Page 36 of Inviting Trouble
“Get back in there, tiger,” Hailey said.
“He left,” Mad said.
“He’ll be back,” Charlotte said. “It’s early.”
“Just keep it up and be nice,” Hailey said. “And for heaven’s sake, stop curling your lip.”
“Nice, nice, nice,” Mad muttered. “Maybe we should send Lauren over there.”
“Where is Lauren?” Hailey asked, looking around. “Aww, she’s holding your niece.”
Mad looked over to where Lauren was sitting in a chair with Viv curled in her lap, sound asleep, her head leaning against Lauren’s shoulder. She wondered where Alex was.
“Which one of your brothers is a good dancer?” Charlotte asked. “I love to dance.”
“Slow or fast?” Mad asked.
“Fast.”
“None of them.”
“Slow.”
“Probably Jake or Josh. They won’t step on your toes.”
“Hello, beautiful,” Ty crooned, holding his hand out to Ally. “Would you like to dance?”
Ally tittered and took his hand.
Mad stood there with her friends, watching the dance floor. She knew the minute Park returned. He found her dad at the far end of the room, gazing out at the ocean. Her dad turned and clapped a hand on Park’s shoulder. They had a tight bond and she was glad for that, Park needed it. She wouldn’t ask him to dance again, she decided. He had to ask her. But he didn’t. Instead she stood there as dance after dance, Ty came up and asked each of her friends to dance. Every single one except Charlotte. In fact, he went out of his way to look at Charlotte and then ask someone else to dance. Moron.
Charlotte pointedly ignored Ty, instead focusing on coaching Mad, with Hailey enthusiastically agreeing. “Let’s take your flirting to the next level,” Charlotte said. “Touch yourself and it’ll make him think about touching you.”
“Myself?” Mad asked.
Charlotte demonstrated by lifting her breasts, smoothing her hands down her sides, and touching her neck.
“She’s right,” Hailey said.
“Look up at him too,” Charlotte said. “Guys love that.”
“I have to look up at him,” Mad said. “He’s taller.” She remembered how Park always favored petite pretty women. They always seemed so delicate and girly. She wasn’t sure she could ever be girly enough for him.
“Go now,” Hailey urged when she saw Park had moved to sit with Josh.
“No, not now,” Mad said. “Josh will ruin it.”
“I’ll distract Josh,” Hailey said, wiggling her fingers at him. Josh ignored her.
“Forget it,” Mad said. “I’m not ready. I need another drink.”
“No more drinks,” Hailey said. “You’ll look sloppy drunk.”
“I’ve only had two glasses of champagne,” Mad protested. “That’s nothing.”
“Fine,” Hailey said. “I’ll get you one glass of wine and that’s it.” She left.
Ty returned, looked between Mad and Charlotte, and asked Mad to dance. Charlotte bristled at her side.
