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Short notice but Allie Riddle’s team reached out to ask if you’re free to fly to L.A. tonight for her film premiere.
My mind clicks to an image of shiny red hair and a megawatt smile on the big screen. Never even met her in person. I tend to steer clear of actresses. I’d rather not be left guessing if someone is for real or playing a part. And those Hollywood red carpet events are boring and phony as hell.
Besides, I’ve got another mission in mind and it doesn’t involve flying to L.A. to function as some starlet’s arm candy.
I’ll pass.
She replies with the same thumbs up emoji I just used. I make a mental note to give her a nice raise. Angela will appreciate that. She and her husband can rescue all the horses now.
As I stuff my phone back in my pocket, Charlotte sings softly to Dash on the other side of the patio. Across the table, Gage whispers something to Dani that makes her giggle. Dani buries her face in Gage’s neck before pulling back to give him the kind of Fuck Me Now look that makes me feel like an intruder so I turn my gaze to Total yawning on the patio floor and concentrate on polishing off my meatball sandwich.
I’ve barely swallowed the last bite when Dani notices that milk-drunk Dash is dozing off in Charlotte’s arms. She leaves Gage’s lap and collects the baby with tenderness. “Naptime,” she murmurs with a kiss to his plump little cheek.
“Can I read him a story?” Charlotte asks.
Dani smiles at the little girl and they all disappear into the house together. Charlotte’s loyal canine sidekick perks up and obediently trots after her.
While I was watching this scene unfold, Gage has been watching me. He doesn’t flinch when I return his hard stare. I’m the one to blink first. Point goes to Gage.
He leans back in his chair. “Something’s on your mind.”
“Didn’t know you’d acquired extrasensory perception.”
“I haven’t. You’re just transparent as fuck. Spill it.”
Beating around the bush isn’t a skill I’m familiar with so I don’t bother to try. “I went on a little east side mission last night. Didn’t find what I was searching for.”
His brows rise an inch. He doesn’t ask a question. He just waits for me to come clean.
I push my empty plate aside with a shrug. “I was in the mood to surprise a friend.”
“A friend.” His nod includes no surprise but plenty of amusement. “Curious choice of words.”
He knows exactly who I’m talking about. Of course he does. Gage is like a moody oracle.
I flick a balled up napkin at him. “Are you really gonna give me shit about this?”
“Of course. Micah’s on vacation so someone’s got to do the job.” He glances at the open patio door and breaks into a satisfied grin. “And my wife just lost a really big fucking bet.”
“I don’t know what the hell that means.”
“It means the sight of you twirling Haven Marchenko around on the dance floor sparked plenty of interest. Dani insisted there was nothing to it, just you being your annoyingly charming self. I disagreed. Your dirty plans were written all over your face so I felt inspired to make a wager.”
Sometimes it’s irritating to realize he knows me so well. “Congrats on the win but it’s kind of a crappy move to take money from your own wife.”
“Money?” He chuckles and shakes his head. “Fuck no. My prize will be a whole lot more fun to collect and she’llreallyenjoy giving it up.”
“Good for you. Now will you give me the name of Haven’s club or do I need to sit through more of your gloating?”
“The Back Door on Front Street.” He parks his elbows on his knees and taps out an involuntary rhythm on his ironed black trousers. A crease appears between his brows. “You have to understand that you are walking right into a snake pit.”
“I know what her last name is. Doesn’t mean shit.”
“But it’s a damn good reason to stay on your toes.”
I meet his gaze so he knows I’m serious. “I won’t be changing my mind about her.”
“I’m not saying you should. Just keep your wits about you.”
