Husband Stay (Husband #2) by Louise Cusack Read Free Book Online Page B

satisfied.”
    “Regularly?” Her
voice was gentle, as if she was scared her question would spook me.
    “Yes.” All the
time. “But I didn’t miss out. I mean, I know how to…”
    “I’m guessing you
didn’t do that in front of him.”
    Despite the
alcohol haze I could feel my cheeks heating up. “ No. ”
    “So you waited
until you were alone.”
    “Yes.” I lurched
to my feet. “And that’s all I can talk about now. I need to sleep.”
    She stood with me.
“Sure honey.” And I was surprised by how easily she let me off the hook. But I
was grateful when she took me to the guest room she’d made up with fresh sheets
and towels.
    I had my own
bathroom, which was great, and when I said, “I didn’t sleep last night,” she tisked in a motherly fashion and insisted on helping me get into pajamas, even though
it was two in the afternoon. Then she put my toiletries out for me while I went
off and peed, and when I came back into the bathroom she handed me a loaded
toothbrush.
    “Have a nap,” she
instructed. “But don’t worry if you sleep through dinner. I’ll put leftovers in
the fridge for you. Grab them anytime. Finn and I are at the other end of the
bungalow, so we won’t hear you.”
    I spat toothpaste into
the sink. “You’re a good friend, Jill.” Unfortunately, I was sliding toward
melancholy. I really needed to be unconscious.
    She shook her head.
“I wasn’t around when you found out about Danny’s vasectomy. I should have
been.”
    I opened my mouth
to argue that I hadn’t told anyone, but she cut over me.
    “I’m not letting
you cope with this alone.” She grabbed both my shoulders and I smiled a foamy toothpaste
smile at her. “Between the two of us we’ll work this out, okay?”
    I nodded.
    “I know I usually
solve problems by jumping off the cliff and working out what to do on the way
down.” She frowned. “So if it was me I’d jump into bed with Jack and see where
it led. That isn’t going to suit you. I get that. But there will be other
options.”
    I nodded at her
mid-afternoon wisdom, far too sleepy to have any response of my own.
    So I rinsed and
spat while Jill said, “Have a siesta and try to relax. Tomorrow we’ll be with
Fritha, and you know how exhausting she is. I can’t imagine how hyped up she’ll
be at the launch. She’s waited a million years to run a teashop.”
    I wiped my mouth
on my towel and said, “Okay. And let’s not rehash this? It is what it is.
Unless you can think of something brilliant, let’s not belabor it?”
    She nodded, then
led me to the lovely soft guest bed with its crisp white sheets and
feather-light quilt. When she’d tucked me in and kissed my cheek I closed my
eyes, not even noticing the sound of the door as she left. My brain was locked
onto the soothing whoosh of the Pacific Ocean breaking onto the sand right
outside the bungalow. My arm was starting to ache but I wasn’t taking
painkillers on top of alcohol, so I drifted into slumber instead.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    “Oh my god, is that
Noah Steele?” I stood blinking as the hunky Hollywood star elbowed his way good
naturedly through Bohemian Brew’s crowd of opening night attendees on
his way to the bar, which on Monday would be returned to a cake counter.
    I’ll be singing
in front of Noah Steele!
    Jill shrugged
nonchalantly, but I could see the smirk she was trying to hide. “Finn consults
for one of his companies, so he sent him an invitation. Noah’s got a cattle
property around here, but I didn’t think he’d come.”
    I gazed adoringly
at the actor’s broad back until he was lost in the crowd. I’d never sung in
front of a celebrity before. Around us, the other attendees wore suits and
cocktail frocks, looking out of place amid the Moroccan décor in shades of pink
and salmon and olive with plush cushioned booths.
    Middle Eastern
rugs and wall hangings in colors of jewels and spices complimented the dark
wooden furniture and elegant wall sconces. Jill must