Daughters Of The Bride(103)
Maggie pushed the boxes to the far end of the island. “So how is everyone doing? I feel like we’re all so busy these days. Rachel, honey, you’re looking so good.”
“Thanks.” Rachel raised her margarita. “Tonight I sin, but in the morning, I will walk.” She shrugged. “I’m taking care of myself and it’s really helping me feel better.”
“How’s Greg?”
Rachel stiffened. “Why would you ask me that?”
Maggie shrugged. “I don’t know. I think about him. You two were so good together. I’m sorry he was an idiot.”
“Me, too,” Rachel admitted. “At least we’re getting along and he’s being such a good dad to Josh.”
Courtney studied her sister. The words were all correct, but there was something in Rachel’s tone. Nothing bad. Was it wistfulness? She’d said that Greg was around more, helping and hanging out with his son. Was there more going on?
“Any sparks?” Sienna asked, cutting right to the chase.
“What?” Rachel looked away. “Of course not. We’re divorced. Sure, we can be friends, but that’s all. I’m sure he’s dating a million other people.”
“I haven’t seen him with anyone,” Sienna said.
“Me, either.” Maggie sipped her drink. “I won’t push. You had every right to throw him out. It’s just...well, enough about that. Sienna, how’s David?”
“Good. Fine. We’re putting off planning our wedding until after yours, but I’m paying attention so I can steal all the best ideas.”
Courtney wasn’t sure that happy statement could have sounded more wooden. “What’s up?” she asked.
“Nothing.” Sienna beamed. “I’m happily engaged.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “No one believes that. You want to talk about it?”
Sienna drained her glass. “What I would love is a refill.” She walked to the blender and poured. “Courtney, your turn. How’s your love life?”
“I don’t have one.”
Everyone laughed. “Of course you do,” her mother said. “You’re seeing Quinn.”
“Sure, but it’s just fun.” And hot and amazing, she thought, glancing at the henna on the backs of her hands. “He’s not the settling-down kind. I mean, look at him. He’s dated all kinds of famous women. Actresses and models. He wouldn’t be interested in me.”
“Of course he would,” Rachel told her. “He’d be lucky to have you.”
“Thanks, but let’s be real.” She reached for a chip. “However this ends, he’s been so great to me. He’s helped with a lot of things.” Like her worrying about being too tall, and he’d been there after Joyce had outed her about her education. “I like him. He’s been an amazing summer fling. When it ends, and it will, I’ll be crushed, but I’ll move on.”
“I’d really like to see you married,” Maggie said, then frowned. “All of you. Dear God, I just realized, you’re all single.”
“I’m engaged,” Sienna said, waving her left hand. “Look. I have a ring and everything.”
“Yes, but none of you are married. I’m a horrible mother.”
Now Courtney was the one to roll her eyes. “Mom, shocking, but true—not everything is about you.”
Maggie laughed. “You’re right, but it should be. Don’t you agree? Now, who wants dinner?”
Josh bolted from the kitchen for his Tuesday night video game session. One of the new rules for summer was limiting his computer playtime to three nights a week. Greg stared after him.
“Are those skid marks on the floor?” he asked with a laugh.
“Absolutely. I always plan to entertain myself on video game nights.”
He turned back to the dishwasher and loaded the last of the dishes. When Greg had brought Josh home from camp, they’d stopped for takeout, and somehow her ex had ended up staying for dinner. With Josh at the table, she hadn’t worried about feeling awkward, but now they were alone and she had no idea what to say.
“How’s your arm?” she asked, then wondered if she shouldn’t have. Maybe it was better to ignore what had happened before.
“Nearly healed. The stitches are dissolving, so I just have to keep it dry a few more days and I’ll be good as new.”
She wiped down the counter. “Good. And that other guy, Tommy? How’s he doing?”
“He’ll be back to work tomorrow.”
She rinsed off her hands and dried them. Okay, time to get Greg to leave. Only, she wasn’t sure how without being rude. Before she could figure something out, he’d crossed to the Keurig and turned it on.