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I’d met people before who held such a viewpoint. I’d probably meet more in the future as well. And while I understood where they were coming from, I felt that they often failed to consider thateveryoneexperienced struggles of some kind. Financial security didn’t provide a buffer from pain, problems, or loss. In fact, having money often came with its own set of issues.
But I had no intention of discussing it with her—I was too damn old to care what perfect strangers thought of me. So, ignoring the bitchy portion of her comment, I instead said, “Well, malls sure aren’t for everyone. In fact, they—Drey, no peeking in my bags!”
My brother-in-law straightened. “I was only looking at the wrapping paper. Do you really need that much of it?”
I smiled at the memory of one roll almost giving him a hellacious bitch slap when he earlier lifted my bags to stick them in the trunk. “Yes, because I have other gifts to wrap as well. Most of it is stuff I ordered online. I’m planning to do all my wrapping this weekend so I can stick the presents under the tree.”
“I still can’t believe you got Dax to help you put up a Christmas tree,” said Drey, blowing out an astonished breath.
“I still can’t believe he’s good withhavinga tree,” remarked Jag. “How did you get him to agree?”
As I wasn’t inclined to share the very sweet and private things Dax had said to me on this matter, I simply shrugged one shoulder and flashed Jag a mysterious smile. “I have my ways.” I then refocused on Drey. “I heard from Harri that Sabre’s doing better.”
“Your sister performed some kind of black magic on my dog—she denies it, but nothing else makes sense,” insisted Drey. “He’s still not quite right upstairs, and I doubt anything will change that. But he’s more chilled. Especially around Harri. He fairly trips all over himself to please her, tongue lolling, tail wagging. He absolutely adores her.”
“Harri’s easy to adore.”
The curve of his mouth said he agreed … but not as a guy potentially interested in a girl. No, more as a guy who thought he had a super cool friend.
Ugh, these two were gonna drive me bonkers. Because honestly, I thought they’d make a good couple if they’d only consider crossing the “friend” line. “It would seem that Jameson certainly thinks so—he wants to take her out for lunch.” Harri had mentioned it yesterday via text.
A faint line dented Drey’s brow, making him look somewhat put-out. Huh. How very interesting.
“Isn’t he a little old for her?” asked Drey, his voice sort of gruff.
I snickered. “You sound like Alicia.” I didn’t miss that Jag’s shoulders slightly tensed on hearing her name. “But then, she thinks everyone’s too old for Harri.”
Drey scratched his jaw. “I saw Alicia from afar a few days ago. She was scowling at her phone like its very existence offended her.”
She had probably received yet another message from Dario. The asshole wasn’t giving up. I wouldn’t explain the situation to these people here, though. I liked Drey and Jag a lot, but Alicia’s business washerbusiness. And I wouldn’t reveal any of it in front of Leonie anyway.
As such, I gave an aloof shrug and said, “Maybe she lost at a game of Solitaire or something. Right, I’ve got to dash. Thank you for the assist, it was good to see you all.” Or it was good to see the guys, anyway.
We exchanged goodbyes, though all I received from Leonie was a halfhearted wave that was no more than a flick of her hand. Oh, how heartbroken I was.
I made my way to the driver’s door and pulled it open. I was about to slide into the vehicle when I noticed two people standing near a parked car several feet away in the lot.
Felicity and Blaise.
Wonderful. Positively wonderful.
I straightened my shoulders, bracing myself for trouble. But … I didn’t receive my usual snarl from Blaise. He avoided meeting my eyes like they had the ability to hypnotize.
Felicity didn’t sneer at me either. In fact, she weirdly flashed me a smirk. A mean-ass, superior, “I almost pity you”smirk.
I tensed. In what world would she ever pity me? Ever?
In a world where she knew about the pact.
That seemed the likeliest explanation. She could have learned of it from Grayden. Having such knowledge would definitely result in Felicity finding me nothing but a mere joke—that was how she’d view the situation.
Maybe I should have expected Grayden to tell her. He wasn’t exactly a fan of either Dax or me at the moment. I’d seen him from a distance a few times while out and about. He spotted me on each occasion but made a point of looking the other way in a dismissive gesture.
“Well, hello, Addison,” Felicity all but sang. “Hope you and Dax are doing well.”
A nervous-looking Blaise whispered something into her ear and pulled at her arm, trying to lead her away. A smart decision on his part—and a sign that he’d hopefully turn his behavior around. She didn’t fight him, shooting me a glance that said I wasn’t worth her time.
Well, at least I wouldn’t have to deal with any confrontations.
