Page 11 of The Spy Who Ghosted Me

I laughed, relieved she wasn’t talking about actual cocktail bombs.

“This isn’t funny. I’m being serious. Your magic doesn’t work on me anymore.”

I tried to keep a straight face, knowing she was lying through her teeth. “I believe you.”

“Now that we have that settled, you can go back to your cabin. I’ll make your excuses.”

I shook my head and walked right past her. “Sorry, that’s not happening.” Whether she liked it or not, she was stuck with me. And I hated to tell her that, depending on how this mission went, more chemical cocktails might be in her future.

Sabrina

I TRIED MY BEST TO walk calmly and naturally into my sister’s over-the-top bridal shower in the ballroom. The decorations might make one think this was the actual wedding reception. It seemed like Lexi’s best friend and maid of honor, Jade, had brought in every peach- and cream-colored rose from this side of the Mississippi for the occasion. The round tables had fancy linens and fine crystal arranged on them. A DJ spun loud country tunes in the corner while several of Lexi’s friends line danced on the dance floor, a professional photographer and videographer catching it all. No doubt my sister would shortly fill her social media accounts with stylized photos in all her wedding colors.

But my focus was on Cash, who was currently in Mama’s grasp near the gift table. It was overflowing with wrapping paper and gift bags, all matching the wedding colors—apparently I’d missed that memo. I looked down at my pink gift bag containing some expensive French perfume and a tasteful negligee. Lexi would probably point out that my bag didn’t coordinate. Oh well. I had bigger problems. Problems like Cash still being able to mix chemical cocktails inside me with barely a touch of his finger. Even more of a problem was the way Mama was wrapping her tentacles around him.

Had my parents not listened to me earlier, shortly after my arrival, when I’d explained to them how he’d left me in France without even a goodbye and had been radio silent for over three years? Where was the loyalty? And where was Mia? I needed her. She and Drew were probably mixing chemical cocktails in the stables. Drew had said he wanted to show her one of the new colts. Likely story.

“Hi, honey,” Daddy said from behind me.

I turned to find him staring wide eyed at the monster bridal shower. It surprised me he’d even come. This wasn’t his sort of thing. Honestly, I thought it was odd that Lexi had invited men to this shindig. Maybe it was sexist, but I guess I was more of a traditionalist when it came to this sort of thing. Where were the silly shower games like making tissue paper wedding dresses to wear?

I furrowed my brow, not exactly happy with Daddy. He’d egged Cash on by asking him to help me with my luggage, and he hadn’t thrown him off the property when I told him what Cash had done. So maybe that was against the law and better business practices, and would have caused a scene, but I needed Cash to leave. Something wasn’t kosher about him or the way I wanted to grab his well-fitted shirt and pull him to me for a heart-stopping kiss.

Daddy chuckled at my obviously perturbed state and put an arm around me. “Sabrina, my love.”

Even though I wasn’t all that happy with him, I rested my head on his shoulder. “Why?” was all I could ask. I knew Daddy would know what I meant.

“Because he brings out a fire in you I’ve never seen.”

“Are you saying I’m dull?”

“Not at all, though you’ve always had a reserved nature, even when it comes to relationships. But take it from your old man: there can be no reservations when it comes to love. And if you don’t bring out a little fire in each other, it’s not a relationship worth having.”

I popped my head off his shoulder. Of course I was a little fired up, even if it made me feel unlike myself, which I didn’t exactly enjoy. “He left me. I don’t think that’s a good man.”

Daddy’s gaze drifted toward Mama and Cash, chumming it up. “Perhaps you’re right, but there is something about him. I’m not saying what he did was right, but I see a good man in there.”

I slowly turned my head toward my father in disbelief. “I’m shocked at you, Daddy.”

Daddy smiled. “Darlin’, I’ll try to hate him if you want me to.”

“I just want him to leave.”

“Hmm. Well, that should probably tell you something.”

“What?” I begged to know.

“I think you’ll figure it out.” He kissed my cheek and walked toward Mama and Cash.

I felt like my life and my grasp on reality were spinning out of control. Daddy was supposed to be my sanity, not adding to the craziness of it all. Here I thought it would only be my sister and Mama bringing on the drama, but I was adding some of my own. I supposed I could just let well enough alone and ignore Cash, just like he’d ignored me. That sounded like the thing to do, except ... there was the matter of all the strange things that happened around him and then his sudden reappearance. Which reminded me—I needed a picture of him.

Slyly, I slipped my phone out of my dress pocket, and when I was sure Cash was in deep conversation with my parents, I snapped a few pictures of him. Dang, did he look good. He’d changed into a classic plaid shirt with a brown jacket to go with his I’m-a-demigod jeans.

“Sabrina,” Soren said my name, startling me.

I clumsily shoved my phone in my pocket as if he’d caught me doing something wrong. “Soren,” I said nervously, taking a step away from him.

Soren noted my reaction, and his left brow quirked. “Have I done something to make you uncomfortable?”

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