Page 76 of Buckled in Barbwire

Bianca thrusts her hand between us. “Um, hello? We’re thirsty.”

He blinks from whatever fantasy is playing in his mind, swinging his focus to my friend. “Hi, Bee. Back from your trip?”

“I was in here yesterday and you didn’t notice.” She flutters her lashes.

“Ah, sorry about that.” He scrubs at the back of his neck.

“It’s okay to have favorites, but we’re on a mission to spill secrets and alcohol would be handy.”

Tyler’s attention returns to me while he begins mixing our usual drinks. “I’d heard you got hitched. Glad to see that’s just a rumor.”

A lump in my throat makes it difficult to form words. “Umm—”

“And why is that?” Bianca cuts in, her concentration fixed on something behind me.

The bartender pours our cocktails into chocolate-drizzled glasses and slides them in front of us. “Maybe I’ll finally gather the courage to ask you out.”

“Oh,” I breathe. In a fluid motion, I pick up my martini and get gulping. The smooth flavor does little to take the edge off. “That’s not a great idea, Ty.”

He leans on the bar, bringing us closer. “Why not?”

“It’s… complicated.”

Heavy footsteps approach, almost loud enough to quiet the pounding in my ears. “I’d reconsider hitting on my wife if you’re a fan of breathing.”

“The party pooper committee has arrived.” Bianca scowls at me, but looks downright homicidal when she glances at Colton. “And he brought reinforcements to stand guard. How typical.”

Paisley swivels on her stool, almost toppling off in her haste to face me. “What are you doing here?”

The truth is that I can’t stay away from her. When my sister drove off with my wife in the car, I was compelled to follow. There was no stopping me. That blistering ache transformed into blind fury when I saw the bartender try to steal what’s mine. He’s lucky to still be standing and wisely scurries off like the vermin he is.

The urge to punch him subsides slightly until I take another glance at Paisley’s naked finger. “Where are your rings?”

“I took them off.”

“Why?”

“Theydon’t mean anything.”

Fire bursts in my veins. “Bullshit. You’re my wife, Mrs. Benson.”

“Say it louder. The folks in the back booth might’ve missed it.” Her eyes roll in that general direction. “I don’t need diamonds on my finger to prove I’m a contractual obligation. This sham has spread far and wide, just as you intended.”

“The bartender thought it was a rumor.” I stab my finger at the guy who’s brave enough to test the limits. If my glare could spit nails, he’d be pinned to the wall.

“And he’s been swiftly corrected. See how that works?”

“It’s not always that simple.”

“It really is,” she insists. “You just choose to do what’s best for your scheme. Is it lonely at the top?”

“Twinkles,” I sigh.

She crosses her arms, staring me down. “What else are you hiding?”

“Nothing.” But then I think better of it and turn to my sister. “I told Paisley that I’d put Echo on the market if she didn’t marry me.” My focus boomerangs to my wife. “I’d never sell that horse. It was just a ploy to get you to agree.”

Bianca’s jaw drops. “The fuck?”

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