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    This thing with his wife was worrisome. She was clearly unhappy, and he was going to have to fix that.
    Whatever it took.

    * * *

    Emma buzzed around the kitchen, finishing up all the last-minute prepping. Not only had she made appetizers for the ladies, but she’d also made a potluck contribution for the block party. The neighborhood event was fairly low-key, as she and Pete lived on a street that turned into a cul-de-sac that had only ten homes total. Their house was the one right before the cul-de-sac began.
    Pete was going out with the guys, which had been a nice surprise. She was glad he was meeting up with them. Piper had given her a heads-up about Michael inviting him, and Emma had been thrilled.
    Once the girls arrived, Emma planned on bringing them out to the block party for shits and giggles, but then they were going to come back here for the “travel shower” Caroline had insisted on throwing her.
    It felt like an overindulgence, but secretly Emma was touched. She hadn’t had girlfriends like this since grade school. In high school she’d been so focused on dancing, she’d missed out on a lot of opportunities to build lasting friendships, so she was beyond happy to have these ladies in her life right now. They made it brighter.
    Her phone beeped on the counter. It was Piper.
    ON OUR WAY. NEED ANYTHING?
    She typed back.
    NOPE. ALL SET.
    Piper replied.
    CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE ROCKIN’ BLOCK PARTY IN ACTION!
    Emma hadn’t told anyone about the Candace incident yet. She wanted to tell all the girls at once. She couldn’t wait.
    Emma texted Piper back.
    ME TOO. SEE YOU IN A FEW!
    Piper and Caroline were riding together, and Gillian was coming separately. Emma hoped Gillian had some juicy gossip to share about her interlude with someone famous here in town. Gillian and her husband, Brad, had hooked up with someone at the orgy they’d attended with Piper and Michael, but Gillian had been sworn to secrecy. They were all dying to know who it was.
    The girls would arrive in about twenty minutes if there was no traffic. Emma put the last cookie sheet in the oven. She’d made cheese tarts with caramelized onions. Emma had taken a half day off today so she’d have enough time to prepare.
    Right as she shut the oven door, her phone rang.
    She wiped off her hands and picked it up. It was Pete. She smiled like she always did when he called. He preferred calls to texts, and she loved that.
    “Hello,” she said.
    “Hey, how are you?” Pete asked. “I wanted to touch base before each of our nights began.”
    “I’m great. Just finishing all the last touches before the girls get here. It should be fun. Are you bummed you’re missing the block party?” she joked.
    “Hell no.” He chuckled.
    “I wonder if Candace will have the balls to attend,” Emma said. “I hope she does. The girls need to meet her.”
    “I don’t care if she does, and I hope I never lay eyes on her again. Are you sure you don’t need anything? I can swing home first if you need me to pick something up.”
    “Nope, I’m good. Have fun tonight with the guys.”
    “I will. I’m actually looking forward to it,” Pete said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a guys’ night out. Michael mentioned that they talk about the lifestyle once in a while. It’ll be nice to be relaxed and chat.”
    That’s what Emma was hoping for. Piper was a genius. “I hope you have fun. Take your time.”
    “I will. And Emma?” There was a tentative note in his voice.
    “Yes?”
    “I love you.”
    “I love you, too.” Emma had remained adamant in her refusal to discuss the Candace incident each time Pete had brought it up, but mostly because she didn’t want to crack her façade. Ensuring that he knew she still wasn’t happy about the entire thing would go a long way. But she wasn’t going to lie to her husband over the phone.
    She loved him like crazy.
    “Okay, I’ll see you later.” He sounded relieved, and Emma felt a little