Page 121 of The Best Shot

“A week, Annie,” Yasmine said. “He offered you one week with his car and you folded.”

“Didn’t fold. I gave him a direction.”

“You gave him my business for a set of car keys.”

“It’s a Chevelle, Yaz.”

“It’s still just a car, Annie.”

Annie stared at her. “That might be the most offensive thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“You told him about Monae.”

“And he sorted it.” Annie shrugged. “I don’t know why you’re complaining.”

Yasmine’s mouth tightened.

“Mm-hmm,” Annie said.

“I’m still mad.”

“You can be mad and grateful at the same time.”

“Evening, y’all,” I interrupted. Yasmine had a glint in her eye, and Annie had about ten seconds before she ended up in the pool.

Ava lifted one lazy hand from her float. “You’re late.”

“I come bearing dessert.”

Yasmine’s gaze dropped to the box in my hand, then came back to me. “Moretti’s?”

“Made the detour just for you.”

Her expression softened. “Thank you.”

“Doesn’t excuse what you said about the Chevelle, though.”

Annie sat up, vindicated. “Thank you!”

Yasmine rolled her eyes.

I carried the cheesecake toward the built-in grill before the argument could start again.

Carter had taken command of the setup, moving between the grill and stone counters with enough confidence to make it clear that assistance would only insult him. Grant leaned against the outdoor kitchen with a beer, half-watching the food, while Nico looked like he hadn’t moved from his lounge chair in hours, sunglasses on and a longneck balanced on his stomach.

I tipped my chin toward the grill. “How much longer?”

“Done when it’s done,” Carter said. “What’d you bring?”

“Cheesecake. Moretti’s.”

“Nice.”

His eyes lit in a way I didn’t like. I’d have to watch him—he’d put away the whole thing before Yasmine got a slice.

Grant opened the fridge beneath the counter and nodded me toward it. I took one, twisted off the cap, and leaned back against the stone.

Over by the water, Annie said something low enough that I couldn’t catch it. Whatever it was earned her a hard shove from Yasmine. Annie windmilled once before disappearing into the pool with a splash big enough to rock Ava and Tabby on their floats.