Page 111 of Gin and Lava

Mason:You told him we’re a fake couple?

Naomi:No. I told him to lay off. Hopefully, he won’t be an asshole to you anymore.

Mason:By “won’t be an asshole” you mean he’s been

murdered and you need help disposing of the body. Right?

Naomi:Ha, Ha.

Mason:I dread asking what you said to him … about me.

Naomi:Then don’t ask.

Don’t ask? That sounds bad.

My stomach is squirming, but when I look up at the bar, Brad is slammed. He tosses ahelp meglance my way, eyeing the tourists pouring in the door. Definitely a cruise ship in town. I snag my waitress Amber and ask her to help Brad while I call for reinforcements, noticing no one has answered my texts yet.

“I’ll be back out in a minute to help Brad,” I say, “I’ll call Loraine and Mya.” Amber nods as I hurry back to my office, catching Naomi’s next text as I multitask.

Naomi:Was there good news?

Mason:Yes, butthings are crazy here.

Naomi:We could always come to you.

Mason:For tits and tiki drinks? Trifecta would have an aneurysm.

Naomi:Maybe. But Shauri would get a kick out of it, and she’s the bride.

Mason:What the bride wants, the bride gets.

Naomi:I’m seriously considering it.

Mason:I’m always happy to see your smiling face … and to take your friends’ money.

Naomi:How chivalrous.

Mason:Don’t use big words that absolutely don’t apply to me.

Naomi:That was sarcasm. My dry wit doesn’t translate over text?

Mason:It’s not you DRY that I want.

Naomi:One track mind.

Mason:Guilty.

Mason:If you do show up, call Connor and Ned. I need some reinforcements with that gang.

Naomi:No Arie and Olivia?

Mason:Arie hates me. But invite the girls if you want.

Naomi:You still haven’t told me the good news.

Mason:I need to borrow some of your jewelry.

Naomi:For?

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