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“Nah. They’re actors. Not escorts.” She takes a nonchalant sip of her drink, eyeing me and noting my still present worry. She sighs, leaning forward. “I’m serious. You’re practically living every girl’s dream right now. All they need is magical powers and tragic backstories and you have yourself a proper fantasy romance.” She waggles her eyebrows knowingly and I huff, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
“Leave my book dragon life alone,” I grouse, but I can’t help the twitching of the corner of my mouth as she grins.
I shake my head at my sister's teasing, but can't help smiling. Only Annabelle can find humor even in my frazzled state.
"I just need to figure out what to say to them. How to handle this," I murmur, glancing down at my hands twisting together anxiously in my lap.
Annabelle makes an exaggerated snoring sound. "No more overthinking! Stop trying to control everything. It’s Cancun, Kitty-Kat! What better place to let your inhibitions run wild and have fun?"
I bite my lip uncertainly. My tendency to overanalyze has protected me in the past from poor choices. But she has a point that sometimes thinking too much leaves me paralyzed.
Before I can reply, a grating, overconfident voice cuts in. "Well, fancy running into you ladies here."
My spine stiffens as Brody saunters over, his artfully tousled hair and smug grin setting my teeth on edge.
Annabelle glares at him. "What do you want, Brody?"
Ignoring her icy tone, Brody focuses his hollow charm on me. "We need to talk, babe."
“Like hell, fucker. Go away.”
He slides into the seat next to me, heedless of my hostile body language. "C'mon Kathy, don't play coy. We both know this little charade with multiple boyfriends is just your way of trying to make me jealous."
He grasps my hand before I can pull away. "I get it, and it worked. I want you back, babe." His thumb strokes my knuckles and I yank my hand out of his in revulsion.
"You arrogant ass. I have zero interest in getting back with you." I stand abruptly, shoulders rigid. "Unlike you, I've moved on. So stop embarrassing yourself and leave."
Brody stands as well, moving into my space. His cloying cologne conjures bad memories. "Don't kid yourself. I'm the best you'll ever get." His eyes blaze with anger. "It’s no wonder you need three of them just to fill the hole I left in your life. Admit it–you're still hung up on us."
I can't help it–I throw my head back and laugh derisively, right in his face. "Please. I'd rather be alone for the rest of my life than ever let your cheating, pathetic ass back in it."
I turn dismissively, ready to end this toxic encounter, but Brody grabs my wrist, face mottling with rage. "Stop playing hard to get, Kat. I said I get it. You can drop the act now."
Before I can wrench my hand away, a menacing rumble interrupts. "Let. Her. Go."
My eyes widen as I take in Emrys looming behind Brody, murder etched on his rugged features. Brody pales but plasters on a cocky smirk and scoffs, not releasing his tight grip on my wrist. "Back off, dude. This is between me and my fiancé."
Fiancé? The arrogant claim makes my blood boil. I see red as I wrench my hand away from him forcefully, skin burning from where he touched me. Yet, before I can spit venom at his audacity, Wilder sidles up next to Emrys, a deceptively casual grin on his rugged features. His cobalt eyes are blazing with icy fire, his jaw clenched tightly.
"I think Kitten made herself clear, fella." Wilder's drawl drips false affability as he sizes Brody up. "No need to cause a scene."
Brody sneers, clearly trying to hide his nerves. "Stay out of this, hick."
Just then, Wyatt appears, looking impeccably composed in his crisp button-down as always. But the severe, penetrating look he pins Brody with could freeze molten lava. My pulse kicks up a notch as he steps closer to me, radiating strength and unwavering solidarity. His large hand comes to rest on my lower back possessively. I have to fight back a shiver at his touch searing through the thin fabric of my sundress.
"Perhaps you should leave, before things get...unpleasant." Wyatt's refined tone brokers absolutely no argument. The warning in his stormy eyes is clear.
Brody visibly wavers as he glances between the three intimidating men now flanking me protectively. He attempts a cocky laugh, but there's a frantic edge creeping into his voice that gives him away. "Whatever. She'll come crawling back eventually. She always does." Before any of us can respond, he whirls unsteadily on his heel and stalks away, shoulders taught with barely concealed rage.
I sag against Wyatt's sturdy frame in relief as the tension drains from my body. His strong hand slides further around my waist, steadying me, and I smile gratefully up at him. "Thank you. All of you, for that."
Wyatt's slate gray eyes soften, a slight smile curving his lips. "Of course, Kathryn." My name rolls off his tongue intimately, making me shiver.
Annabelle pipes up indignantly from behind me. "The absolute nerve of that man! I'm glad you guys put him in his place." She glances between the four of us, noting the tension still present. Snatching her drink from the table, she gives me a conspiratorial grin. “I’ll leave you crazy kids to it. Don’t forget about tonight!”
Then she simply sashays away. Leaving me alone with my three pretend boyfriends.
Before I can dwell any further on that fact, Wilder sidles up with a mischievous grin.
