Page 47 of Mr. Match

Well, that’s nice. “Thank you,” I say.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ivy.” We all turn to look at Ariel. “She’s Oliver’s ghost.”

“I’m not a ghost. I’m an ex… girlfriend.”

Ariel screws up her face. “Oliver doesn’t have girlfriends.”

“Well, we dated for like six months four years ago. I think that counts.”

“Oh, my God,” Ivy says, counting on her fingers. “Were you underage? That’s kinda hot.”

“It’s stupid, is what it is,” Ariel says. “Like my brother needs that kind of attention?”

“He’s my brother too,” Cindy says. “I think it’s hot. I started stalking Paxton when I was thirteen.”

“You’re sick,” Ariel says.

Cindy just nods her head. “Damn right. And he’s just as sick as me. We’re peas in a pod.”

“I just think it proves how much Oliver likes her,” Ivy says. “I mean, to take a risk like that? After… you know.” She sighs and closes her eyes for a moment before opening them back up and saying, “Nolan took a risk like that for me too. I think it’s sweet.”

“Mac took a risk with me too.” Ellie was looking out the front window during this conversation. Like she was lost in thought. But now she comes over to the table. “And really, if any of us are a ghost, it’s probably Tori. Her and West’s story. Jesus. Talk about drama.”

“I don’t think it’s sweet,” Ariel says. “I think they’re a bunch of dumbasses who think with their cocks.”

“That too,” Cindy says. “But they’re our cock-thinking dumbasses.”

“Welp,” Ellie says. “We might as well get started on the plan while we wait for Tori to come back inside.”

“She’s not part of the plan,” Ariel says.

“Oh, I think she is,” Ellie says. “If she knew Lucio Gori Junior, then she knows Lucio Gori Senior, Ariel. She can be the bait.”

“Bait?” I ask.

“Just a figure of speech Tori came up with,” Ellie says. “She was the bait, but you know… I think our little kitten here might work better. They’re expecting Tori to do something. She’s wild and unpredictable. Tell me, Kat. Are you known for being wild and unpredictable?”

“Not really,” I say, letting the answer come out without thinking.

“See,” Ellie says, taking the seat next to Ariel at the table and folding her hands in her lap. “She’s perfect. She’s exactly who we need.”

Ariel sighs, still staring at me. “I don’t trust you.”

I stand up. “Look… maybe it was a mistake to come here. Just tell Oliver I had to go to work. And I need a day to myself to think.”

Cindy grabs my arm so quick, I startle. “Sorry,” she says, letting go. “But wait. You can’t just walk out now. My sister isn’t someone who trusts people easily, that’s all. Meet us tomorrow. We can all have a good long think and then see the situation with new eyes.”

“Good idea,” Ivy says. “I’m sure whatever the men are doing outside will require a nice long think as well. At the very least we need enough time to stop them from going forward with whatever stupid plan they come up with next.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Ellie laughs. She looks at me. “We’ve decided to cut them out of this little problem we find ourselves in and take the reins.”

“Men.” Cindy sighs. “They really are a bunch of cock-thinking dumbasses.”

I consider their offer for a second. It would be nice to have people on my side. And these girls all seem capable in their own ways. I mean, five more people to help me dig my way out of this fucking hole I’m in? How could I say no to that?

“OK,” I say. “I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

“We can have coffee at the theater,” Ariel says.