Page 118 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

Beatrice-Rose looked at me with a smirk on her face. A short and stocky older man with bifocals was holding her arm.

“I don’t believe you’ve met Joe yet. Joe, this is Veronica, Caleb’s…girlfriend.”

“Fiancée,” I corrected.

Her lips curled into a hateful sneer before turning into a delighted smile as she looked at Joe, laying her hand on his arm.

“Joe is one of the

biggest investors in Miranda Inn. I really don’t think the chain could have run as smoothly without you behind it, Joe.”

“Come now, Beatrice-Rose. You flatter me too much.”

“Nonsense.” She batted her lashes at him before shifting her gaze back to me. “I was just telling him I should have pursued a career in ballet. I do have the legs for it. Don’t you think so, Joe?” She shifted her dress to show off a bit of her leg.

“Sure, sweetheart.”

Beatrice-Rose let out a soft giggle. “Such a sweet talker. Joe also owns several lucrative restaurants around the country. Veronica is a professional when it comes to restaurants. Isn’t that right, Veronica?”

“Oh, is that right?” Joe looked at me with polite interest.

There was a glint of mischief in Beatrice-Rose’s eyes as she continued, “She has considerable experience as a waitress, I’ve heard. Isn’t that true?”

Joe frowned at Beatrice-Rose.

“As a matter of fact, it is,” I answered coolly.

Beatrice-Rose’s smile was haughty. “We’re somewhat short on help right now. Be a sweetheart and bring my glass back to the kitchen, won’t you?” she asked sweetly, offering me her half-empty glass.

My hot temper simmered under my skin as I narrowed my eyes at her. I nearly grabbed the glass and threw the contents in her face. But I kept my arms at my sides.

Then I smiled, baring my teeth.

“I’m sure you’re more than capable of doing it yourself, Beatrice-Rose. Why don’t you use those ballerina legs and take your glass back to the kitchen?” I suggested just as sweetly.

Joe choked on his drink. Beatrice-Rose’s face was quickly turning an ugly shade of red.

I didn’t care. I was seeing red. If she thought I would take her insults lying down, she had another think coming.

“Oh, and, Beatrice-Rose?” I said, batting my eyelashes at her. “Try not to copy anyone’s dress while you’re on your way to the kitchen.”

A movement behind her caught my eye, and I nearly cried at the sight of Caleb’s mother staring at me. Watching.

Damn Beatrice-Rose. Damn them all to hell.

This wasn’t my world. I would never fit in. I’d never wanted to.

I turned to leave.

“Veronica, wait!” Beatrice-Rose exclaimed. She grabbed my hand, and my clutch fell to the ground, almost like she had pulled on it. Its contents spilled.

What happened next was reflex. I jerked back, hitting Beatrice-Rose accidentally and spilling her drink on her dress.

I heard her outraged gasp before I snarled at her. I looked to the ground and was sorely tempted to leave my things there, to just get away from her and her drama.

But my phone was lighting up, vibrating. Caleb’s message popped on the screen.

Almost done, Red. Can’t wait to dance with you again.

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