Page 67 of Clashing
“—have a boyfriend.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I dropped my elbows to the counter and my head into my hands.
“You don’t know him!”
I glared at her. “He’s trash.”
A pout on her lips, she crossed her arms. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“You swore off men!”
“So did you, and yet, this is mostdefinitelya man,” she said, gesturing to Ryker who snorted and choked on his scotch for the second time.
“Mom,” I whined. “Can’t you be a spinster?”
“What happened to being nice?”
I made a face and straightened out. “Fine. Who is he?”
“His name’s Mike.”
I fished my phone from my back pocket. “Mike what?”
She massaged her temples. “You’re going to internet stalk him?”
“Of course I am. I’m going to cyberstalk the shit out of him and learn all his dirty secrets.”
“You don’t know that he has dirty secrets!”
“Everyone has dirty secrets.Youtaught me that. Last name.” I tapped the counter. “Now.”
“Michael Frasier.” She dropped her chin in her hand with an overdramatic huff. “He’s a doctor at the hospital I work at.”
I winced. “He’s not your boss, is he?”
“No, give me a little credit. Jeez.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head at Ryker. “Some people’s kids.”
“Don’t give me that. You dated your boss before.”
“You have a job to do.” She jabbed her thumb at a group who entered and sat at a table. “You can go crazy stalker on him later.”
“Fine. But Iamgoing to go crazy stalker on him. In fact, you might as well give me his home address.” I planted my hands on my hips. “‘Cause I’ll find it either way. And if he hurts you, he has me to deal with. Tell him that.”
“God, for all your bitching about Dan being overprotective, you’re just like him.”
Ryker lifted his glass in cheers. “Hear, hear.”
I clicked my tongue and swatted Ryker with the dirty bar rag. He threw his arms up, but I didn’t care.
“I gotta get back to Dan.” Mom slid cash across the counter. “Be nice to your customers but, you know, maybe nottoonice.” She winked at both me and Ryker.
And that’s how he ended up choking on his scotch for the third time in one night.
“I’m not like Dan,” I huffed as she walked away.
Ryker cocked his head. “Yeah, you are.” I turned to glare at him, and he stared back unapologetically. So unapologetically, he repeated the words. “Youare.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
