Page 18 of Wicked & Wildflower

“So, I think it’s the spark plug. It’s worn down quite a bit, which is odd for a car as new as yours. But the good news is that it’s an easy fix. I can run down to the shop and grab you one and then come back and replace it. I’ll go ahead and change your oil too.” I wink at her. “Should be finished before you have to pick Lou up from school.”

“Thank God,” she says as she takes a sip of her coffee. “I appreciate all your help, really, but I cannot show up to that school in your Jeep again.”

I laugh. “You don’t take me as the type of woman who minds the stare of others.”

“When it’s bitchy parents, I do.” She huffs. “A bunch of the other people dropping off their kids were giving me these horrible looks. They don’t even know me, and I could tell they’re already assuming I’m a terrible parent.”

“They’re glaring because you’re younger and hotter than they are.” I shrug. “And because they’re wondering why you’re driving my car.”

She snorts into her coffee. “What? Are you some kind of local celebrity? Everyone knows the car Everett Ramos drives?”

“I mean, my brother is an actual celebrity, so yeah. People around here know our family. Plus, how many 1987, neon orange Jeep Wranglers do you see around town?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She bites the inside of her cheek. “I thought you were going to tell me it’s because you’ve fucked a bunch of them.”

“I wouldn’t say abunch.”

Her pink lips drop open, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my own mouth.

“Does that make you jealous, Wildflower?”

Her mouth clamps shut as she shakes her head. “Of course not. I mean…” She looks down at her hands. “I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess.”

“Dahlia,” I say with enough conviction that she raises her head, eyes searing into mine. “What I did with you at Emilio’s was not something I’ve ever done with anyone else before.”

“Me either,” she whispers.

“I know.” I set my coffee on the kitchen counter and kick my hip against it, crossing my arms. “Plus, if it makes you feel better, since I know you’re definitely jealous.” She rolls her eyes at me. “Most people only go after me because they think it’ll get them closer to Leo.”

I don’t say it because I’m hoping she’ll pity me. I don’t even know why I say it, honestly. I hate admitting that, admitting that I’m less desirable, often a tool used to gain access to my brother. To his fame. Money. Status. The hopes he’ll catch another’s eye the way they caught mine. I hate feeling that way about Leo, hate feeling that way about myself.

Something about Dahlia makes me feel safe, though. Maybe it’s because I know she’s one person who would never use mefor that reason, even if I only know that because her sister is engaged to him.

I couldn’t look at her as I said those words, but a moment passed in silence, and I found myself glancing up, desperate to read her face and what she thinks of me. Her brows are furrowed, jaw set tight, pouty lips turned downward. There is a quiet rage brewing in her eyes.

As if she was waiting for me to meet her gaze, she finally says, “That’s disgusting, and I’m sorry you feel that way. That it happens to you.” She shakes her head, taking another sip of her drink. “I can’t believe a woman would even think that’s a good idea. Sleeping with one brother thinking that it’d make the other want her? That’s insane.”

I let out a laugh at that. “Yeah…There isn’t always logic in their actions, but honestly, it happens a lot more often with the men I date. They think if they get with me, they can befriend Leo, that Leo will offer them some kind of connection to his world.”

A surprise look flashes across her face, but I can tell she quickly tries to settle it.

“You didn’t know I was bisexual, did you?”

She gives a slight shake of her head.

“Is that an issue for you?” I ask casually. It’s not the first time, and likely won’t be the last either. I’m used to it, and I’m comfortable enough with myself now that it doesn’t bother me anymore, though I can’t pretend it wouldn’t sting a little to hear it come from Dahlia.

“Of course not,” she says. The sincerity in her voice tells me she’s being honest, and some storm inside my chest immediately calms. “I just didn’t know.”

“I’ve been out for so long, and everyone in my life is so used to it, I guess I don’t always think about the fact that new people won’t automatically know.”

She smiles to herself. “So, are you telling me I’m going to be running into not only other women you’ve fucked, but potentially some daddies too?”

“It shouldn’t matter, right? Because you’re not jealous.” I smirk behind my coffee.

“Exactly.”

Her eyes sparkle with mischief, and lightning electrifies the air between us as we smile at each other.Fuck.I want her to be jealous. I know it’s messed up, and I don’t know what it is about her that makes me feel this way, but I want to know she’s bothered by the thought of me with anyone else. Then, I want to tell her she has nothing to worry about because if she said the word right now, I’d be on my knees for her and her alone.

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