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“That’s all?” Stone ribbed. “Hell, it had to be more than that.”
“A dollar, please.” Gabriel had one hand held out to me and the other to Stone, who winked at me as he reached for his wallet.
“Cover mine. I left my purse downstairs.”
“Don’t that beat all? She’s got more money than all of us put together, and I get stuck paying her bills.”
“Shut up, Stone.”
“That’s another dollar.”
Everyone snickered.
“What was the verdict on that whiskey?” I needed something and fast.
“Is this suitable?” Daniel held up a bottle of Balcone’s.
“Good man having this around,” Daddy said with approval.
“How many glasses do we need?” Vivian asked as she opened a cabinet.
“Fifteen,” I answered automatically, accounting for all the adults in the room.
“Will you take yours in a champagne flute?” Vivian held one up to me.
“I’ll have it any way I can get it.”
Daniel poured while Vivian and Stone dispersed. She handed a glass to me. “Take that to Easton, would you?”
“Give me another one for Mr. Carter,” I grumbled.
I delivered his, gave a quick kiss to Mrs. Carter, and dropped Easton’s drink in front of him, some of the amber liquid splashing onto the center island counter. “I see your mood hasn’t improved.”
“Not much reason for it.” I glanced past him to his mother, who seemed much better. “Not many,” he amended.
“Good thing I didn’t hold my breath for an apology from you.” I picked up his glass and slung back some of the liquor.
“Sometimes you have to go first, Heartbreaker.”
I didn’t care for the way he spoke my nickname. There was none of the affection or respect it usually held.
“You accused me of sinking the company,” I hissed. Mrs. Carter’s brow slightly rose though she pretended not to listen. I lowered my voice, leaning closer to his face. “If that’s not something to be sorry for, I don’t know what is.”
“I think there’s something else you’ve made abundantly clear you regret.”
I tensed. We’d managed to avoid it this long, and now wasn’t the time and place. Yet again, his attitude toward me had turned in a direction I didn’t like.
“Let’s go outside. Get this over with,” I said. Something had crawled up his ass and died, and it was more than this shit with the company.
“Haven’t you gotten in enough shots at me?” His knuckles were white as he gripped the glass and took a sip.
“I’m tired of these innuendos and games.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Don’t you just make the most stunning couple?” Vivian smiled sweetly at Easton and me.
“I’m glad you think so,” Easton said, locking his gaze on me. “Especially since Mulaney is my wife.”
