"You got into a fight about taxes?" Peyton repeats.

Next to her in our booth, Charity studies me with concern across her face. After hibernating for the better part of the past week, I'm being given the third degree in the middle of an Italian restaurant. The minute I walked up to our table, they both knew something was wrong, and pounced on me accordingly.

"Yup. A big one." Averting my gaze, I reach for the basket of freshly-baked bread, taking my third slice and lavishing it with Allego's signature garlic-herb butter. Who needs coping skills when you have eight-ounce glasses of Pinot Noir and enough carbohydrates to put yourself into a coma?

Peyton grabs a slice of bread from the half-empty basket, studying me in confusion. "Why? How did that even come up?"

Good question. How did things with Dean careen downhill so fast? Why did we end up fighting over finances, of all things? It's not like we even live together or share bank accounts. Based on what Dean said the other night, I doubt we ever will. He probably thinks I'm not trustworthy enough.

Maybe he's right.

Charity leans closer, forehead crinkled. "Yeah, what happened?"

Normally, I'd have texted Peyton and Charity immediately following our big blow-out, but this time, I wanted to process things on my own for awhile first. Maybe because I wasn't sure where Dean and I stood after the way we left things. Hell, I'm still not sure—and now I have to see him tonight for Brendan and Vidya's joint bachelor and bachelorette party.

"His stupid ego happened." A whirlwind of embarrassment swirls deep in my gut, the same as it did when Dean and I were having our argument the first time around.

They both wait for me to continue, and I swallow another generous gulp of wine before launching into a recap, starting with the stack of letters from the IRS, his line of questioning, and our not-exactly-amicable goodbye. The more I talk, the more uncomfortable I get, until I'm practically crawling out of my own skin. As a rule, I hate talking about money. I would rather get a pap smear. Literally.

When I finish the story, they're both quiet for a beat. Finally, Peyton winces. "I don't know, it sounds like he was trying to help."

There's another pang in my gut, something I can't quite place. Wistfulness, maybe, or guilt.

"Was he? Because it felt a lot more like he was judging."

The server appears, setting down our plates of food. I grab my fork and prepare to face-plant into my pasta. With her broiled salmon and brown rice, Charity is the only one of us even trying to be health-conscious. Peyton's penne alla vodka could feed a family of four, and my spaghetti carbonara is merely a vehicle for obscene amounts of heavy cream and bacon.

"Is it possible be you took it the wrong way because it's a touchy subject for you?" Charity offers meekly, half-hiding behind her glass of ice water as she takes a sip.

If I'm being completely honest, it is probably a bit of both. While I still think Dean's approach sucked, it's possible I overreacted. Still, I'm not admitting that out loud, even to my best friends. I give a noncommittal shrug in response instead, but Charity's expression tells me she knows the truth. She's like a human lie detector.

"Have you talked Dean since?" Peyton stabs at her penne alla vodka, glancing back up at me. I'm somewhat surprised Jason hasn't given her the scoop already. Then again, Dean probably isn't broadcasting what happened between us either. I doubt he wants to explain that to Brendan.

"He's texted, but I told him I wanted some space to think. Plus, I've been busy with training at the studio." Between Jason teaching me how to run daily and weekly reports, as well as doing the required coursework, I've been working the equivalent of fill-time hours, which has been a welcome distraction.

In retrospect, I probably should have agreed to see Dean before tonight so we could talk about things before we were stuck in a room with twenty other people celebrating my brother's impending nuptials. But I was hibernating while I nursed my hurt feelings, so here I am—about to have one of the most awkward nights of my life.

"Enough about me." I steal the last piece of bread, knowing I'll regret it later. "How are things with Jay?"

"Yeah, Peyton. How are they?" Charity smirks.

Clearly, I've missed something while I was moping around at home the last few days.

Peyton's cheeks flood with color. "They're good."

"Tell her," Charity prompts, spearing a piece of her salmon.

"Well, the other night, we were having sex and he made me..." Peyton stops and draws in a breath.

"...squirt," Charity finishes gleefully.

I set down my fork. "Wait, is that actually a thing?" I thought it was something you read about in Cosmo.

Peyton fans herself. "Holy shit, is it ever. At first, I was a little freaked out, even though the orgasm was fucking mind blowing. But Jay was good about it." She huffs a laugh, rolling her eyes. "Actually, I think he got an ego boost from it."

"I'm sure most guys would," I murmur.

It's another unwelcome reminder that it's been over a week since I've had sex. Objectively not a long time, but now that I've had Dean, I'm going through withdrawals. I even had a raging orgasm in my sleep the other night while dreaming about him. Clearly, parts of my body don't care how pissed off I am. Which is one more reason I've been avoiding him—I know I'm liable to fall fight back into bed with him instead of resolving things using our words.

Plus, there's the whole part where he told his brother he never wanted me to meet his parents.

"He asked me to go away with him next month," Peyton says. "Just for a weekend trip to Napa or something."

