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Violet glanced back at Chuck/Coop. His friend Simon was right behind him, stuck on her cowboy chauffeur like a fake nail to a freshly buffed fingernail. “No.” It was one thing to fall for a blue collar man who was trying to get his life together and another to fall for a man who came from a family like she did, one that sometimes was newsworthy. “It’s bad enough that you’re a notorious playboy, but Xuri is a notorious attention-seeker. After this is over, my grandmother and I are going to ground.” Vi just hoped she could get out of this mess without any media attention.
Voices rose behind her. Violet turned.
“It’s my coat! And Iwillhave it back!” That was Grandma Dotty’s most determined voice.
“I’m just borrowing it.” Those slurred words sounded like Kelcie.
Grandma Dotty had her hands on one arm of her stolen coat and was trying to tug it off Kelcie. But several of Xuri’s models were grabbing onto the coat from behind Kelcie or were trying to grab hold of Grandma Dotty, who was balanced precariously on the pool edge coping.
Chuck/Coop edged past Violet, heading toward the ruckus.
“This isn’t your coat, old lady,” said a pompous-looking young man with chiseled facial features. He was dressed all in black, standing behind Kelcie. He held onto Grandma Dotty’s jacket at the shoulders. “Let go!”
“You mind your manners, sonny boy.” Grandma Dotty’s face was pinched with determination. Her efforts increased. “You just want the coat for yourself.”
Xuri smiled, circled by her little minions.
“I just want my chance, Dotty.” Kelcie was being shaken like a rag doll by Grandma Dotty and the man behind her.
As for the jacket…
It was either going to rip or end up with whoever had a stronger grip.
Vi’s fear for her grandmother’s safety increased to breath-stealing levels. But what could she do?
Nothing, except hope that Chuck/Coop could reach her grandmother soon.
A hand settled on Violet’s waist. A proprietary touch. She jumped, and half-turned, so on edge that she nearly lost her balance and fell.
“We should try to get closer,” Simon shouted in her ear.
First Chuck/Coop wooed her with his smooth moves and now his buddy was making a play?
Frustration coiled in Vi’s shoulders. Anger roared in her ears.
“Now isn’t the time for a pass!” Violet spun the rest of the way around and pushed Simon back.
He fell into the pool.
Oops.
As one, the crowd seemed to shut up and turn toward the splash. Vi used the distraction to push onward.
But the commotion threw Grandma Dotty and her adversaries off. Grandma Dotty’s balance wavered. She released the coat. Her arms cartwheeled and her little booty pushed back-and-forth as she tried to find her equilibrium.
“No!” Vi shouted, trying to push her way through the swarm.
“Really, Violet?” Simon was a bad swimmer, arms splashing clumsily as he swam past. “I was only trying to help you reach your grandmother!”
“A likely story, Mr. Handsy,” someone nearby said, giving Violet a thumbs up.
I’m going to have to apologize to Simon later.
Just then, Grandma Dotty went over backward into the pool. “I-eee!”
“Dotty!” Kelcie slipped free of the jacket and tumbled after Grandma Dotty jacket-less, just as Chuck/Coop reached her.
A wave of water drenched his legs.
