Page 23 of Mexico Can Choke On It
“Why do you ask? Jealous I’m giving my loyalty to someone else?”
“Maybe you’re selling company secrets,” he says dryly.
“Don’t sweat it, B. My customers are usually too drunk to find their own shoes, let alone steal IPO insider tips.”
One of his eyebrows lifts so subtly, it’s almost imperceptible. Which, from Bryce, is basically him flashing his underwear on a parade float.
“So you’re a bartender.”
“Yup, at the Broken Bottle on Sunset in Hollywood. Come by sometime. First round’s on you.”
“Isn’t that a dangerous part of town?”
“Awww. You worried about me? Don’t be. I can take care of myself, Moneybags. I’ve got a right hook and a taser if customers get too frisky.” I angle my head, studying him. “Why aren’t you back at the party? You don’t have to hide here in the cheap seats with the staff. You’re allowed to be with the beautiful people.”
“Someone needs to keep tabs on you,” he says, his face so serious, I can’t tell if he’s joking.
“Don’t wanna leave the wild child unattended?”
He doesn’t deny it.Sooo, not joking.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
There it is—that quiet, persistent tapping of his finger against his thigh. It’s Bryce’s tell, the little sign that he’s feeling uncomfortable.
And it’s the reality check I need.
Seriously, Petra. You’ve moved on from this fantasy, remember?
I force myself to turn and gape through the ballroom peephole again.
Fiona, is front and center, owning the stage with those platinum blonde curls that cascade down her back. Her skin’s glowing like she’s been rolling around in diamond dust and the souls of the damned. And that floor-length dress? Champagne-colored and hugging curves that were definitely purchased with Daddy’s credit card.
By her side, Gavin is her shiny accessory—tall, handsome, and imposing.
They look perfect together. It’s disgusting.
Fiona grabs Gavin’s hand, and even from this distance, I see the flash of her engagement ring.
That diamond?
Ten. Freaking. Carats.
Her ring was the final nail in the coffin, sealing my brother’s fate to the dark side. The second I saw that rock, I knew—he was a goner.
“As you all know,” Fiona coos into the microphone, “Gavin and I are getting married in a few months. But oh, we have the most fabulous surprise! We’ve been invited to say ‘I do’ at the utterly exclusive Casa Cashmere estate in Mexico! So, we’re moving the wedding up to next week! We jet off tomorrow!”
The crowd erupts in gasps and excited murmurs. “Casa Cashmere?” several voices exclaim in unison, like Fiona just announced they’re getting married on the moon.
But what catches my attention isn’t the audience’s reaction—it’s my brother’s face. For a split second, shock takes over his usually controlled expression.
I have no freaking clue what a Casa Cashmere is, but it’s obvious he’s not happy about it.
***
I’mgettingfull-bodyhives.
Gavin dragged me into this Sitting Room of Doom after Fiona dropped her surprise wedding timeline bomb. I’m standing in the corner, trying not to breathe on the many things that look like they came from the Vatican. I can’t even with this wallpaper—some antique monstrosity featuring… Constipated cherubs? Riding narwhals? Through clouds made of… dollar signs?
