Page 50 of Inviting Trouble
“I’ve been with men on my terms,” Charlotte said.
“Oh, that’s what I do,” Mad said.
“I used to eat my way through heartache,” Charlotte said. “And then I finally said fuck it, what am I doing one hundred pounds overweight over some jerk. I got a personal trainer, changed my eating habits, and got so into it I became a personal trainer myself.”
“Wow, that’s so cool,” Mad said, reaching back for a fist bump. Charlotte bumped her. “I never woulda guessed it. You’re so trim and strong.”
“Damn right,” Charlotte said.
“See, isn’t this great girl-bonding time?” Hailey said. “Nobody minds the tiny car, right?”
“Next we’ll be braiding each other’s hair,” Lauren put in.
They all laughed.
“All I can say is don’t make it easy on Park,” Charlotte said. “In fact, make yourself scarce at home so when you do show up looking hawt as hell, he’ll sit up and take notice.”
“She’s good,” Hailey said. “But remember you want to keep wearing pretty clothes and doing your hair. You don’t want him to see you as the same old Mad.”
“And tell Ty to fuck off,” Charlotte said.
“No one tells Ty to fuck off,” Mad said. “He’s a black belt. Serious muscles. Have you seen the man?”
“What’s he gonna do?” Charlotte asked with a snort. “Kick Park’s ass?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Mad said.
“When’s he go back to California?” Charlotte asked.
Mad lifted one shoulder up and down. “I don’t know. Probably after the New Year.”
“Then don’t worry about him,” Charlotte said. “If he gives you and Park a hard time, you come to me.”
At the hard tone in Charlotte’s voice, Mad turned to look at her. “And what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to level the playing field,” Charlotte said ominously.
Mad got a chill. That girl was seriously fierce.
The remaining hours passed quickly as they talked about the wedding and Claire and Jake’s honeymoon and where they’d each like to go for a honeymoon. Just before they got to Lauren’s apartment, Lauren confessed guiltily that she’d jumped ahead and finished readingThe Princess Bride, staying up late last night to read it.
“Lauren!” Hailey exclaimed. “You know we always read chapter one together.” That was a book club tradition now. Hailey liked them to experience the story as a group from the start.
“Sorry,” Lauren said, not looking too sorry. “But it was so good!”
“Okay,” Hailey said. “Just wait on the movie until Claire can join us.”
“It’ll be tough, but I’ll try,” Lauren said.
“Swear it,” Hailey said.
“Fine,” Lauren said, all cranky like. “I swear.” Clearly she wanted to jump ahead, but they all knew she’d never break a promise.
After Hailey dropped off Lauren and then Charlotte at her house near the edge of Clover Park, she headed to the downtown area of Clover Park.
“Uh, you still have to drop me off,” Mad said. She lived in Eastman in the opposite direction.
“Do you mind stopping by Ludbury House with me?” Hailey’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, making her fingers white. “I got a call this morning that there was a break-in on Christmas. I need to look around and report on what’s missing.”
