Page 6 of Game Change

“Then it’s back to the cold.” I want to slap myself for saying something so stupid. Right now, I feel as awkward as Amira.

“You guys should come to the house and have dinner with us,” he says. “Then we’re going to a club tonight.”

If I were impulsive, I’d go. I already know what short little black dress I’d wear and the perfect pair of sandals showcasing my legs.

“You plan on wearing a shirt, then?” I ask. I don’t normally flirt with men, but he’s sexy, and we’re on vacation.

“Nope,” he says. Then he winks at me. “I wouldn’t want to block your view.” He flexes his pecs again, and I bite my cheek to keep myself from touching him.

“What makes you think I care about the view?” I ask.

“I guess I just hope that you do,” he whispers.

“Is this what you do while you’re on vacation? Flirt with random women?”

“This is the first time. I guess I was waiting for one as beautiful as you,” he whispers. “So,” he says, addressing the table, “what do you ladies say? Come to the house around seven.”

“We’ll come,” Raven declares, surprising me, “but I probably won’t be any fun since I just finalized my divorce because my husband left me for a man.”

CK picks up his drink. “To your divorce,” he says, and everyone cheers. Even Malcolm stops scowling long enough to toast.

“Fuck that guy,” Malcolm says.

“But on a positive note, we’re celebrating Bee’s promotion at work,” Raven adds.

“It’s not official yet,” I announce.

“Yeah?” CK asks. “What do you do for a living?”

“She’s an artist,” Amira announces before I can answer. She subtly winks at me, clearly enjoying this more than she should. “The best. She’s already drawn the beach.”

I wave her off.

“Bring it over tonight so we can see; and congratulations on your promotion.”

Everyone raises their glasses, and we toast again, this time to my promotion.

“And what about you, Mimi?” Ian asks. “What are you celebrating?”

Chapter 4

Colin

“Um, just being alive,” she says while blushing. She glances at Malcolm, who isn’t paying her or us any attention as he devours his food.

“Nope. She’s celebrating telling her leech of a sister and her enabling mother to kiss her ass because boundaries are important,” Raven says. She lifts her glass and the three women toast.

To my shock, Malcolm raises his glass and toasts with them. “Not you, Ian,” Malcolm says. “You don’t know the definition of the word boundaries.”

I catch Brody’s eye from across the table, and he sighs and sits up, probably preparing himself to play referee.

“Get the fuck over it already,” Ian says. “I’m so sick of your attitude. You don’t like that I’m marrying your sister? Too damn bad. I wish you didn’t come.” Ian stands and storms out of the restaurant. Malcolm does the same but goes in the opposite direction as Ian.

The ladies look at each other, but no one asks questions, which is good because I don’t want to talk about their drama.

“I should probably go and make sure they don’t kill each other back at the house.” Brody leaves the table, and I’m left alone with the three women.

“Uh, so around seven tonight, then? Dinner and then we can all go out. Don’t worry about Ian and Malcolm.” I inch closer to Bee and make sure our knees bump underneath the table.

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