Page 94 of Over the Moon

I had a migraine because I was watching Richie Rich hit on my woman, and it was pissing me off.

My mother broke out in her favorite song, “Save Me,” by Jelly Roll, and my father sang backup. They were completely off-key, yet everyone at the table watched as if they were seeing Jelly Roll perform live and in person at the dinner table.

I excused myself and went to the bathroom, needing a minute of quiet.

There was a knock on the door, and I cracked it open to see Eloise standing there. Cheeks flushed, goofy smile, and absolutely stunning.

“Lulu and Henley have Sebastian trapped in a long story, and I wanted to check on you,” she whispered. “No one else is paying any attention. They are too enthralled in the live concert.”

I tugged her into the bathroom, pressing her back against the door, before leaning down and kissing her.

“Fuck. I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” I said, after I pulled back.

“I’ve been wanting you to do it all day, you sexy beast of a man.” She poked me in the chest a few times as her words slurred.

“You’re a little tipsy, huh?” I smiled down at her.

“Just a little. I’m not used to having three glasses of wine in one sitting.” She shrugged. “I wanted to sit next to you, but Sebastian motioned for me to take the seat beside him.”

“That preppy bastard is hanging all over you. I can’t stand him or his plaid pants,” I hissed, and her head fell back in laughter.

“I like you, Clark Chadwick.”

“I like you, too,” I said, leaning down to kiss her again.

There was a knock on the door. “Mayday! Mayday!”

I groaned at the sound of Lulu’s voice, reaching for the door and cracking it open. “You beckoned?”

“I know Eloise is in there, but we’re losing Sebastian. He keeps saying he has to go to the bathroom. Henley is trying to hold him off. Your mother is on her second set, and Bridger is getting very impatient about having dessert. Easton is refilling drinks to people who shouldn’t be served, and Rafe thinks he’s a minister now,” Lulu whisper-hissed.

“Fuck.” I stepped back as Lulu pushed inside. “What’s the plan?”

“You leave me in here with Eloise. You go and make it look like you’re coming from a different bathroom and just go back to the table.”

“Got it,” I said, winking at Eloise. “Thanks, Lu.”

“Of course. I left my Superwoman cape at the table. Get out there.” She peeked out the door and waved me on.

I didn’t see Sebastian coming, so I headed for the kitchen and gaped at the scene before me. Bridger was sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen island, with a large chocolate cake and a fork. He looked up mid-bite.

“They’re never serving this shit, and I’m done waiting.” He shrugged before shoving the fork into his mouth.

I reached for a fork in the silverware drawer and pulled up the stool beside him. “I’m done with this night.”

“Yeah, that’s how I feel most days. Welcome to my life,” he said.

I barked out a laugh as Rafe’s voice carried into the kitchen. “Thank you all for breaking bread and singing Jelly Roll songs. It’s been a night to remember of memories being made with both new friends and old friends. Mom, take it away!”

“He’s encouraging this?” I said.

“He sure as shit is. But guess what, brother?” Bridger said, keeping his voice low as he forked another bite of chocolate cake.

“What?”

“No one is suspicious that you’re in a relationship with your physical therapist, aside from your family. So, it looks like this shitshow did it’s job.”

I nodded and took another bite. “It’s not a relationship. We’re just seeing where it goes.”

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