Page 37 of Perfect Enough
Josh cleared his throat, and she went on before anyone else could speak. “We all thought he’d be the one, but there’s just something about Sophia that couldn’t hold his attention.”
I felt Josh stiffen next to me as I looked around for something to shove into my cousin’s mouth. Why the hell was she doing this?
Feeling my anger boil up, I took a deep breath to calm myself. Before I could defend myself, Josh rose to the occasion.
“I find it strange that you would assume Sophia did anything wrong. If she wasn’t giving him whatever it was he felt he needed, he should have been man enough to tell her that, instead of cheating on her with another woman…like a complete coward.”
Karen and I both stared at Josh with gaping mouths. Karen recovered first.
“Well, you certainly have an opinion on that, don’t you?”
He nodded. “I do, as did you since you felt the need to bring it up. I don’t think it’s fair to blame anyone for another person’s actions.”
Pressing her lips into a tight line, Karen glared at me, then back to Josh. “I guess we don’t know both sides of the story now, do we?”
I thought that would be the end of it, and I let out the breath I was holding. But clearly, Josh wasn’t finished.
“But you called out your cousin, and now you claim not to have all the facts. I’m curious as to why you blamedher.”
Putting on a sugary smile, Karen replied, “This isn’t the place or time for this conversation. I’m so glad I got to meet you, Josh. I do hope we can chat later. Maybe even take a spin out on the dance floor? Sophia won’t mind, will you?”
Josh put his arm around my waist and drew me closer. “I’m glad you finally acknowledged that this wasn’t the place for this discussion. Thank you, but all my dances are saved for my girlfriend.”
Karen’s smile turned to a frown before she replaced it with a fake grin. “Enjoy the evening.”
When she turned on her heel and left, Josh said, “She certainly lives up to that whole Karen thing, doesn’t she?”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “She’s never liked me.”
“Lucky you.”
My mother walked over and took my hand in hers. “Did she say anything to upset you?”
“Karen?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Mom,” I said with a light laugh. “I’m not six anymore. I can take care of myself.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh, then turned to Josh. “That girl has a mean streak in her, and I keep telling my sister she’s a little—”
“Mom!” I quickly said to stop her.
“Well, she is!” Mom retorted as she shot daggers at my cousin.
“Mr. Shaw? Why, I haven’t seen you here at the club in forever!”
An older male’s voice caused us all to turn. Josh grinned and put a hand out. “Lenard, it’s so good to see you.”
“How’s Ty doing? Your granddaddy, that is.”
“He’s doing well. I’ll tell him I ran into you.”
The older man gave Josh a pat on the side of the arm. “You do that. And tell him to get his ass over here to play some golf. Our fathers didn’t form this dang club for usnotto use it.”
My brows shot up, and my mother drew a small breath as she snapped her head around to look at Josh.
“I’ll pass the message along.”