Page 34 of Bragg's Match

“There’s no need to discuss the profit,” Sage interrupts. “I want to discussthat.”

What’s she talking about? I glance around the room but everyone is staring at me.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Someone’s got the gossip gals’ attention,” Ashlyn sings.

“Stupid Project Cub,” I mutter. I was hoping the gossip gals would forget about us. I should be so lucky.

“What’s going on?” Mrs. Bragg asks.

Oh great. I feel my face warm. We’re doing this in front of Brody’s mom? Awesome. This is exactly how I want to meet the mom of the person I’m living with. Whoa! Hold the phone! I’m not living with Brody. He’s staying in my house because he has nowhere else to live. Nothing more.

Except we’re sharing a bed. But not because I want to! Shit. I’m lying to myself. I don’t want to want to share a bed with Brody. There. Those words aren’t a lie.

“Rumor has it your son and Soleil have been sleeping in the same bed,” Cayenne says.

“Drink!” Ashlyn shouts and I snap my teeth at her.

Petal sighs. “Project Cub is my favorite.”

“I’m glad my book recommendation worked out for you,” Feather adds.

I jump to my feet. “We’re not sleeping together.”

“Why not? You’re gorgeous. My son has a crush on you. Go for it,” Mrs. Bragg says.

“Mrs. Bragg,” I begin.

“It’s Daisy.”

“Daisy, your son and I aren’t together.”

“But you slept in the same bed last night,” Clove claims.

“Drink!” I pinch Ashlyn this time since snapping my teeth at her has no effect. Honestly, nothing I do will probably deter her, but I’m not giving up.

I narrow my eyes on Clove. “How do you know Brody and I slept in the same…” I clear my throat before I use the word bed. “How do you know where Brody slept last night?”

Peace growls as he gets to his feet. “I told you if I caught you peeking in any windows again, I’d confiscate your binoculars.”

Sage bats her eyelashes at him. “But you didn’t catch us.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “How else do you know they slept in the same bed?”

“Dri—” Ashlyn’s husband slams a hand over her mouth before she can finish speaking. I nod to him in thanks.

Sage snorts. “Because Soleil only has one bed currently in her house.”

“And you know this how?”

“Why else would Brody order a new bed?” Cayenne asks.

“Unless they started the other bed on fire,” Petal answers. “You should really let the fire department put out fires. They’re the experts. Plus, the firemen are pretty to look at.”

I moan and bury my face in my hands.

Brody stands and wraps an arm around me. “I appreciate everyone’s concern over how many be— places to sleep Soleil has in her house, but our relationship is no one’s business but ours.”

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