Page 84 of Tight Spot

“Hate that guy,” Charlie said next to me. “And Bianca? She’s always been a jealous bitch, always thought she hated Hailey and was just close to her because people liked her.”

That tracked. The whole town seemed to love Hailey, and she didn’t realize how deep that went.

“That’s Darrick?” I asked. His name came out on a low growl.

“Yeah and based on the way your hand turned into a fist, I need to ask you, for Hailey’s sake, not to punch his lights out, at least not publicly. Hailey wouldn’t like it.”

“Right.” I flexed my hand and stretched out my fingers. As I was looking, trying not to stare, a woman who could have been one of Tate’s most frequent flier patients pressed her chest to Darrick’s arm, suctioned herself to him like an octopus. “That Bianca?”

“The one and only. I’m guessing she’s fake. Could be cloned. Would explain a lot actually.”

I laughed and grabbed a water bottle someone had brought for me from the table. “You’re not so bad, Charlie.”

“I’m awesome. You should also know he might not be looking now, but he has been, and most of the time he looks like he’s trying to remember what my sister’s ass looks like, hidden beneath that dress.”

I choked on my water and covered my mouth with my fist. “Seriously?”

“Well, yeah, although now I’m thinking of my sister’s ass, so I need another drink. Sure you don’t want anything?”

“Get drunk and I might punch the prick.”

“Right. Two drinks for you coming up.”

He sauntered off, kissing Sloane and Misty’s cheeks as he did, asked them if they needed anything and then was gone.

I went straight to Hailey, slipped my hand behind her neck and twisted her so her front was facing my side. “Dawson? What is it?”

“Darrick’s watching,” I murmured, and I dipped my chin, tilted my head, and kissed her.

CHAPTER24

HAILEY

Ihated Dawson’s kisses as much as I craved them. With every kiss, it became closer to my last kiss. It didn’t stop me from pressing my hand to his chest, curling my hand into a fist around his suit coat lapels, and holding on for the ride.

He was going to bring attention to us, which I figured was his intention. He was staking his claim on me in front of Darrick, and I wasn’t complaining, even if this was as fake as everything else.

Dawson pulled back, slipping his tongue along his bottom lip, and when I opened my eyes, he was peering down at me, a soft smile lifting the corner of his lips that brought tears to my eyes on sight.

Goddamn him for making me love him, giving me these looks.

“Best damn kiss I’ve ever had, Hailey. Every single one you’ve given me.”

“Dawson.” I clung to his biceps.

If that was true, why did he look so conflicted about the admission?

“Hate to break this up,” Meredith said, bumping her hip into mine. “But Old Man Bonkers is pacing backstage, ready to get started so we might want to take our seats.”

“Old Man Bonkers?” Dawson asked.

I smothered a laugh. “Manny Bonners. But he’s old, and well, crazy. He’s our mayor.”

“Hence, Old Man Bonkers.” Meredith swung her arm through mine and pulled me toward our table.

Dawson followed, now wearing an amused smirk.

She pressed her head against mine and whispered, “Later, when we’re alone, you’re going to tell me how that man can kiss you like that, and then you can both look so sad about it.”

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