"That's awesome. You said yes, right?" I ask.

"I did, but I'm a little freaked out. Everything is going too well, you know? I keep feeling like the shoe is going to drop." Her mouth tugs into a small frown.

I know exactly what she means, because I felt that way, too. And then it did.

*

Dinner flies by, and before I know it, we're

crossing the street and approaching the oversized wooden doors to On Tap.

I'm stuffed full of pasta, full of nerves, and a little drunk.

As Charity yanks open the door, a sudden realization hits me and I come to a screeching halt on the sidewalk. Unzipping my purse, I confirm my suspicions. That's why it feels so light: my phone isn't in it.

"Shit, I forgot my phone in your car. Can I have your keys, Char? I'll run back to get it."

Charity turns, eyeing me dubiously. "Did you actually forget it, or are you trying to stall so you don't have to come inside?"

"I actually forgot it. I think it's in the cupholder." Though, that would have been a good plan to buy myself some time before I have to face Dean.

She tosses me the keys, which I barely catch. Two minutes later, I have my phone in hand and I'm standing in the entry to the bar I linger next to the empty hostess stand, trying to talk myself into joining the party set up in the corner at the back. Not like I have a choice. I can't exactly bail on Brendan and Vidya.

"Brooke?" A male voice pipes up behind me. Much to my dismay, it doesn't belong to Dean. It belongs to someone else—someone I don't want to see, least of all right now.

I whirl around and my stomach plummets when spot Travis and Jade, standing hand in hand. Neither of them knows this is Dean's bar or had any way to know I would be here tonight, which means, this is purely a coincidence. A terrible coincidence.

Of course this would happen to me. Here. Right now.

Sucking in a breath, I try to process what I'm seeing. It takes a second for me to fully take in the situation.

Travis in a faded band t-shirt and torn jeans, but the effect is more sloppy college kid than trendy. Jade is wearing a scandalously short white dress that looks vaguely familiar. Knowing her, it's another design she completely ripped off.

They're both tanned, probably from their traveling together, and Jade's hair is dyed a trendy lavender shade that is somehow incredibly flattering on her. I would look like a troll if I tried to pull it off. It's annoying how attractive she is when she's such a vile person inside.

Jade flashes me a bright smile that's more than a little fake. "Hey, Brooke. What a weird coincidence. What are you doing here?"

"Brendan's bachelor party," I force out. There are a million things I want to say, a million things I've rehearsed in my head, but nothing is coming to mind. I'm woefully empty-handed.

"Well, you look great. It's so good to see you. You know, I wanted to reach out. I'm sure we can put all of that stuff from before behind us," she says. "No hard feelings, right?"

"There you are." Another, deeper male voice interrupts us. Dean.

While Travis looks like he rolled out of bed, Dean looks like he walked out of a magazine. We all watch him as he strides up, stepping around the hostess station. He wraps his arms around me, completely ignoring the other two people standing in front of us.

My heart flutters as he leans in, planting a kiss on my lips. It catches me by surprise at first but I soften against him instinctively. His tongue slides into my mouth, melting the last of my resolve to stay mad at him. Then his cologne hits me, and I know I'm a goner.

After another beat, Dean pulls back and runs his thumb along my cheek, still disregarding Travis and Jade's presence. His eyes are dark, full of concern mixed with something I want to call longing, but that could be projecting my own feelings onto him. "I missed you."

I'm not sure whether he means it or if it's just for show, but in the moment, it's everything I need to hear.

"I was on my way in," I tell him. "I just got held up."

His mouth tugs into a small frown, eyes fixed on me. Seeing him again feels like coming up for air after I'd been drowning.

Next to us, Travis loudly clears his throat, drawing our attention. Funny that he thinks we're the ones being rude when he's standing there with my former best friend. Dick.

"Dean, I'm sure you remember Travis." I gesture to him awkwardly. We're in public, I'm more than a little tipsy, and I don't know what else to do besides feign civility.

"Not really." Dean fixes him with a disinterested look.

"And this is, uh, Jade." I point to her. She flashes us a simpering smile that I know is solely intended for him, and is definitely meant to be flirtatious. My grip on Dean's hand tightens even though logically, I know he's got zero interest in her.

"Right." Dean nods curtly, turning his attention back to me. Travis appears vaguely confused, while Jade looks straight-up offended, and it's hard not to laugh. "Anyway, we should go. Vidya wants to give a speech."

The blonde hostess reappears. "Dean, do you need me to seat your friends?"

His gaze slides over to her. "That won't be necessary, Alicia. We're full."

She looks at him with confusion that mirrors my own, then at the array of tables, which are three-quarters of the way full. "But—"

"Special event tonight, we're at capacity." He nods to the two of them. "You'll have to find somewhere else. Lots of other bars in the area."

He begins to steer me away while Jade and Travis stare at us. My brain is still processing, trying to catch up, and I'm at a total loss for words.

