voice tugged at me and I glanced back at him in shock.
Are you okay?
I m f-fine, I stammered, slowly rising to my feet. I m just& I need to nip to the ladies . I ll be
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