Read Online Grave Misgivings by Lily Harper Hart - Free Book Online

away.”
    “Why?”
    “Because he didn’t want everyone in town assuming it was because of Maddie,” Christy said.
    “When did Blackstone Bay turn into a soap opera?” Aaron asked.
    “I’m pretty sure it was 1985,” Christy replied, not missing a beat. “Anyway, Nick and Maddie talked over their issues, and Nick realized he had to be with her or he was going to explode, but he still had that pesky girlfriend to deal with.”
    “You never could just tell a story in a hundred words or less,” Aaron grumbled.
    Christy ignored him. “The girlfriend figured out Nick was going to break up with her and proceeded to hide from him to try and put it off,” she said. “Nick finally found her and dropped the hammer, and then he and Maddie got together the next day.”
    “So? That sounds like a happy ending to me,” Aaron said, nonplussed.
    “The ex-girlfriend in question is the woman Marla brought as her plus-one this weekend,” Christy said.
    “Oh,” Aaron said, casting a look at Cassidy over his shoulder. The auburn-haired woman was staring at the small group with a dark look on her peaches-and-cream face. “Why couldn’t you just say that from the beginning?”
    “You would have missed a lot without the dramatic retelling,” Christy said. “I’m sure you can understand that Maddie and Nick aren’t comfortable around Cassidy and Marla. Marla has been going out of her way to stir the pot because she’s always had issues with Maddie.”
    “It’s called jealousy,” Aaron said. “She’s also always had a crush on Nick. I’ll just bet she didn’t tell Cassidy that little tidbit. How did my mother miss all of this when she was giving me the gossip last week?”
    “I don’t know,” Christy said. “It was the talk of the town.”
    “I don’t doubt it.” Aaron looked back at Marla and Cassidy again. “I’ll handle this.”
    “Wait,” Maddie said, grabbing his arm to still him. “What are you going to do?”
    “I’m going to kick them out.”
    “Don’t do that.”
    “Why not?” Nick asked, making a face.
    “That’s just going to let them think they got to us,” Maddie said. “I’m tired of having to change the way we act when they’re around. Maybe we should make them adjust to us for a change.”
    “Are you sure you’re up for that?” Nick asked.
    “Of course she is,” Aaron said. “Look at her. She looks like a Victoria’s Secret model. Why would she care what the bitter twosome think?”
    “She’s sensitive,” Nick said.
    “Nicky,” Maddie warned.
    “What?”
    “Stop trying to protect her,” Christy answered for Maddie. “She’ll be fine. I’m here. You’re here. If Marla gets out of hand there’s a river right out the back door for me to drown her in.”
    “I’m still not sure,” Nick said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought we were going to get a chance to relax this weekend. Marla and Cassidy are anything but relaxing.”
    “Hey, man, if this Cassidy chick can’t understand that you’ve been in love with Maddie since you were kids, that’s on her,” Aaron said. “Everyone in town knew about your dating schedule. I’m sure a couple of those chicks thought they were going to be the ones to break the cycle. It’s not your fault they deluded themselves.”
    “Listen, I’m not particularly proud about what I did to Cassidy,” Nick said. “She has a right to be angry … at me. She tends to go after Maddie, though.”
    “Maddie already won the game,” Aaron said. “Quite frankly, it was always rigged in her favor. I think this weekend could be a great way for you all to talk about things on neutral ground and get all your issues out in the open.”
    “That sounds like a good idea,” Maddie said.
    “That sounds like a terrible idea,” Nick argued.
    Maddie glanced at Christy for support.
    “Oh, Maddie, it’s a terrible idea,” Christy said. “I can’t wait to watch it, though. I’m still rooting for Marla to get doused in the