Page 104 of Tempt Me

“Hey, speaking of smart…” Rhiannon looked down. “You were a fool to think I was the leak, but you figured it out in the end. I never thought… Anyway, thanks for sticking to your Jessica Fletcher shit.”

“Um. You’re welcome? But I didn’t do it for you.”

“I know who you did it for.” Her gaze met mine. “We both care about her in different ways. I appreciate what you did for all of us.”

I nodded. “Maybe now we can be friends?”

She snorted. “Friends? I didn’t spit in yoursparkling wine.That’s a start.”

“Fair. Thanks for that. I guess I’ll see you.” Though I probably wouldn’t. I wouldn’t be going back to Jamilow, and the next time Jackson offered to hang out, I’d ask where we were going before I got into his SUV.

“Be sure you get some food. I’m not picking up your drunk ass later.” She pointed at a giant grill, tended by two enormous men.

With a halfhearted smile, I scuffed toward the grill for my next awkward encounter. Not even my mother’s stuffy parties were this torturous.

“Hey, J.J. Hey, Jevin.”

“Nat-a-lie.” Jevin drew out the syllables of my name with an appraising look. “Lookin’ good.”

“Cut that out.” J.J. elbowed his twin in the ribs hard enough to make him grunt. “She’s Mila’s girl.”

“Oh, no, I’m not—”

“I don’t see a ring.” Jevin winked. “She’s fair game until then.”

“That’s just nasty, bro. Natalie.” J.J. smiled at me, and it was heartbreakingly similar to Jamila’s smile. “What can I get you? The best ribs you’ve ever tasted, or a so-so burger from my brother?”

“Get your head out of your ass, J.” This time, it was Jevin’s turn to elbow his twin. “She’s a vegetarian. I got your veggie burger right here, sugar.” He pulled a toasted bun from the grill and slid a patty onto it.

“Sorry. Forgot.” J.J. lifted his Texas Longhorns hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his wrist. “Sides are over there.” He pointed at another table that held serving bowls. “Stay away from the casserole with the potato chips. It’s got chicken in it.”

“Got it. You two doing okay? It was nice of you to come out here for Jamila’s launch.”

“Well, that’s not all we—”

“Yo!” J.J. punched Jevin’s arm. “There goes your mouth again, flapping like a rusted old screen door.” He gave his twin a baleful glare.

“Sorry, man. She’ll find out soon enough.”

“Who’ll find out what?” I looked for Jamila in the clump of people next to the pool. “You aren’t planning a practical joke, are you?”

“There’s an idea.” Jevin rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “Maybe Mila ought to go for a swim.”

I puffed myself up. “You try it and you’re going for a swim. And I don’t think your Air Jordans would like that very much.” I looked pointedly at his spotless vintage sneakers.

“This one’s not messing around.” Jevin raised his spatula. “No funny business. Promise.”

“Thanksgiving’s gonna be fun,” J.J. muttered.

“Go eat that veggie burger before it gets cold,” Jevin said. “And be sure to try the potato salad. It’s our nana’s recipe.”

I trudged toward the table of sides where I spotted the potato salad and dropped a dollop onto my paper plate. I scooped up some salad and a fudgy brownie—I certainly deserved the indulgence after being dragged to Jamila’s against my will—and found a vacant table in the shade of a sycamore.

I spread my napkin in my lap. The potato salad looked good with chunks of potatoes clumped together by a creamy dressing. Something green, celery perhaps, added color. I reached for my fork, but I’d forgotten to pick one up. I scooted my chair back and set my napkin beside my plate.

“Looking for these?” Jamila handed me a clear plastic fork and knife. When I looked up at her, the sun blazed behind her head, its rays spilling out like a crown. She wore her white bikini top with a light, almost transparent shirt and a sarong printed in bright red, orange, and purple.

“Yeah. Thanks.” I took the cutlery from her. Why had she come over? She could have ignored me for the entire party. No, as the hostess, she had to say hi to everyone, including the person who had the wrong kind of feelings for her, the person who’d blown up her world.

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