Page 5 of Scarlett and the Big Bad Billionaire
Military. I knew it.Those were special ops pseudonyms if I’d ever heard them.
“How about it, ladies?” the short guy asked. “Can we buy you another round?”
Maddie glanced at me and took in my slight head shake and forbidding glare.
“Thanks, but I’m not drinking obviously, and we were about to call it a night.” With a sympathetic glance in my direction, she added, “It’s been a long day.”
Looking at her pitying expression, I got a premonition of an even more depressing sight—the empty honeymoon suite that awaited me when I left this barstool. I wondered if anyone had thought to tell housekeeping to skip the whole flower petals on the bedspread thing.
“Actually… I think I just got a second wind,” I said and raised the Ouzo martini Tom had just slid past Maddie toward my waiting hand. “Anyone want to make a toast?”
Sharkbait raised his glass.
“Here’s to the times we’ll never remember with those we’ll never forget. Now who wants to dance?”
CHAPTERTWO
DESIGNATED DRIVER
Gray
Three martinis and counting—and Iwascounting since she didn’t seem to be.
It was pretty obvious the Tom Cruise wannabe behind the bar had his eye on the knockout in the red dress, and he was the king of the generous pour.
If he came near her again with that bottomless Ouzo bottle, I was going to drop him.
No, red-dress wasn’t my responsibility, but I was the DD for my squad tonight—might as well add her to the list.
Someonehad to look out for her. Her sister, who appeared to be about eight months pregnant and dead on her feet, was apparently about to jump ship.
“Joey keeps texting asking where I am. Trina threw up from eating too much cake at the reception,” she said, appearing flustered. “Apparently it’s everywhere—he said it was like The Exorcist—flower girl version. And I have to get up at five a.m. for our flight home. Please let’s just go.”
Red hugged her and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Go. I’m fine. I’ve been telling you for an hour… just go to bed. I love you. I love Joey. I love Trina.”
The pregnant woman had groaned and looked heavenward as if searching for patience or maybe superhuman strength so she could pick up her sister and carry her out of here.
“I’ll look after her,” I offered. “I’m the designated driver for my group tonight—well, actually the designated car-service caller since we don’t have a rental. One of us always stays sober to look out for the rest when we’re out together. I can keep an eye on your sister as well until she’s ready to go back to her room.”
The woman gave Red a glance then turned back to me with an exasperated expression. “She’s not usually like this. In fact, I’veneverseen her like this. Today was—”
“Maddie…” came a warning voice from her sister.
“…a very bad day,” Maddie finished. “I’ve realized since becoming a mother there are three things you can’tmakeanother person do—sleep, eat, and go potty. Now I’ve got a new one—go home before they’re willing to. I’m afraid she’ll stay till the bar closes.”
“I have some bad news for you. This bar never closes.” I shrugged. “It’s Mykonos.”
Finally, Maddie had given up and left after taking a picture of my driver’s license and making me swear on my mother’s life I’d see her sister safely back to her room and/or the ER, whichever seemed more appropriate at the end of the night.
My bet was on the stomach pump and IV fluids. “No problem. I’ll make sure she gets there safely,” I’d promised.
Now, observing Red Dress swaying on the small dancefloor, I tapped Gandalf on the shoulder.
“Cutting in.”
“What? Why?”
“Don’t argue with the DD.” He frowned but walked away and went back to the bar, allowing me to take his spot as Red’s dance partner.