"Are you okay?" Dean mutters beneath his breath, pulling me tighter against him as we navigate around tables filled with patrons. "Why were you talking to them, anyway?"

The slightest hint of shame hits me. I'd imagined this scenario a thousand times, and in every single one of them, I had given them a piece of my mind complete with scathing remarks about their deepest insecurities.

Instead, when it came down to it, I just stood there.

"They caught me off guard. I was nervous about seeing you and I wasn't expecting to see them."

"Is that Jade?"

"Yeah." I still feel a little winded, both from seeing them and from our kiss.

He snorts. "You're so far out of her league, it isn't even funny."

We slow to a stop on the periphery of the area roped off for Brendan and Vidya. On the other side of the room, Peyton gives me a little wave from where she's standing with Jay.

"Brooke..." Dean starts.

Before we can discuss anything, Brendan strolls up and wraps us in a group hug. This tells me he's been drinking, but hopefully not as much as he was on the night of his birthday.

This also tells me he has no idea what happened between me and Dean. It's just as well. Brendan would try to play neutral like Switzerland, and it would only stress him out. We're both adults, and we can solve our problems... I think.

He releases us, holding us at arms' length. "Gotta admit, I'm still getting used to seeing you together. Come on, Vidya wants to say thank you."

Dean ushers me to stand with the rest of the group, who are gathered around Vidya. Her hair is down in long, glossy raven waves and she looks well-rested, happier and healthier than I've seen her since the accident. Brendan said she was doing better, but this is the first time she's appeared back to her old self.

"I won't make this long," Vidya says. "I just wanted to thank all of you for coming tonight to celebrate with us. And I especially wanted to thank Brooke and Dean for coming together to help plan everything when Brendan and I needed it the most." She pauses, and a few people clap. Sawyer wolf-whistles, which says he wins the prize for drunkest so far. He always gets rowdy when he's had a few drinks.

She holds up her drink, which looks like vodka soda or plain water. "We also have some news, which is why I'm not drinking like some of you have already noticed. One of our wedding gifts arrived a little early, and I'm pregnant."

Wait, what? Vidya is pregnant?

"Oh my god," I whisper, happy tears pricking at my eyes. I'm going to be an aunt.

Dean squeezes my hand, lowering his mouth to my ear. "Come on, tell the truth. Did you know?"

I glance up at him. "No, did you?"

"Nope." He shakes his head. "Good for them, though. Brendan was born to be a dad."

He really was.

Vidya wraps up, and everyone disperses around the room. I want to go congratulate her, but she's immediately swarmed by all of their other guests. Instead, I go up to Brendan and give him another hug, followed by a playful punch on the bicep.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me first. I'm your sister, I should get the scoop before everyone else."

My brother cocks a blond brow. "Not sure you're one to talk."

"Fair point."

"But honestly, Vidya wanted to wait until her doctor's appointment and ultrasound yesterday. All looks good, so she said we can tell everyone."

"Do mom and dad know?"

"We stopped by earlier to tell them."

"Congrats, man." Dean leans in and they exchange a back-thumping hug that is so stereotypically bro, I can't help but grin.

Brendan grins. "Guess we're both settling down."

I'm still not sure what Dean and I are doing. How can we have a future when he's too embarrassed to introduce me to his parents?

A tall brunette speed walks up to us, her face tight. "Dean." She wrings her hands. "There's an issue in the kitchen. There was a small, er... fire."

Dean facepalms. "I'm off the clock, Sara. Can't Sawyer handle it?"

"No disrespect intended, boss, but he's too wasted." She jerks her thumb at Sawyer, who's slamming down a tequila shot at the bar next to Charity. Charity was supposed to be our DD, but I have a hunch we will be taking a cab home tonight.

Dean harrumphs like the grumpy old man he is, deep down inside. Then he shoot us both an apologetic look. "I'll be right back."

The minute he's out of view, Peyton literally dances up to us. She bumps me worn her hip. "That was amazing."

"What was?" I ask. "The baby news? Yeah, it's super exciting."

"That too. But I meant that kiss with Dean in front of Travis and Jade. Their expressions were hilarious. Completely bewildered. And you looked like you didn't give a shit about either of them." She takes a sip of her vodka cranberry, ice cubes clinking. "That was so much better than if you had chewed her out."

Brendan utters a sound of disgust and arches his neck, gaze darting around the bar. "They're here?"

"They were. Dean told them they were full."

"That's one way to take out the trash." Peyton reached out and tries to toast me with her glass, then realizes I don't have a drink of my own. Threading her arm through mine, she tugs at me. "I'm taking your sister to go get a well-deserved drink."

Sorry for being a little MIA. Life stress has been literally unrelenting. Depression is a bitch, my friends. Let's just say I'm lucky to have such a wonderful husband who picks up the slack around the house, helps me talk through my plot problems, and loves me even when I'm hard to love.

Only a few chapters left in this one, though, some of which have already been written - so I'm trying to get through these in the next few days.