Page 96 of Simon Says

“No,” Simon said. “You’re not responsible for what your ex might do.”

“Then I’ll just go home.” Dakota reached for the coffeepot, found it empty, and slumped in disappointment. She needed more caffeine. “If I’m not here, the problems won’t be here. End of story.”

Ignoring most of what she’d said, Simon pointed out, “That was the second pot.”

“You’re keeping count?”

“Dakota does like her java.” Barber saluted Simon with his mug. “We have that in common.”

Simon nodded at the jelly jar on the table. “You both like your sugar, too.”

Because Simon’s kitchen didn’t boast any cookies or other sweet treats, she and Barber had chowed down several pieces of toast and jelly with their coffee.

Simon drank water.

His eating and drinking habits might be the biggest obstacle to her comfort when visiting him.

Dakota no sooner had that thought than Bonnie roused herself. She looked around the table at everyone. Except for her bloodshot eyes, she looked beautiful. She finger-combed her long, dark hair away from her face and over her shoulders. With determination bright in her expression, she stumbled over to stand by Simon’s chair.

Simon glanced up at her.

Barber looked over his coffee mug at her.

Dakota considered throwing the empty carafe at her.

Now that Bonnie had everyone’s attention, she pointed a finger at Dakota. “You’re des-pic-able.”

She barely got the word out, and Dakota yawned.

“Bonnie,” Simon warned. “Don’t start.”

Bonnie put a hand on his bare shoulder, either to caress him or to help balance herself. “Iz all right, Simon. She haz to know that you’re in trainin’ for a very important fight.”

Simon looked at Dakota, but said nothing.

Bonnie curled her lip in Dakota’s direction. “Gettin’ involved with someone likeherjeopardizes everythin’ you’ve worked for.”

“Don’t worry about it, Bonnie.”

That’s it?Dakota thought. That was Simon’s idea of defending her? Not that she needed him to defend her, but he could have done a better job of it.

Dakota straightened in her chair.

Smoothing her hand over Simon’s shoulder to his neck, Bonnie began massaging him. “You need someone who understands wha’ you do.”

“Dakota understands.” He smiled at her. “Don’t you, honey?”

Dakota’s eyes narrowed. She’d about had enough of Bonnie.

“If she understood,” Bonnie insisted, “she wouldn’t be here.”

“I invited her.”

Dakota could feel Barber’s amusement, the jerk.

“You’re a man,” Bonnie declared, excusing Simon of any responsibility. “But you barely know her. It iz incredible that she woul’ spen’ the night with you already.”

Barber choked on his coffee, wheezed for breath, and coughed out a loud, obviously forced, laugh.

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