Page 112 of The Sadist and the Brat

Sadie leaned her forehead against Rebecca’s, just for a moment. “Bitch.”

“Slut,” Rebecca said, and made Sadie laugh. “Come on. We’ve got about half an hour before the meeting is over. I’ll buy you a ginger ale.”

“I’ll take it,” Sadie said as they started out, arm in arm, and hoped half an hour was enough time to pull herself together.

* * * *

Jack walked into the party space with a spring in his step. They’d made quick work of the only new business on the agenda, and their newly elected board president hadn’t seen the point in drawing the meeting out. So he’d gaveled the meeting adjourned, to the gratitude and relief of all in attendance, and Jack was eager to get on with the fun portion of the evening.

“That was the best meeting we’ve ever had,” Nick announced, falling into step beside Jack.

“It was the shortest meeting we’ve ever had,” Jack corrected him.

“Which makes it the best. We should’ve elected James as board president years ago.”

Jack chuckled, scanning the room. It was considerably fuller than it had been when he’d dropped Sadie off forty minutes earlier. “You know he only agreed to run because the alternative was Joel.”

“And thank God he did,” Nick muttered. “It’s bad enough he’s on the board—could you imagine him as president?”

“No,” Jack said. “I can’t.”

“Rebecca would probably refuse to come to parties if he was in charge,” Nick said, keeping his voice low as they moved through the room.

Jack glanced over. “Not a fan?”

“That’s putting it mildly.” Nick shook his head. “You know, when he first started coming to club events, I thought he just needed some direction, maybe some seasoning. But now…”

“He’s gotten worse,” Jack agreed. “Sadie can’t stand him.”

“Not surprised. He asked her to play at the Halloween event, and she handed him his ass,” Nick said bluntly. “He complained to James, said she should be reprimanded for insubordination.”

“You’re kidding.”

“That went nowhere, of course. She was actually fairly polite—though Rebecca was there, and she said the unspokenfuck youwas pretty clear.”

Jack laughed. “I’ll bet.”

Nick shook his head. “If it was anybody else, I’d try talking to him. But that guy—”

“A brick wall,” Jack agreed as they approached the bar. “Save your breath. Do you see Sadie?”

“No, but I see Rebecca,” Nick said. “At least, I think I do. Excuse me, miss, but have you seen my girlfriend?”

Rebecca spun around on the bar stool she was perched on and beamed a smile at Nick. “Hello.”

“Hello, yourself,” Nick said, taking her hands and drawing her off the stool. “What happened to you?”

Rebecca laughed, her ponytail swinging. “I told Sadie you were grumpy because I had to come in work clothes, so she did a little styling.”

“I’ll say,” Nick said with a grin. “Give us a spin, Ms. McBride.”

Rebecca pursed her lips in an exaggerated pout and gave a slow twirl. Jack didn’t know what Rebecca had looked like prior to the makeover, but now, with the seams running up the backs of her legs, the gaping blouse, pouty red mouth and jaunty ponytail, she was secretarial porn come to life.

“Ms. McBride,” Nick said, his voice a low rumble of appreciation.

Jack watched, amused, as Rebecca fluttered her lashes. “Yes, Mr. Saint? Do you need me to come into your office and take dick…tation?”

Nick burst out laughing and grabbed her by the hand. “You bet I do. See you later, pal.”

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