Page 117 of Fighting Chance

Allie leaves as quickly as she arrived, muttering something about an egg race outside with the other kids. I have to be honest, I thought I knew all the players but I was wrong. There’s twenty-three men in total, and some of them even have kids.

Turning back to Bella, I try to switch topics. “It was sweet of Grayson to come up with the family Sunday idea. Gives Emmy a chance to socialize with no pressure.”

Bella smiles as she looks out the kitchen window, and I can tell the moment she finds Grayson, her face melting with love and awe. “He’s a sweetheart.” Her joy suddenly clouds over. “It’s days like this where I really miss my mom, though.” She sniffles, waving her hand in the air. “Ugh, sorry, I’m ruining the mood.”

“Never,” I say quickly. “It’s understandable, B. We all miss her.”

My heart clenches at the memory of Trisha, the woman that was like my second mom.

“I bet it’s even harder when Grayson’s parents stay in town,” Cindy whispers, and I have to admit, I didn’t even think about how it would make Bella feel. Guilt thunders through me, I should have reached out sooner to see how she was doing.

Sniffling, Bella nods. “I can’t tell them not to stay here, but it’s just…it’sreallyhard sometimes to see him getting love from his mom.” She gives us a wobbly smile. “Allie is amazing, though. She pours all that love toward me too and I adore it but?—”

“You wish it was your mom?” I whisper.

Tears fill her eyes before she blinks furiously and puts on a tough exterior. “Anyway! Enough about me. Besides Kieran being absolutely smitten and planning the perfect date for you, how was it?”

Cindy gives me a sad smile behind Bella’s back before giving her shoulder a squeeze and topping up her wineglass. I, however, try to ignore my body betraying me with my flaming cheeks and act nonchalant instead. “It was fun.”

The wine bottle in Cindy’s hand freezes midair, the girls exchanging a knowing look before Cindy smacks the bottle down and squeals. I’m surprised it doesn’t smash.

“We need all the details!”

My nose wrinkles. “Details of what?”

“Oh, come on!” Cindy whines. “Something happened. Look at your cheeks.”

Screw my damn genetics.

Bella’s head rears back. “Oh my god, she’s right. Did something happen between you two?”

My lips part, my mouth opening and closing, and I feel incredibly stupid. Why can’t I be a fabulous liar?

Cindy steps forward and clutches my arm. “That man moves fast. Was it good?”

Bella whacks her shoulder. “She didn’t sleep with him in a bookstore!” Her eyes cut to me. “You didn’t, right?”

“You two aren’t going to drop this, are you?”

“Nope,” they say in unison.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “This is very invasive.”

Bella clicks her tongue. “I do believe you sent me a million texts asking for details about Grayson, and one of them told me to climb him like a tree.”

Cindy snorts as I wince. “I did do that, didn’t I?”

“Oh yeah, baby. Spill the tea.”

I check to make sure everyone’s still outside before blurting, “We didn’t sleep together, okay?”

“Why not?” Cindy asks.

Bella whacks her shoulder again. “Rude, Cin.”

“I recant my statement.” She cocks her hip. “Whatdidyou do, though?”

My heart starts beating wildly. “We, ah… Kieran put his…”