Page 177 of The Baby Bargain
Forest stares at Skye like he's lost in thoughts of stripping her naked.
Maybe he is.
He mumbles some comeback to Wes, but it's more vowel than word. His eyes stay on Skye until a familiar voice interrupts.
"Hi." Ariel pushes through a happy couple—Princess Leia and Han Solo. Shit, that's Iris and Walker.
I nodhey, but they don't notice. They're too busy dancing toMonster Mash.
"Damn, Ariel. Didn't know you were packing that kind of heat." Wes winks.
Ariel blushes. "I, um… it was the only thing I had lying around." She gathers her arms behind her back, pushing her chest forward.
Fuck, she looks good in that purple bikini top.
She's not wearing a red wig, but between the shiny shell bikini top and the scale-print green skirt, she's every part the little mermaid.
Her pale skin glows under the blacklight.
Her dark eyes stay on Wes.
She's still in her glasses.
Still the Ariel who gushes over comic books and mint leaves and chai lattes.
"You gonna let your sister walk around like that?" Wes nudges Forest.
Finally, he pries his eyes from Skye. Turns to Ariel. Frowns. "You're wearing that?"
She rolls her eyes. "I'm twenty-four."
"Still…" His voice drops to a protective older-brother tone.
"She probably needs to get laid." Wes offers Ariel his hand. "I'm a great wingman. Give me your top three traits, and we'll go."
Her gaze flits to me for a split second. "No, I'm okay."
Wes raises a brow. "Ariel, babe, you have the look."
"That is my sister," Forest says.
"You think your sister is a virgin?" Wes scoffsokay, sure."Maybe you can't see it, with your hang-ups. But Ariel obviously—"
"I'm actually good, Wes. Thanks though." She pushes her glasses up her nose. "I know your pushiness is your way of helping."
Forest chuckles.
Wes lets it roll off his back. "You change your mind; you know where to find me." He nods to his girlfriend, wishes us goodbye, leaves.
Music and conversation fill the silence. There's all this space between me and Ariel. It feels obvious. Like anyone can see the severed tie between us.
"I should mingle." I motion to the couch, hoping it's a clear enoughmeet me later.
Ariel nods.
"You can't mingle until we mock you more." Forest motions for his sister to come closer. "Doesn't he look ridiculous?"
"I don't know. Miserable yet charming martyr with a lust for violence suits Chase." Ariel's lips curl into a half smile.
