Page 14 of No Headlines Please

Yes, she was.

Megan said, "Why shouldn't I? No one will believe it if I don't." She turned to me with a sly smile. "I'm free for dinner in case you're wondering."

The blonde looked ready to whack her with the gift bag. "You are not! We've got that party."

Megan waved it off. "So go without me."

The blonde's eyes narrowed. "Oh, yeah? Well, maybe you should go without me."

Megan's expression soured. "And what would you be doing?"

The blonde's gaze slid in my direction. "I dunno…maybe…talking or something." She said it like "talking" involved significantly fewer clothes.

Great.

A hate-fuck.

Just what I always wanted.

Megan glanced toward the elevator. "But we're already here. We can't cancel now." With her free hand, she gestured toward the ceiling. "They rented the penthouse and everything. Plus your cousin flew in from Houston."

"So?" the blonde said. "She'll get over it."

I had to say it. "Now that's funny."

The blonde whirled to face me. "What?"

I gave her a sharp look. "Abandoning plans only counts when I do it. Is that right?"

She looked genuinely offended. "No. A stupid engagement party isn't the same as bailing on your own wedding."

Megan's jaw dropped. "Stupid? Seriously? I helped plan this party."

"So?" the blonde said. "You were willing to bail, too." She gave a toss of her hair. "So maybe your party planning needs work."

They were still bickering when the building's main door opened and a uniformed courier stepped inside with a garment bag hooked over his shoulder. When he spotted us, he called out, "Delivery for Mr. McGuiness."

I stood and motioned him forward. As he headed my way, I looked to the women and asked, "We done here?"

The blonde cocked a hip. "I'm not done."

"Me neither," Megan said. "And just so you know, the party ends at eleven." She leaned toward me. "Maybe we could grab a drink later?"

The blonde whirled toward her friend. "Megan!"

Megan snorted. "What? A little drink never hurt anyone."

"Oh, please," the blonde said. "Tell that to Bethany. You remember Vegas, right?"

"What I remember," Megan said, "is you disappearing with a tattoo artist named Spider."

"Yeah…well…" The blonde hitched a thumb in my direction. "He was still nicer than this guy."

Silently, I stepped around the two women and reached for my wallet. I flipped it open, pulled out a nice tip, and handed it to the courier as he handed me the garment bag containing a clean shirt.

When I looked back at the women, they were both eyeing me like they were ready for round two.

I wasn't. Fuck it.