Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92972 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Charlotte shakes her head. “No, don’t worry about calling. It makes sense, but I’ll text her tomorrow to let her know she doesn’t have to bother. I don’t need revenge. I’m a grown-up.”
He arches a brow. “Are you sure? She sounded pissed and thirsty for vengeance on your behalf.”
“I’m sure,” Charlotte says. “I have better things to do than feed the trolls.”
Parker grunts. “Okay, I’ll convey the message. But fair warning, Makena may still choose violence. She can swing from sweet, nurturing savior of infant wildlife to avenging Valkyrie with a mouth full of very cutting verbal warfare so fast it would make your head swim.”
“Two sides of the same coin, I think,” Charlotte says with a fond smile. “She’s the primal mama bear, prepared to love hard or defend hard. Depending on what her baby bears need.”
Parker cants his head to one side, seeming to think on that for a beat. “Yeah, you’re right. Probably a good thing we’re not planning on having any human babies. If she’s this fierce with her chosen family, I can’t even imagine…” He gives an exaggerated shudder, making us both laugh as he steps away, lifting a hand in farewell.
We turn back to each other, smiles softening now that it’s just us.
“Ready to go eat a ridiculous amount of pizza?” I murmur. “And prove Beer Tits and her main man have nothing to hide from tonight or any other night?”
She nods. “So ready.”
She slips her hand in mine, I hitch my gear bag higher on my other shoulder, and we walk toward the exit. She squeezes my fingers, and I squeeze back, returning her grin.
Let them talk.
I couldn’t give a shit.
I’m the one lucky enough to be leaving with Beer Tits.
Ten
CHARLOTTE
The Voodoo “Stick with Kids” Gala is the kind of event I could run in my sleep.
Elegant venue? Check.
The Riverside Manor ballroom is dripping in crystal chandeliers, with floor-to-ceiling windows that show off the Mississippi River like part of the décor.
Impeccable catering? Check.
The shrimp remoulade is perfection, and the vegetarian option is actually vegetarian, not a sad pile of wilted lettuce pretending to be a meal.
Well-dressed attendees mingling with the right amount of enthusiasm for providing underprivileged kids with hockey gear?
Check and bless their good hearts.
I’m in my element.
Or, I should be.
But honestly, it’s strange being on the “civilian” side of an event like this. I can’t remember the last time I attended a high-profile ball or gala without a headset and clipboard. I’m usually running the show or too tired to get dressed up and socialize.
The last few times I was invited to attend a society function, I made a donation and pretended to have a scheduling conflict.
I’m turning into a homebody in my old age…
I would certainly rather be “home” with Nix than watching him work the room, that’s for sure. After a week apart, I selfishly—stupidly—want him all to myself.
I really have to stop falling for this man, but he makes it so damned hard. Thank God he had to go on the road for nearly a week after our night at the pizza parlor, or I’m pretty sure the “sex isn’t on the table until after Teddy’s wedding” clause would have been ripped to pieces and scattered on the floor.
And we’d probably have banged on top of it…
“Your man is such a sweetheart,” a silky voice murmurs beside me.
I turn to see Frederica, one of the “Makena approved” WAGs she introduced me to earlier, before she and Parker headed home to “catch up on housework,” aka “bone all night.” In an emerald dress that makes her golden skin glow, Frederica is as gorgeous as she is warm and approachable.
She beams as she adds, “He just went out of his way to introduce Dean to the commercial agent he’s been circling for months.”
“Oh, good. I’m so happy to hear that. He really is a great guy.” He is. Too good. I really should have found someone more obnoxious to fake it with.
It’s going to be hard to say goodbye in a few weeks. Or even a couple months.
All the more reason not to get in any deeper once our deal is done.
But there’s no reason to think about that now. I’ve had enough stress the past few days, dealing with fussy indie musicians for the film festival gala, and as my grandmother always says, “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
I smile, leaning back against the now-empty auction table beside Frederica as I ask, “How about you? Having a good time?”
She laughs and gives a little roll of her eyes. “Sure. I mean, I’m not going to complain about a night out with free gourmet food and champagne, but…” She trails off with a shrug of one bare shoulder. “It’s hard when they’re away for the longer trips. The girls miss Dean so much. They’re still too little to understand why Daddy has to go away.”