Page 573 of Dark Love

Let’s get this over with.

***

“Wow, Prue you look amazing.” Imogene gives me a hug. “That’s your color.”

“Thanks.” Warm tones work well with my complexion. “I can’t believe you dragged Payne here.”

“Imogene didn’t have to drag me. I wanted to come.” Payne snakes an arm around Imogene’s waist.

She leans into his side. “More like he wanted to come keep an eye on you since Vex couldn’t be here to protect you himself.”

“And to eat. That barbeque smells wonderful.”

The combo of tangy but sweet barbeque sauce blends well with the brisket that is almost done smoking.

There’s Mom making a beeline towards me. “Gotta go mingle.” I rush off to hide in the throngs of people.

Hope finds me at a picnic table that just kind of showed up by the fence. “Are you hiding?”

“Yeah.” There’s no sense in pretending not to be. “My mom is trying to introduce me to every single man in the neighborhood.”

The kind, sweet child laughs at my pain.

“Wait until you’re old enough.”

“My dad would literally kill someone that tried to date me before I turn thirty.” She pouts.

“Trade you?”

We both laugh.

“So why isn’t Vex here? Your mother wouldn’t be trying to fix you up if your boyfriend was sitting next to you.”

“Because he’s Vex.”

“Ahh.”

Does she really understand? She’s part of a mafia family.

What happened to my nice, quiet life?

Gabe saunters over. “Hope, got anyone for me to beat up today?”

“Prue doesn’t like fighting at her parties.”

Gabe looks down at me. “Well, hello again.” He slides the empty chair closer to mine and sits down.

A flirt and a fighter. “Hello.”

“Uncle Gabe, she has a boyfriend.” Hope wrinkles her nose at him.

“Don’t see him around. Are you the type to lose your mind over a football player?” Gabe gives me a practically lecherous look.

I try hard not to laugh, but fail at it.

His entire body relaxes. “My heart just broke, never to be fixed again.” Gabe raises a hand to wave some friends over.

“That’s very apparent. So, do you actually play football?”

---