SPF on Her Skin, A Knife in My Heart

I'm seven months pregnant when my husband's close female friend, Suzy Ruffalo, invited us to a beach party.

The sun is blazing, so I stay tucked under a parasol, quietly scrolling through my phone.

Suddenly, Suzy wanders over and swings herself onto my husband's lap. "Hurry up and put the sunscreen on me! Don't just put it on my chest this time. I don't want to wake up tomorrow with my boobs two shades lighter."

For a moment, I wonder if I've heard her wrong.

My husband, Ted Cohen, casually picks up the sunscreen and starts rubbing it on her chest without hesitation. "Your boobs are tiny to begin with. I'm helping you to make it fairer so that it looks bigger."

Suzy slaps his shoulder in annoyance. "How's that your business? You said my bikini area was darker the previous time."

The rest of the guys started whistling.

When Ted rubs the sunscreen just below her navel, he subconsciously glances at me. However, Suzy grabs his hand and shoves it lower.

"Don't worry, Nina. He's touched this area so many times he's immune by now. It's just sunscreen. There's no need to get jealous over this, yeah?"

I snort and look away to book a time for the divorce agreement.

I will not be jealous, but they're both going to be on the receiving end of my slaps.

Seeing my lack of response, Suzy Ruffalo rested her hand over Ted Cohen's and chuckled.

"Women are such trouble. They say they're not jealous, yet their eyes give them away every time." She pretended to be gracious and waved her hand. "Forget it. You don't have to apply sunscreen for me."

However, Ted didn't pull away. He turned and glanced at me briefly before leaning closer to Suzy. "Nina is about to give birth. She isn't as childish as you."

Just then, Ted's hand stopped moving. Suzy's cheeks flushed instantly. She swatted at him in mock outrage. "You little brat. I told you to help me with sunscreen, not to get handsy!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Suzy, didn't you grab Ted's ass during that truth‑or‑dare game? He's just getting even!"

"This is hilarious! Didn't you say his fingers weren't as long as your intimate part? Guess he's proving you wrong!"

Heat rushed to my face, and my heart hammered against my ribs. I'd always known Ted had a close female friend, the kind of "bro" he could get along with. I didn't realize how close their relationship had been.

I stood abruptly and tried to calm myself down. All I could think of was the dirty conversations earlier.

Ted doubled down on his movement, causing Suzy to gasp. Her body started to tremble uncontrollably.

Ted tilted her chin up and smirked. "That's for being rude to Nina earlier. I'm just teaching you a lesson."

He decided to withdraw his hand when Suzy kicked him hard in protest. Then, he patted her ass and nudged her toward me. "Apologize to Nina now, or I'll have to punish you again."

Suzy pouted and said in an aggrieved tone, "See? I told you bringing your family would be trouble. Look how awkward things are now."

She placed her hand on my shoulder and explained, "Ted and I have known each other since we were kids. So, we know each other's habits and bodies very well.

"If there were really anything between us, do you think you'd have ended up with him? Don't worry. Even if there are no men left in the world, I'll never be with that brat."

Suzy smiled widely, though she sounded annoyed. "Are you satisfied?"

Suddenly, a loud snap was heard. Ted flicked at Suzy's bra strap and teased, "Do I look like a petty man?"

Suzy gasped and turned to me with a smirk. Then, she looped her arms around Ted's neck and said sweetly, "How many bras have you ruined already? Remember last time you gave me her size when I was at your house? It was so big I might as well have been wearing nothing!"

My blood turned cold. It was no wonder I'd noticed pieces of my undergarment missing.

I couldn't tolerate this anymore. I grabbed the glass in my hand and threw the juice straight at them. "Are you guys done?"