Page 63 of SNOB

Gray smirks, a dimple in his right cheek. “You still have big feels, huh?”

“I also got big fists.” Mac shrugs, casually threatening his friend.

My eyes move between the two Crowns. “Did I miss something?”

“Yeah,” Gray chuckles. “Mac’s jea?—”

“Just tired of this guy’s shit.”

“Ember, you’re like pee in Paris.” Another familiar voice comes from behind me, this one more high-pitched and annoying. “Everywhere.”

Turning around, Hannah sneers in a long white lace dress like she’s a bride seeking revenge. My eyes scan the room for a glass of red wine, hoping to reenact our introduction. “The feeling is mutual.”

“Hannah, do you mind giving us some space?” Mac asks. “Your perfume is choking me. Like your presence.”

A snort comes from Gray as my head whips to Mac. Did… did he just stand up for me?

Hannah blinks. “Are you really picking her over me?” Her eyes wander my outfit, her mouth opening in awe. They move to my neck before they move to Mac’s wrists. “No way… are you two wearing matching jewelry?”

“Ember.”

Mac can’t answer before yet another familiar voice comes from nearby. Despite the crazy amount of land Paradise Hill spans, it’s still a small world.

“Valentino. Great choice.” Charlotte approaches us in a long teal dress, her ears heavy with diamonds. “I would have loved to see this kind of attention to attire at Sun House.” She glances between Mac and me. “If you two have kissed and made up, you can try doing that job again.”

Hannah scoffs and I blink at Charlotte who smiles. Did I just get my job back? Before I can ask, Charlotte waves to someone nearby, her attention drifting.

“Ember, a word.” Mac puts his hand on my lower back and Hannah’s jaw almost falls off. My head lifts higher as he escorts me away from this little reunion. Mac leans into me, his voice in my ear as I try to settle the butterflies. “I see Miss Laval. And the phone.”Mac brings me back to business as I follow his gaze. It’s on a blonde woman with tits as big as her head. They almost tumble out of her tight-fitting dress, her tan making her look fresh off vacation. Her entire appearance contrasts Charlotte’s despite them looking the same age. “She carries that thing around like an urn.”

She dabs her eyes with a black scarf, talking to a younger man in a pinstriped suit. She gestures to Beau’s phone, still in his pink case. Another phone sits in her other hand. I’m assuming it’s hers. With a flip of her hair, she rests her head on the man’s shoulder. He stills, before he taps her back and walks off.

Leaning closer to Mac, he smells sweeter than usual. Is he wearing a new cologne? “Beau said his mom has a thing for?—”

“Young men,” Mac finishes. “We all know.”

She straightens up, her sobs disappearing before she moves to a group of young men. She begins to sob again, pointing to the phone as she rests her head on another young man’s shoulder.

“Is she using Beau to get laid?” I ask.

“That's our way in,” Mac replies, grabbing two drinks from a passing tray.

My wide eyes move to him. “Are you about to hit on Beau’s mom?” He downs both glasses of champagne. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“If she gets her hands on his videos…”

“I know.” My muscles tense thinking of the outcome.

“And you?” He turns to me. “You’re gonna steal that phone. You’re used to stealing right?”

“How do you suggest I steal the phone?” My eyes move to Miss Laval. “She’s clutching that thing like a brick of gold.”

Mac turns to me, blocking my view. “Figure it out, Everett.” He pulls on my necklace, tightening it around my neck. “We’re a team. I do my part, you do yours.” He searches my face before he lets it go, straightening his collar. “Don’t let me down.”

He turns around and heads for Beau’s mom before I’m ready. So I follow his lead, grabbing two passing champagnes of my own. It’s sweeter than anything I’ve tasted before. It’s not like the wine or alcohol Jake has. It’s like candy. Fresh. Refined.

I have another glass while Mac approaches Beau’s mom. He grabs two drinks from a nearby waiter and gives her one, his hand landing on her shoulder. She points at the phone as they engage in conversation. Then Mac tilts his head towards a long hall. She nods, following.

I do too.

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