Ella wasn’t sure she liked the wordswath.
“So he’s not dating Roni?” Ella asked, certain Molly and Judi must be exaggerating about Maverick.
Molly took a sip of her coffee. “According to Roni, she and Maverick hooked up after his brother Levi’s wedding a few months ago. Roni was blowing up our phones the next day, bragging about how great the sex was.”
Judi leaned closer, her voice low. “Not that that’s news. Women aren’t shy about sharing Maverick details—like the fact the man has impressive equipment, and he knows exactly how to use it.”
“Have you and—” Ella stopped, aware that was a very personal question, considering they were little more than acquaintances. “Never mind.”
“No. I was an idiot and married Richard right out of high school,” Judi said.
“You’ve been divorced for a year,” Molly reminded her.
“That’s right. And I’ve been trying to get with Maverick ever since, becausethisgirl,” Judi said, pointing to herself, “wants a ride on that Ferris wheel. Even if itisonly for one night.”
Molly giggled. “I hope you get it, because after so many years with Richard, the two-pump chump, you deserve some amazing sex.”
Ella frowned at Molly. “You and Maverick?”
Molly shook her head. “Oh no. Don’t I wish. About seven years ago, he and I went on a date, but he never called for a second. Didn’t even get a kiss good night.”
“I forgot you and Maverick had a date,” Judi mused.
“Yep. It was just before I started dating Jeremy.” Molly was apparently married to one of Gracemont’s two dentists. “Although I’m not ashamed to admit that it might be Maverick I think about when I sleep with Jeremy. Well, Mav and Jonathan Bailey, because if I’m going to fantasize about men I’ll never get, might as well go big or go home, am I right?”
Molly and Judi fist-bumped, giggling.
Ella wished she could share their mirth, but her head was spinning over this information. She’d already decided to leave the past in the past, and now she was glad. While she was still harboring a fair amount of pain over their breakup, it was clear Maverick was doing just fine.
Toofine.
Desperate to change the subject, Ella said, “Maverick’s brothers, Jace and Everett, were at Whiskey Abbey too.”
Mercifully, Judi and Molly picked up the ball she lobbed, changing the subject to Maverick’s brothers, who apparently were much more discerning about who they took to bed. Judi then moved them completely away from the Storm brothers altogether, talking about a date she’d recently had with the former mayor, Scottie Grover. Who according to Judi, wouldn’tbe getting a second date, because he was “the most boring human being on the planet and a mama’s boy.”
“I could have told you that before you went out with him,” Molly said.
Judi shrugged. “He caught me in a weak moment…after three margaritas at Whiskey Abbey. Screwed by tequila.”
Ella spent another thirty minutes sipping her coffee, pretending to listen to Judi and Molly, as she digested all this new information about Maverick.
Try as she may, she couldn’t make the man they described fit with her sweet, utterly devoted high school boyfriend. Of course, she had no trouble believing the sex god part, because she’d experienced that for herself.
After saying her goodbyes to the women, Ella walked back to Edith’s house, feeling just as tired and emotionally wrung out as she had when she’d left.
“Well, that was a long coffee break,” Edith said, when Ella walked into the house.
“I ran into a couple of girls from school,” she said. “Molly Baker—well, I guess it’s Molly Jenkins now—and Judi Devereaux.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot about their standing coffee date,” Edith mused, proving just how much everyone in this town knew about everyone else. “What hot gossip did those girls have to share?”
Ella tried not to grimace. “They were talking about the Storm brothers. Apparently, they’re sad a few of them are off the market.”
Edith frowned. “Only two are officially off the market.”
While Ella wasn’t sure she could handle hearing any more about Maverick, she couldn’t help but wonder if what Molly and Judi said about him was true. “They don’t consider Maverick available.”
“Ah,” Edith said knowingly. “I’m sure they don’t. Just like I’m sure they are wrong.”