Page 57 of Never Kiss and Tell

I smile and stick out my hand. “Yes, Bailey Carpenter. You have a beautiful home.”

She fans herself with one of those elegant hand fans that you only see in old movies and daintily takes my hand. “Yes, thank you. We just knew it would be the perfect place to hold Andi’s bridal shower.”

“This is our friend, Lionel,” I say, gesturing to Lionel who looks like he’s stepped straight into the viper’s den.

“Oh, hello,” Camille says, not offering her hand. I get the sense that this is something Lionel’s used to because he doesn’t even flinch. “I don’t suppose you two would be dating?”

“Oh, no,” I laugh, but Lionel cuts me off with something greater.

“We play for the same team.” It takes a moment, but once realization crosses over Camille’s face, I can see she doesn’t like it.

“Oh, well.” She fans herself harder, her gaze searching around the party for anyone better to talk to. “I must be off; I believe my sister is looking for me. It was very nice to meet you both,” she calls over her shoulder before disappearing into the throng of women.

“Why do you let people treat you that way?” I ask, taking a large drink from my champagne glass.

“You don’t think I haven’t dealt with that my entire life?” Lionel asks, cocking a brow at me.

“It’s just not right,” I murmur, as the gate opens and a little old lady steps through with her arm around Andi’s. This must be Mawmaw. “You’re still a person. A good one, at that.”

Lionel chuckles and leads me to one of the tables in the center of the garden. “I’m glad you think so,cheré.”

“Guys, I want you to meet my Mawmaw. Mawmaw, this is Bailey and Lionel. Bailey is my best friend I told you about from California and you’ve met Lionel at the restaurant.”

The first thing I notice about Mawmaw is the bright pink lipstick and perfectly curled hair. The next thing is the spitfire attitude.

“You should marry her, instead,” Mawmaw says, jabbing her thumb at me and raising her brows.

“Mawmaw!” Andi laughs, helping her to sit down in the chair beside me. “You behave over here. I’ll go get you some punch.”

“Better get me liquor if I have to deal with that aunt of yours,” Mawmaw says, huffing as she turns back to face me. “I don’t care much for parties.” She shakes her head. “Especially ones with no alcohol.”

“I can get you a glass of champagne,” Lionel chirps.

“I mean real alcohol. How else are you supposed to put up with family?”

I laugh, nodding in agreement.

“That damned Camille has done it again,” she says, lookingaround her. “She’s turned something that was meant for someone else into her own party.”

I can’t argue with her. Camille is surrounded by women, praising what looks to be a rose bush at the front of the garden.

“I never liked her, you know?” Mawmaw says, lowering her voice and leaning toward me. “Her son is a delinquent. One of those hood rats.”

“Tell me more, Mawmaw,” Lionel jokes, finishing his glass.

She eyes him. “You don’t want him. He’s missing one of his front teeth because he broke into the house of an old veteran. Pretty ugly now.”

I’ve decided I like Mawmaw.

“Now, you’re staying next to Charlie, aren’t you?” Mawmaw says, raising her eyebrows.

Shit. I’ve done a great job of putting last night out of my mind up until this point. The hickey on my neck that Charlie left burns like it’s a sin, searing me from the inside out.

“Yes.”

“Now, your grandson is quite the looker, Mawmaw,” Lionel interjects.

“He is. I wish he would settle down. Are you single Bailey?”

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