Page 21 of Look What You Made Me Do

“Hmph!” Daisy grunted. “Speak to me when you’re seventy-two. You know an eight-letter word for storm? Starts with a B?”

“Oh… um.” Simon shot a quick glance at Jake who gave him a don’t-ask-me look. “Um…” He returned his attention to Daisy. “Is it… brouhaha?”

Frowning, Daisy consulted the screen. “Yes!” Tapping it in, she smiled approvingly at Simon.

“You’re a goat, aren’t you?”

“A… goat?” Simon asked as he darted a bewildered glance at Iris.

“Capricorn,” Rosie said, rescuing him. “Your star sign.”

“Oh, right.” He gave a laugh which sounded as weirded out as he looked. “Yes actually, I am.”

“And this is my bestie, Ella,” Rosie continued.

“Ah.” Simon smiled. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Ella returned the smile with a huge one of her own, which annoyed the crap out of Jake. She’d never smiled at him like that. Not even after three goddamn orgasms!

“Don’t believe half of it,” she said.

And then it was Jake’s turn, but Rosie barely got a word out before Simon interrupted. “Good God. You’re Jake Prince.” He extended his hand and pumped Jake’s vigorously. “I’m a big fan. Big fan. It was a tragedy to see you go.”

“Thanks, man,” Jake said as he withdrew his hand, aware everyone was looking at him. The aunts clearly had no clue who he was, Rosie was beaming and Ella looked genuinely surprised that he’d been recognized.

Which was also seriously fucking annoying. He may never have deliberately courted attention and not be playing anymore but he was The Prince.

“Do you miss it?” Simon asked.

A great well of emptiness opened inside Jake at the question. Only every moment of every day. Football had been the only thing he’d ever been any good at and the way it had ended still churned in his gut. But he wasn’t about to open that can of worms.

“Sure.”

“What do you think the Founders’ chances are this season?”

Before Jake could answer, Ella interrupted. And hell, if he could have kissed her for it. “Must be curry time?” she said.

“Yes, yes.” Rosie clapped her hands. “Everyone sit. You too, Jake, I insist.”

“Oh no,” Ella said dismissively, “I think Jake has to get back.”

Her gaze met his, her eyes bugging slightly, a little movement of her head indicating it was time for him to go.

Which was bad fucking luck because, grateful or not for her interruption, he was in a mood now.

And she’d started it.

She’d invited him inside for whatever in hell reason and now he’d fulfilled some purpose he wasn’t aware of, he could just walk his ass out of here?

Nope. He’d leave when he was good and ready.

“Thanks, I think I will.” He held Ella’s gaze as he grabbed a seat. The tightening of her lips was exceptionally satisfying.

“Can I help?” Simon offered.

“Nope.” Rosie dazzled a smile in his direction. “You’re a guest. Sit that cutie patootie down, mister.”

The three women blinked at Rosie as she departed, clearly surprised at the saccharine language. Jake was surprised, too. He hadn’t known Rosie for very long, but he’d seen enough to know patootie probably wasn’t in her normal vocabulary.

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