Chapter 9 #2
“Like I just said, they don’t call me Talia Robber for no reason.
Emphasis on robber. When I want a man, he is mine.
I say to women quite openly that they should just be prepared to lose their man if I want him.
Don’t think you’ve got a man that can’t be taken from you,” Talia says, coquettishly licking her lips before sipping her glass of champagne.
“Because just as easily as you get them, I can take them. I’m a robber of the heart. ”
If she had magical powers, I know my clothes would be gone. I’ve met women like her before, and they think that heavy flirting and sexual innuendos will get them an in every time, but I’m just not that guy.
“Talia,” Andi says, shaking her head and grabbing her friend’s arm. “Don’t mind her. She’s just a little bit drunk. She would never steal your man, Mia.”
“The Haverbrooks sprang for top-shelf liquor and Moet I’m not actually going to slap her.”
“Take some deep breaths,” Wendy says softly, always the voice of calm. She’s older than us, but I always remember her as the one who would reason with Mia and Josie when we were in high school and they were upset. “One, two, three. One, two, three.”
I watch Mia breathe in and out, and then she giggles.
“Thanks, Wendy. I feel better now. That was literally crazy. Absolutely crazy.” She turns to me, and her brown eyes are sparkling as she shifts closer to me.
“Also, why are Andi and your brother not walking around together? Why is she just going around, saying hello to people by herself? That’s so weird. ”
“I know,” Juniper says. “If I were getting married and this was my engagement party, my hands would not be off of my fiancé—if I ever have a fiancé.”
“You’ll have a fiancé,” Mia reassures, placing her hand soothingly on her friend’s arm. “Hopefully, we’ll both have fiancés soon.”
“Hopefully not before you and I officially break up.” I give her a look, and she smiles.
I know Mia wants to be in love. She’s talked about it her entire life, but sometimes, I wonder if she’s more in love with the idea of it than actually experiencing it.
“So, Wendy, is Carter here tonight?” I look around at the thinning crowds.
The DJ is still pumping music outside of Cocktails the earth will provide.’ And I’m like, ‘No, Grandma, the earth is not going to provide if we can’t pay our mortgage. ’ ”
“I feel that,” Juniper says. “The earth hasn’t provided me millions, nor has it provided me with a man.”
“I’m sure it will,” Mia says, looking around and tapping her feet in time to the music.
I wonder if I should ask her to dance, if that’s what our families expect, even though everyone knows I hate dancing.
“Oh, shit, I think Rafe is coming.” She quickly turns her face. “No one look around.”
“Oh.” Juniper stills. “Where is he?” Her tone sounds slightly excited as she turns her head, and I wonder what that’s about.
Is it the heat, or is she blushing?
“Please, everyone, no one look in his direction. I really do not want to speak to—”
“Hey, Meow-Meow,” Rafe says in his jovial tone as he joins us. “There you are.”
“Oh, hi, bro.” She turns to him with a fake smile. “I didn’t see you there.”
“We just made eye contact about twenty seconds ago, but you didn’t see me?” He scoffs.
Rafe never has put up with her bullshit, much to her chagrin.
“Well, you know how it is. My contacts are dry.”
“Luke, so good to see you again.” His voice doesn’t sound like it’s so good, but I know it’s my turn to put on a good show.
“You too. How’s the vet practice going? How are the animals?”
“Can’t complain.” He nods and looks over at Juniper. I notice his eyes widening for a few seconds as he takes in her sexy dress and her long, silky hair. “Hi, Juniper.” This time, his voice is deep, throaty, and gruff.
There is definitely something there. I’ll have to ask Mia what’s going on.
“Hey,” she says, her voice oddly tight. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
“I couldn’t miss the hottest party in town. Especially when our families go back so many years. And who knows?” he says, turning back to me. “Maybe there’s going to be a future engagement between you and my little sister.”
His eyes narrow, and I smile congenially back at him. Rafe looks almost menacing, standing there in his white shirt and dark jeans.
“Rafe, really?” Mia admonishes him. “This is not the time or the place to—”
“To what? To question the man who has been secretly dating my sister for a year and hasn’t thought to tell anyone in the family or ask if it’s okay?”
“He does not have to ask if it’s okay, Rafe. How antiquated are you?”
“I’m your big brother. I’ve got to make sure that you’re not dating a loser.
That’s my sole responsibility.” He turns his attention back to me.
“Have you even thought this through properly? I would hate for your friendship to be ruined because you all of a sudden figured out the other was good-looking.”
“I think they are old enough to make their own decisions,” Juniper says, rising to Mia’s defense, her brown eyes flashing at him.
“You may think that, but I know my sister. I know she doesn’t always think things through, and she’s been so desperate for—”
“Rafe!” She punches him in the shoulder.
“Sorry, but it has to be said. Sometimes, just because we’re attracted to someone doesn’t mean that a relationship is the right way to go.
” He crosses his arms and then looks back at Juniper again before he notices a grinning Wendy, who’s just been observing the entire conversation.
“Oh, hey there, Wendy. Please forgive me for being rude. I didn’t even see you there. ”
“No worries. How are you?”
“Good. I actually saw your new guest at the front, drinking some beers with Davis.”
“Oh, yeah?”
She looks surprised and pleased at the same time, and I notice she’s now patting her lips. Interesting.
“What’s his name? Carter?”
“Yes, I didn’t know he’d come.”
“Yeah, he looked like he felt a little uncomfortable, but I guess he knows a couple of people here.”
“Yeah, I should go and look for him, I guess. Thanks for letting me know.” Wendy grabs her bag and looks around.