Page 155 of Hateful Games

“Booked.”

“How’s the business going?” Bianca had to uproot her entire company after moving back here. On top of that, her conniving mother didn’t make it easy by spreading false rumors to her clients. Downright telling a few to not hire her. It was worrisome because her mother has a lot of sway among the rich housewives. “Your mom still causing trouble?”

“Thankfully, no.” Pausing the recipe playing in the background, Bianca meets my gaze with a small smirk. “Dash kept messing with her kitty parties and luncheons by blacklisting her from all the restaurants until she backed down.”

“Atta lover boy.”

Laughing, she turns to the stove and sets the pressure cooker on medium flame. “So, we need to leave it for three to four whistles.”

“That was quick.”

“Let’s hope it turns out okay.”

“Wanna swim until then?”

“I can’t swim in this.” She points at her shorts.

“You can borrow my bikini bottoms while keeping the shirt on,” I suggest since my top will obviously not fit her ample breasts.

Bianca thinks over and shrugs. “Cool.”

The prospect of lounging in the pool gets us so excited we forget about the dish left on the stove or that we wouldn’t be able hear the sound from outside. Maggie decides to wake up and trots over to greet Bianca.

She picks her up and swims with her in the pool. “I hate that she’s growing older. It’s like we got her only yesterday.”

“Don’t remind me,” I reply with a sad pout. “I’ll cry.”

“Is Bunny giving hell to Nova?”

“Yes. He kicked Nova out of the bedroom on our wedding night.” We both burst out laughing. “It’s pissing Nova off. He’s always scowling at Bunny. Pretty sure he’s low-key scared of him.”

She brushes a wayward tear away from chortling too hard. It turns into a scream when both of us hear a loud ear-piercing beeping noise coming from inside. Our heads snap toward the kitchen window just as the fire sprinkler goes off.

Our gazes meet and we gasp. “The cooker.”

We dart inside. My dogs right behind us to see what the fuss is about. Bianca dives for the stove while I switch the fire alarm off. But we’re already drenched. So is all the furniture. I stare in horror at the mess we swore we wouldn’t make.

“Well, shit,” curses Bianca. “It’s all burnt.”

“Oh, you think?” I taunt.

“Guess I need more lessons.”

“Lessons?” I huff. “You need to be banned from kitchens everywhere.”

Throwing the burnt pot into the sink, she mumbles confidently, “Don’t worry. I have a backup plan.”

I’m about to ask if Iris has changed her mind when from behind us, a loud and enraged voice booms, “What the hell is going on here?”

Bee and I let loose twin scared yelps and whip around to face the new arrivals. We find two pairs of baffled eyes boring into us.

Nova and Dash.

Man, if they both aren’t so stealthy. I didn’t even hear their footsteps approaching.

Dressed in sharp suits and equally tall and imposing, they make an intimidating pair. They must’ve come straight from the office and look none too pleased. And who the hell invited Dash?

Nova appears pissed while a stoic Dash has his impassive gaze locked on his fiancée. His jaw grinds the longer he stares at her. I chance a glance at Bianca and she’s looking anywhere but at him.

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