Waiting for Willa (Big Sky, #3)(34)

“It never ends,” I agree with a nod.

“Jacob is working a lot of hours with it still being ski season, and having a service like that would be a lifesaver. So, when you’re up and running, let me know. I’ll keep you busy.”

“My first customer,” Nina says excitedly and reaches out to give Grace a high-five.

Grace misses, of course. She’s the most ungraceful person we know.

“Are you going to quit working for Christian?” I ask Nina.

“No, I’ll always work for him, but he’s fading out of the limelight more and more. He’s happy to make his movies, work the press, then go back to being private with Jenna. There aren’t any scandals to handle, and I think I’d like to branch out a bit. Besides, the girls coming from L.A. can totally run things if I’m not available.”

“Well, congratulations,” Jenna says, holding her glass out to Nina. “And thank the good Lord for no scandals.”

“You’re not kidding,” Nina says with a laugh. “Now, I need to catch up on Willa. What’s up with you and Max?”

“Wait.” Grace turns to me with wide eyes. “What the hell? Why haven’t I heard about this before?”

“Because you just had a baby and you’ve been a hermit,” I remind her.

“Well, shit,” she grumbles. “Start from the beginning and use all the dirty words.”

“I really like you,” Nina says to Grace, making her laugh.

I quickly recount the past few weeks, seeing more of Max, all the way through to the other day at his house when he told me that he was leaving.

“He didn’t say anything about leaving to me,” Jenna says with a frown. “What the hell got up his ass?”

“I don’t know.” I finish my drink, then flag down the server for another. “It was weird. Why are men so difficult? They always say we’re the confusing ones, but we’re easy.”

“All we need is chocolate, a nice bubble bath, and no bullshit,” Hannah says with a nod. “Not hard.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Have you heard from him since he left?” Grace asks.

“A couple of texts, but I’ve left him alone. If he has some shit to figure out, let him figure it out. I’m too old and too damn busy to chase after him.”

“Atta girl,” Jenna says.

“When does he come home?” Hannah asks.

“No idea.”

“Okay, that’s bullshit,” Nina says, shaking her head. “If you’re in a relationship with someone, you don’t pull that crap. It’s just inconsiderate.”

“The whole thing is weird,” I insist. “It’s like, one day, everything was normal and fine, and he couldn’t keep his hands off me. And then the next, he was distant and had to suddenly leave town for work.”

“He got scared,” Grace says simply, grabbing all of our attention. “Something spooked him, and he ran away.”

“But what? I told him he could talk to me.”

“Again, men are stubborn and ridiculous,” Jenna says. “Especially Max. He’ll talk about it when he’s ready, but don’t let him blow you off. You don’t deserve that.”

“Yeah.” My head is spinning from my third drink. It’s nice. “You’re right. He doesn’t get to ignore me. In fact, I’m gonna text him now.”

“Oh, Lord, no.” Hannah yanks my phone out of my hand. “No drunk texting. You’ll just be embarrassed in the morning.”

“She’s right,” Jenna says. “But call him tomorrow and tell him off. Do it when you’re with me, on speakerphone because I want to hear it.”

I giggle. “I wonder if very many people ever give him a piece of their mind?”

“Aside from Brad and me, probably not,” Jenna says and sips her margarita.

“Well, you can add my name to the list.” I hold out my hand for my phone. “I won’t call him drunk.”

Probably not.

He hurt my feelings and confused me, and I hate that. So, when Jenna suggested we come out tonight, I jumped at it.

“I love this song!” Hannah jumps up and grabs Jenna’s hand. “Come on, you guys.”

“I’ll stay here with Grace,” Nina says, shaking her head. “You go cut a rug.”

“Order another round of drinks.” I grin as I scoot out of the booth. “And maybe some food to soak them up.”

***

I’m not falling-down drunk.

I’m stumble-around-and-giggle drunk.

There’s a difference.

My house is quiet and empty. Mom and Ken took Alex and the puppy to their place for the night. Grace just dropped me off, and I’m not sleepy in the least.

I want to talk.

I want to fuck.

I giggle and shuffle out of my shoes, then pad into the kitchen and look for a snack.

I have Ruffles. Those sound amazing.

I crack open the bag and walk into the living room to plop onto the couch and dig in.

And then, with chips stuffed into my mouth, I dial Max’s number.

“Hey, Wills.”

“Mshhke”

“Uh, what’s that?”