Page 13 of Wicked Intentions (Wicked Games 3)
“Turns” out, not “turned” out. Which indicates the work is still in progress, but she just said she finished it.
Interesting. I make a vague “hmm” sound and settle my arm around her waist. Our steps fall in sync like we’ve been walking together for years.
When we reach the restaurant, I check in with the hostess. She says the rest of our party is in the bar, so we head over, holding hands.
“Hiya, kids,” I say when we reach them. “This is Angeline.”
I introduce her to Tabby, who’s wearing ponytails and what looks like a turquoise tube sock for a dress, Connor, in his usual all-black ensemble of T-shirt, cargo pants, and boots, and Darcy and Kai. Juanita is nowhere to be seen.
After the introductions are made and everyone has said a friendly hello, I ask Tabby, “Where’s Juanita?”
“She found an MMA match on cable. I left her in front of the TV with Elvis and enough Red Bull and Cheetos to last a lifetime.”
“Elvis?” Angeline asks.
Tabby nods. “The rat she never goes anywhere without.”
When Angeline’s brows lift, Tabby grins. “It’s a long story. I love your dress, by the way.”
“And I love your Tinker Bell tattoo,” Angeline counters, looking at Tabby’s ankle. “She was always my favorite Disney character.”
“Mine, too!” Tabby says, smiling. “She’s badass.”
“But also fragile. She can’t exist unless Peter believes in her. Faith is the only thing that keeps her alive.”
I see it the instant Tabby’s curiosity kicks into gear. If she were a cat, her ears would’ve just pricked and her tail would’ve begun twitching. “All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust.”
Without hesitation, Angeline responds. “Never say goodbye, because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting.”
Tabby claps her hands and hoots. “Oh my God! I think I love you, Angeline!”
I look at Connor. “Brother, you have any idea what’s happening?”
“White girls be crazy, Ryan, you know this,” Darcy says dismissively, and downs the rest of her martini.
“Let’s eat,” says Kai, stroking Darcy’s arm and staring up at her in adoration. “My Häschen needs fuel for later.”
They exchange a pair of truly lascivious smiles. Before the conversation can get any weirder, I motion for the hostess to seat us.
* * *
An hour later, dinner is over, Kai and Darcy are fondling each other under the table, and Tabby and Angeline have become fast friends.
“You do not like Hello Kitty!” pronounces Tabby. She’s been peppering Angeline with questions for the past twenty minutes as Connor and I listened, stealing amused glances at each other.
Angeline nods, swallowing another spoonful of her dessert. She delicately pats her lips with her napkin. “I know you probably think it’s silly, but I was obsessed with her for my entire teenage years. I had this backpack I carried everywhere. It was pink, with little butterflies and flowers—”
“And Kitty was wearing an embroidered kimono,” interrupts Tabby in a low, thrilled voice. “I had the exact same one.”
Angeline blinks. “You like Hello Kitty?”
Tabby pounds both fists on the table and shouts, “I fucking love her!”
They beam at each other.
“Would you two like to get a room?” I ask.
“Don’t hate, Ryan,” Tabby says. Kitty’s worth seven billion dollars a year. What’re you bringing in annually?”
