Page 38 of Show Off

“Because it isn’t.” He keeps staring. “You’re hideous.”

“I hate you.”

He takes a sip of beer. “Back atcha, babe.”

God, he’s infuriating. And sexy and— “Oops.”Thanks, distraction.I just unhooked my front-clasp bra by mistake. Now what?

“Problem?” Dal asks, eyes locked with mine.

“Nope.” Heat floods my face as I fight to think on my feet. On my butt. With my tits blowing free in the breeze and world’s hottest chef watching me across the table.

To hell with him.

Fishing the bra through my armhole, I shake it out. “Didn’t need that, anyway.”

Dal’s mouth drops open. “Holy shit.”

Ignoring his gaze, I tuck the lacy pink bra in my purse. My cashmere sweater—stink-free, for the record—gets folded up, too, and crammed in my overstuffed bag. “There.”

Cassidy pretends to applaud. “Well done.”

“I’ll say.” Dal shakes his head, but he can’t hide what looks like respect in his eyes. “You commit. I’ll give you that.”

“Damn right.” I pick up my menu and wait for Jimmy’s return.

Cass checks her phone. “You know what? Jake texted what he wants. He’s almost here, so let’s just order.”

“Sounds good.” Dal waves to our smelly server, who bounds to the table like a Golden Retriever. One desperately needing a bath. How does he not notice?

“Hey, that looks great.” He gives me a cheerful thumbs-up. “All better?”

“No, actually.” Now’s my chance to make this right. “Maybe it wasn’t me after all.”

“Huh.” Jimmy looks at Cassidy. “You always smell nice, Miss Brooks.”

“Just Cassidy’s fine.” She gives me a helpless smile. “What else do you think it might be?”

I meet Jimmy’s eye, hoping he puts it together.Please, please, please?—

“Hey, sorry I’m late.” A bearded giant—aka Jake—stomps to the table. He bends to kiss Cassidy, then stands up and snarls, “What the fuck, Jimbo?”

“Huh?” Jimmy backs up like his boss might punch him. “What’s wrong?”

“You stink like a goddamn dead fish.” Jake glares at Jimmy. “Did you shower after you cleaned the bait tank?”

“I did, I swear!” He smells his right sleeve, then left. An awful wretch lurches out of him. “Holy shit! It’s my watchband.”

Jake curses some more. “How did you not notice you reek like rotting bait?”

Cassidy gags as Jimmy flails his arm like it’s on fire. “I had Covid two weeks ago, remember?” Jimmy’s fighting to unlatch the Velcro. “My smell’s all screwed up.” He heaves as he tugs off his watch. “Good God, that’s horrid.”

Cassidy covers her face. “You’re making it worse.”

“Well.” Dal meets my eye across the table, so smug and so sexy, I sincerely want to smack him. “Shall we order?”

* * *

It’s wellafter midnight and I can’t sleep. Maybe because I’m in my parents’ house, which feels weird. They may not be here, but I’m sensing them everywhere.

---