“No,how,” he says, tapping the table. “Money-wise.”
“I have money.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I have a job, Carter.”
“Had,” he corrects, “and you just bought a house with your savings, so nice try.”
The way she shrinks in her seat makes me wince. Her cheeks flush, those blue eyes snapping to mine for a quick second to check if I heard that part. It’s too late for me to look away, so I just take another drink and feign indifference.
Not judging you, sweetheart.
“My god, does Mom tell you everything?” she grumbles.
“When she’s worried about you, yeah,” Carter bites out, craning forward to force her to look at him. “Why didn'tyoutell me that? And how did you get here?”
I’m a bit confused. Always thought the Forkerros had money. Their dad is a big real estate guy in California. Their mother, even after their divorce, hasn’t worked a day since that ring was put on her finger. Why in the hell would their baby struggle to buy a plane ticket?
“Took an IOU from Dad.”
Carter’s brows skyrocket. “What?”
“Oh, like you haven’t.”
“Years ago,beforeI had any money,” he says, and he reaches forward, gripping her chin in his hand and forcing her face to his. She pushes back against his hold but he keeps her there, studying her eyes and every inch of her face.
“What are you doing?” she seethes, smacking at his hands.
“Are you on drugs?”
EJ coughs on his drink, bursting into laughter, but my blood goes cold. I stare at her as carefully as Forker does. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I know how to spot a user from a mile away. I think I would have noticed when she was in my face, staring at my mouth, but my anxiety spikes a bit anyway.
“Oh my god,” she hisses, slapping his hands off her. “You’re insane!”
“No,you’reinsane,” he snaps back. This is turning into a full-on sibling argument. “I told you the second I went pro that you come tomefor money. I won’t make you pay shit back, especially not when you’re using it to come and see me.”
“I’ve asked you for too much already,” she mutters, shrinking in her seat. Her mortification is palpable, and I feel bad for the girl. None of us needed to know she lost her job. “I need a drink.”
That’s my cue. “What do you want?”
She and Forker both look at me. I need out of this conversation before I go down the rabbit hole and start seeing things that aren’t there. The last thing I want is for anyone at this table to have to endure the kind of life I had. Loving an addict. I’m certain that Ariana Forkerro does not fall into that category, but now it’s been mentioned, and my mind is reeling.
Forker gives me those apologetic eyes again, like his sister is a liability and he’s sorry for it. I wish he knew how good he has it to have her so close, to have her running to him when she needssomeone. That kind of family is much rarer than you would think.
Ariana’s eyes are a bit less tantalizing when she looks at me now. The sparkle has dimmed. “Martini, please. Extra dirty.”
She doesn’t even say that last part in a flirtatious tone.
I dip my chin, sliding out from the booth.
“Thanks, Boss,” Forker says, turning back to his sister.
I approach the bar, immediately being met by familiar faces. Penny’s eyes widen. She frantically waves the bartender over. I take one look at the scene at the end of that bar and bite back a groan. There are full tequila shots littering the space in front of her, begging to be tossed back. One for each of the bridesmaids and one for the bride.
There is no way I’m getting out of here without joining them. I can see it in her eyes.
Fine. For the bride, I guess.
