Page 26 of Mexico Can Choke On It
“Gavin, this invitation cements your status. It’s on the top of my list for Bryce and Amanda’s wedding. Either there or Buckingham Palace. Though really, that place could use a facelift. So drab.”
Wedding? He’s engaged?
Why am I surprised? Of course he is.
Fiona vibrates with excitement. “We were lucky because the king of, oh, some tiny country—I forget which one—was supposed to vacation there, but he got food poisoning and almost died. Now he’s in a coma and can’t use his reservation.”
“That is a stroke of luck,” Judith says. “Well then, it’s settled.”
“I think my brother can decide for himself what he is and isn’t going to do.”
Dead silence falls over the room as all eyes lock on to my plant hideout.
Oh shit. Guess I said that out loud.
“Security!” Judith yelps, clutching her necklace like I might try to steal it.
The door bursts open, and in rush the two goons from my garden wrestling match. They skid to a halt when they spot me, recognition dawning on their faces.
“Hey fellas, miss me?” I step out from behind my botanical shield, wiggling my fingers in a wave.
Bryce steps forward, slipping into diplomat mode with practiced ease. “Mother, it’s fine. This is Petra, you remember? Gavin’s younger sister. You’ve met her before.”
“I don’t see the resemblance,” she says, blinking slowly. “Gavin looks… successful.”
Ouch. True, but ouch.
Before I can shoot back where I’d like to shove her martini olive, a security guard touches his earpiece.
“Ma’am,” he says. “The governor is departing, and your husband is requesting your presence.”
Judith sighs dramatically. “Naturally. The man can’t locate his own handkerchief without staff assistance.” At the threshold, she pauses to address one of the guards. “Keep an eye on… that.” She waves vaguely in my direction. “I want her searched when she leaves. This is a charity gala, not a shelter.”
I scan my body once again for sniper dots as she leaves. “Well, she didn’t have me shot on sight, so that went better than expected.”
No one laughs.
Tough room.
Gavin shifts his stance and turns toward Bryce, all business. “Can we make it work? Shift the IPO prep around the ceremony?”
Bryce hesitates for half a beat. “Honestly? It’s risky. We’re two weeks out from going public. There’s always a surprise this close to the finish line.”
I catch it. The flicker behind his eyes. Something he wants to say. Something important. ButBrycelocks it down tight.
I move toward the door. “All right. I’m gonna peace out before I get cavity-searched in the driveway. Sorry I can’t help with all the Miss Muffy stuff and royal coma logistics. Best of luck with the marital jellyfish.”
“That’s it,” Gavin says, snapping his fingers. “Petra’s the answer.”
“Say what now?”
“You come to Casa Cashmere,” he says, stepping closer. “You run point. Manage the wedding week with Fiona. Handle logistics so I can stay focused on the business.”
“Yeah, that’s gonna be a hard pass,” I say, backing toward the exit.
“Gav-Gav, honey, she barely agreed to be a bridesmaid. I don’t think wedding coordination is her… strength.”
“But, Fi, this is what you’ve been wanting. You said yourself you want to bond with Petra.”
