Wicked Ever After (Wicked & Devoted 2)

But now Cutter was gone, and she wasn’t ready to confide in her father. So her problems were hers alone. Despite feeling overwhelmed, she knew this self-reliance was good for her.

As kindly Mr. Davidson left with a wave, she locked up behind him with a tired sigh.

Rayleigh put an unexpected arm around her shoulders. “You look like you could use a friend, honey.”

She had no idea. “It’s been a long day.”

“Uh-huh. And ever since you and that fine specimen of a man had words earlier, you’ve looked ready to cry.”

Brea had felt that way, too. “I’m fine.”

Rayleigh narrowed her expertly made-up eyes. “I know your daddy taught you that lying is a sin. I’m going to the Sundowner. It’s a Friday night. Why don’t you come with me?”

“My father is expecting me to make supper and—”

“Nope. He came by while you were mixing up Mrs. Stringer’s color a bit ago. He and Jennifer Collins were heading to Josephine’s for dinner, then to a movie, so you’re free for a while. Grab your purse, and let’s go.”

She wondered if Daddy had already heard the gossip that a disreputable man, probably on his motorcycle, had barreled his way into the salon—complete with tattoos, loud mouth, and oozing sex appeal—demanding to talk to her and all but admitting they’d had sex.

This was Sunset. Of course he’d heard.

But the fact he was busy now was a guilty relief. And Rayleigh was right; she could use a friend.

“All right. I need to use the restroom and grab my coat.”

“I’ll meet you there. Since it’s Friday night, tables will be at a premium. So I’m going down there to grab one. Lock up behind you,” Rayleigh called out as she left.

Brea had never actually hung out in the bar, but she’d heard it got crowded just after quitting time at the start of the weekend.

After a quick trip to the toilet, she washed up, put on her coat to protect her from the sudden November chill, and tried not to think about Pierce.

What danger had he been talking about?

She turned off the lights and let herself out of the shop, securing the door behind her. Huddling into her coat, she bustled down the sidewalk, not surprised to see a few folks running from some shop along Napoleon Avenue to their cars, giving her a speculative side-eye.

Brea put her head down and pretended not to notice.

The wind caught her coat as she stepped into the Sundowner. The place was nothing to write home about. It was dark and dim, decorated with dartboards, beer signs, and a lot of men still carrying the sweat from their day’s work.

Rayleigh waved at her from a table in a quiet corner. Brea headed her way.

They weren’t exactly friends. The salon owner wasn’t old enough to be her mother…but it was close.

Her boss had grown up in Sunset, but moved away when she’d quit college to say I do. Three years later, she’d decided that she didn’t after all since her husband spent more time with his “work wife” than his legal one. So she’d moved back home and taken over the salon when her mother retired.

After slipping out of her coat, Brea eased into the chair. A glass of white wine sat waiting in front of her. “What’s this for?”

“Besides a friend, you looked like you could use a drink, too.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay.”

“You’re not, honey. A nip or two after the day you’ve had will make everything a little easier to bear.”

She shook her head. “I-it’s very sweet of you, but I have to drive to Lafayette.”

“So we’ll stay here for a bit. One glass won’t hurt.”

Brea searched for another excuse to decline the drink. “Well, I…um, have this headache—”

“No, you don’t.” Rayleigh slanted her a shrewd glance. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

Brea froze, panic biting at her. “What makes you think that?”

“Well, you’ve been sick more than usual. I chalked it up to stress since you’ve been through a lot with your daddy the last few months. Your sudden engagement surprised me because I didn’t think you were in love with Cutter, but I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe y’all were just private about your feelings. But I get it now; he’s giving you his name. That man who demanded to see you today is your baby’s father.” The woman patted her hand. “It’s okay. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Rayleigh…” How could she possibly refute her boss when she was right?

“I know we’ve never been close, and you’ve clearly gone to great lengths to keep this secret. Your deer-in-the-headlights expression tells me you didn’t expect me to figure it out. But I know one thing. Whoever that tall, dark, dangerous hunk of man is, you love him.”

Brea closed her eyes. If Rayleigh had seen that, who else had? “It’s complicated.”