If I Only Knew(53)

“I really don’t want to do this,” I sigh.

“Why, Danni?”

Why? Because Friendependence Day was Peter’s thing. Even though my friends were definitely not always nice to him, he loved it. I swear, as soon as New Year’s was over, he was talking about new ideas to set up the yard.

“You know why. You know why this stupid barbeque is hard for me.”

“Yes, but it’s all the more reason why you should still do it.”

“Should do what?” Milo asks at the door of my office.

I look to my friend to bail me out. It’s not like it’s a secret, but I can’t exactly explain my way out of it either.

“You know . . .” Nicole grins and gets to her feet. “You’re her assistant still, right?”

Milo’s eyes narrow a bit. “Yes?”

“Great. We hold a big barbeque each year where the whole gang comes, the kids, significant others and all that. Danielle hosts it, and this year, she’ll need some help.”

“Nicole!” I hiss her name through my teeth.

I want to throat punch her.

“What? He’s your assistant, he can assist so it’s not too much for you. You were just saying that you were super busy. I see a problem and I fix it.”

I look at Milo who is clearly confused. “You don’t have to do any of this because we’re not having it.”

“Why ever not?” he asks.

Great, now I have to explain it to him? I haven’t held back on mentioning Peter, but it’s not been long since we started dating. Our relationship is new and I’m trying to be sensitive to how I would feel if he was always bringing things back to his ex. Last weekend was an amazing first date—and I won the bet—but we’ve been slammed with work since then and we haven’t spent much time outside of the office.

Milo hasn’t said anything or even implied it’s an issue, but I happened to have mentioned my fear to Nicole the other day. Seems I’m going to pay for it now.

“Yes, why, Danni?” She smiles at me knowing I won’t say it.

“I just don’t think you should have to do things like this. It’s not a Dovetail event so . . .”

Milo sits beside Nicole. “Bollocks.”

“God, I love that word,” Nicole’s voice is wistful. “You say it even better than Callum. His accent is fading here and there since we’ve been in the states. Say fuck.”

Milo chuckles. “Fuck.”

“Oh.” She squirms. “Say knickers.”

“Knickers,” Milo repeats.

“Say, I’ll help Danielle with the party because I’m not a wanker.”

I groan. “I’m pissed at you. It’s bad enough you’re pretty, but then you have to be a pushy bitch and not listen to the people around you.”

She was blessed with big boobs, blue eyes, and blonde hair. Not to mention, she’s skinny, smart, funny, and has never needed anyone to take care of her. Pair all that with her personality and it’s no wonder it took a man like Callum to catch her attention.

“Milo will throw us a proper party.” Nicole winks. “I can speak British, too.”

He bursts out laughing.

At least someone finds her entertaining. “You laugh now, but I give you a week with her and you’ll find her as irritating as I do.”

“If Cal hasn’t grown tired of her by this point, I’m sure I wouldn’t.”

She smirks at me with her head tilted. “I totally picked the wrong brother.”

A pang of jealousy strikes me because if Nicole wanted him then I never would’ve gotten him.

And then a new wave of emotions flood. When did I start thinking of him as mine? Why does the idea of Nicole and Milo make me want to rip out her eyes? She’s my friend. She never would do anything, but I’m sitting here, balling my hands into fists.

“Sorry, love.” Milo looks at me and then Nicole. “I prefer brunettes. One in particular.”

I look down at the papers on my desk, trying to hide my face. He can be so sweet sometimes.

“Awww,” she claps her hands together. “You guys are so cute. Okay, about the barbeque . . .”

Sure enough, after five minutes, Nicole got her way and I’m hosting this stupid party with Milo coordinating it. Does everyone around me enjoy tormenting me? I’m sure the answer is yes. I can’t wait for Ava, Milo, and Nicole to be together . . . said me never.





“Explain to me your friends’ . . . whatever-you-call-it party?” Milo asks as we sit on my couch.

His arm is draped across the back, allowing his fingers to graze my arm. “It’s something we started when I moved into this house. We get together, eat, drink . . . it’s not a big deal.”

“Then why the fuss about doing it?”

“It’s . . . complicated.”

“Because of your husband?”

My eyes meet his and fill with regret. “Yes. A little.”

Milo scratches his cheek, seeming to ponder something. “Did you not want to tell me that?”

“I’m trying not to talk about him. I know we’re in this new relationship and . . . he’s gone.”

Milo moves closer. “He was your life. You have children together, and whether I like the fact that another man existed before me, is irrelevant. I’m not jealous of Peter.”