She could hear Kira’s voice, tinny and a bit staticky. “Hey, bud! I’m good. I called because we haven’t talked for a couple of days. Whatcha’ up to? Are you and Connor still on for beers tomorrow night?”
Grace buttoned and zipped her pants before reaching for the door.
“Kira, one second.” Gideon put his hand over the phone. “Grace, I’m sorry. Give me a minute and -”
“No,” she said. “I have to go.”
She opened the door and peered into the hallway. It was empty and she slipped out of the bathroom, shaking Gideon’s hand off her arm and shutting the door behind her.
She could hear the others still talking in the kitchen and she crept down the hallway and out the front door, shutting it softly behind her.
Chapter Eleven
“Grace, are you sure you’re okay?” Kira stared worriedly at her. “You’re acting really weird.”
“I’m fine,” Grace said. I’m a little tired.”
“Is your insomnia starting up again?” Addison said.
“I didn’t sleep much last night, but I’m not sure if it was insomnia or just a bad night of sleep. You know?” Grace said.
Addie’s fingers continued to weave the bright coloured threads. “Man, I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t sleep. I’ve had a few nights of lost sleep over the wedding planning and I was a blubbering whining wreck.”
Kira sank onto the couch next to Grace. “Are you sure it’s just that? You seem off. I’m worried about you. You haven’t been your usual… smartassy self lately.”
“Smartassy?” Grace laughed and patted Kira’s leg. “There’s nothing wrong. I had a busy day at work yesterday and then I had the fundraiser meeting at Wanda’s, so it was a really long day.”
“Oh yeah, Gideon’s helping out with that too,” Kira said. “He mentioned it when he picked up Connor earlier.”
“What are they doing tonight?” Addison frowned at her tangled threads and carefully picked them apart.
“Just going for beers. Boy, you’re really into this friendship bracelet thing, huh?” Kira studied the four colourful bracelets that were wrapped around Addie’s wrist before touching the two on her own. “Not that I’m complaining. They’re super cute and I love mine.”
Addison shrugged. “I like making them. I needed something to keep my hands busy while I’m worrying over wedding details and I’m kind of over knitting right now.”
“Seriously?” Grace studied the two bracelets around her own wrist. “You’re finished with knitting? You’ve been knitting since you were a kid, Addie.”
“I’m not finished with it,” Addison said. “Just taking a break from it.”
“Is Harrison still working late a lot?”
Addison paused her weaving. The green and blue bracelet was almost complete, and she poked absently at the small safety pin she’d used to pin the bracelet to the arm of the couch. “Yeah. I’m actually starting to get a little worried about him.”
“What do you mean?” Kira said.
“He works late almost every night and spends all day Saturday at the office. He’s distant, and when I try to talk to him about how much he’s working, he gets really defensive. He says that he’s working so much because of how expensive the wedding is.”
She started weaving again, tears shining in her eyes. “I feel really bad, you guys. It’s my fault the wedding is so expensive. I mean, my parents are contributing where they can, but it’s still a lot falling on our shoulders, and -”
“Addie,” Grace reached out and squeezed her shoulder, “your wedding is not expensive. You have a budget of six grand. That’s not an expensive wedding, especially considering your fiancé is a lawyer and makes a damn good wage.”
“Harrison thinks it is.”
“He’s wrong,” Grace said flatly. “And he shouldn’t be trying to blame you for working so much overtime.”
“He’s not, he just… he’s really busy and stressed out right now. I can’t even remember the last time we had sex,” Addison said. “It’s been well over a month. That’s not normal.”
“It is a stressful time for you right now,” Kira said. “It’s not surprising you’re not into it.”
“It’s not me. It’s him,” Addison said. “He’s always so tired or he just straight up says he’s not in the mood.”
She finished the bracelet and tied the threads into a sturdy knot before using small scissors to trim the ends. “I’m going to do a sexy surprise thing for him tomorrow night. He has to work late, he already told me, but I picked up some massage oil and a pretty chemise. I’ll be waiting for him in his bedroom when he gets home.”
“That sounds awesome,” Kira said.
Addison smiled but Grace could see the worry in her eyes. “I thought so too. What guy will turn down a massage, right? Once he’s relaxed, I’ll…” Addie blushed, “you know.”
“No,” Grace teased gently. “Tell us exactly what you’re gonna do to your fiancé tomorrow night, you sexy little tart.”
Kira laughed as Addison turned bright red. “You’re adorable when you get embarrassed about sex.”
“I’m not embarrassed, but… Harrison doesn’t like the idea that I gossip with you guys about our sex life.”
“Seriously?” Grace rolled her eyes. “You barely say anything about sex with Harrison. Just that it’s great and you have no complaints. That’s not gossiping.”
Addison shrugged. “Still, I need to respect his wishes and -”
“Kira? Honey, I’m back.” The front door slammed shut, and a smile crossed Kira’s face.
“I’m in the living room.”
“Hey.” Connor walked into the room. Holding his cast against his chest, he leaned over and kissed Kira. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. You weren’t gone as long as I thought you’d be.” She smiled up at him and Grace’s bad mood lifted a little. Kira was blissfully happy, and she deserved it. After everything she’d been through, she deserved to be happy.
“Hey guys, what are you doing here?” Kira said.
Grace’s body tensed, her stomach twisting in on itself when she saw Gideon. He dropped into the armchair, studiously avoiding looking at her, as Preacher stepped into the living room. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He nodded to Grace before his gaze flickered to Addison.
Grace glanced at Addie. Her face was flushed, and she pulled at the bracelet that was still pinned to the couch before grabbing the small bag at her feet and stuffing the loose thread and scissors into it.
“The Thirsty Beaver was packed,” Connor said. “There was some private work function thing going on and they’d closed off half the pub for it. I told Gideon and Preacher we should come back here and have some beers in the quiet of our backyard. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were having Grace and Addison over though.”