Page 36 of Bounty
Luckily, Stretch spoke up, forestalling further interference.
“Cash, stop being a goddamn jackass and chill out.” Sighing, he gave me another dirty glare before looking at Effie and Daria. “Sorry, ladies. We’ll go now.”
He grabbed Cash’s hand and dragged him away.
Ophelia’s face was fully red. “I’m sorry.”
As she hurried off, I gave her a thumbs up.
Once they walked out of the ballroom, I released a disbelieving laugh.
“That was some bullshit,” I said with a shake of my head.
“Some people have no goddamn sense.” Effie looked at her mother. “You all right, Mom?”
“I’m fine, sweetie. I wish he had told me his ideas. I’m sure you know Ophelia won’t introduce you to Sloane now.” Dariashrugged. “If they were telling the truth. I mean, what are the odds.”
Effie’s shoulders slumped, but she nodded. “You’re right, Mom.”
Daria placed a hand on her chest. “But Cash was so sexy protecting Ophelia. Oh, swoon! That’s how Moose would act over Darcy, so I’ll use this as inspiration.”
Despite myself, I studied Effie. I wanted her opinion on the matter. Would she want me to be so protective over her? Or would she tear into me, as she’d begun to tear into that prick?
Fuck.
No, I couldn’t think like that. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would ever become of me and Effie. She was a good fuck, and that’s it. Nothing more. Absolutely nothing more.
Our friendship just had me confused.
Daria’s smile returned and a giggle escaped her. “If I’m honest, I was a little jelly. Who wouldn’t want a hot guy getting all possessive over them?”
Effie wrinkled her perfect nose. “Eww, Mom.”
“Oh, hush. I’m not talking about your father. He’ll never make a scene like that in public. In private, though—”
“Oh my gosh, I’m not listening!” Effie screeched, slapping her hands over her ears. “Lalalala!”
Daria laughed, and I couldn’t help but join in at the childish display.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, darling,” Daria said when her daughter dropped her hands. She glanced at her phone, humming. “It’s nearly lunchtime. Why don’t you two grab a bite to eat?”
Fuck, yes. That would allow me time to speak to Effie, to clarify what I said. I liked her—really fucking liked her—but there was a list of reasons why we’d never work.It’s not you,it’s mewas a cliché route to take, but in this case, it was pure honesty.
“Ok—”
“I’m not hungry, Mom,” Effie interrupted, suddenly tense. “You and Slice go. I’ll man the table.”
Traffic to her table hadn’t been that heavy for the past twenty minutes. Not that Daria noticed Effie’s smokescreen.
“Well, okay.” She stood from her seat behind the table and looked at me. “Slice—”
“I’ll wait.” After today, I was sure Effie would block me, ensuring we’d never clear the air. “I’m not that hungry, either.”
“Aww, shucks, looks like I’m eating alone.” Daria sighed, giving me puppy dog eyes, or at least attempting to. “Come keep me company?”
Effie looked at her mother as if she’d grown two heads, and I found myself unable to say anything. Because, shit, for someone who claimed to love their husband, she was always a little too flirty. Alternatively, she could be trying to lure me away to talk to me about her other daughter, Bassie. That didn’t interest me in the slightest, because it wasn’t Bassie I wanted, but her sister.
“You wouldn’t want fans to miss their favorite authorandMoose, would you?” I asked, praying the question sent her away.
