Want Me (Mess with Me 4)

Let them wonder.

“Law got an unexpected visit from his ex-wife. She's been sniffing around since last week.”

“Who is she? Do we need to find this bitch?” Ariana pushes her sleeves up.

Mya sighs. “Calm down, Rocky. I’m sure she flew back to California on her broom by now.”

“Hopefully. But it was enough for Law to realize he’s been letting his baggage with her ruin our relationship. He said he wanted to catch me at the event before it was too late. Although I’m not sure how he knew I was there with Seth.”

Mya tentatively raises her hand. “I might have had something to do with that.”

“Well, I’m grateful. We talked and things are good now. He’s been good. After years of hearing his ex telling him he was boring and not good enough, now he knows that’s not true. He’s exactly what I want.”

“I get how he felt,” Ariana says.

Mya looks at her, shocked. “You understand? Mistress Bitterness can sympathize with emotions?”

“What?” Ari says defensively. “I can be emotional. Sometimes. After watching my parents fight I didn’t think a relationship was in the cards for me. Or friends. I used to do weird stuff thinking it would keep people away from me.”

“Like carrying a demon baby doll on the subway?” Mya comments.

“Or wearing a snorkel and wetsuit the first time we met?” Casey chimes in.

Ariana shrugs. “That was easier than being disappointed all the time. But it turns out letting my inner weirdo out didn’t just drive the wrong people away, it attracted the right people. It got me you guys, didn’t it?”

“Awww. Ari, that’s actually really sweet!” Casey leans over for a hug. Mya wraps her arms around them both. Unable to resist, I join in, resting my head on Mya’s shoulder.

Ariana yells, “Too much estrogen in the room!”

After that, conversation turns to Mya’s upcoming visit back to her parents’ hometown in Barbados and whether we should plan an island getaway for a Girl’s Night trip. Once the margaritas are all gone, Ariana takes the pitcher into the kitchen. I follow carrying our glasses.

“Did you ever think our pact would lead us here.”

She laughs. “Our pact got us both what we wanted in the end.”

“Does this mean you’re finally going to introduce me to your guy?”

“Yes. We’ll have you guys over for dinner really soon. It’s finally time. Actually, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to tell you. Now that you’re all happily-ever-aftered I don’t have to worry that it’ll be too deep.”

She takes a deep breath and then starts singing.

Check One. Check Two.

I want to share some news with you!

After waving her arms around, she ends with a hip thrust.

Mya is just entering the room when Ari starts moving. She starts shaking her head and waving her arms.

“Oh no. Ari, what did we talk about? This is not how you tell people serious news!”

She drags Ari out of the room by the arm. We can hear them fussing all the way into the hallway. Then Ari whines, “But I changed the dance moves!”

I look over at Casey. “What was that?”

She shakes her head. “That’s a whole other story. Trust me. You’ll need to get comfortable for this one.”

Epilogue