Page 240 of The Baby Bargain
I down a sip of champagne. Fruity bubbles burst on my tongue. Warm my throat. Take my head to other celebrations. All those times I didn't see the truth even though it was right in front of my face.
"You ready for the opening?" Brendon takes a sip of champagne. He looks around the empty room. Watches as Wes and Forest enter through the front door.
Wes holds up a bottle of wine.
Forest laughs. "You've been bragging about that bottle all day."
"My girl picked it out," Wes says.
Forest rolls his eyes. "Really? I haven't heard that."
"I know you're jealous because no one wants you." Wes crosses to the counter. Sets his bottle down. Grabs a flute. "Damn, is this Trader Joe's champagne? That's some good shit." He winks at Brendon.
Brendon chuckles. "I go all out for my employees."
"You too, Chase?" Wes pours two glasses of champagne. Offers one to Forest. "You gonna treat Forest and Holden like kings?"
"Kings?" I ask.
Wes nods.
Forest chuckles as he takes his glass. "Won't Chase be the king?"
"Damn, a monarch. No democracy." Wes shakes his head. "Sounds like my entire life." He holds up his glass to toast. "Better you than me."
Forest clinks glasses. "Chase isn't a complete tyrant."
Wes nodsokay, sure. "Glad you're happy."
"It's only three months," Forest says. "I can scare him off."
"Or you'll turn him on with that bratty shit." Wes downs his glass. "I've seen your search history."
"And?" I can't help but laugh. Wes is Wes. When he isn't giving me shit about Hunter and I'm not giving him shit about Mom—
This is easy. Why can't it always be this easy?
"And you like to order around chicks who disobey." Wes stares at me, waiting for a response.
I just shrug. "And?"
Forest chuckles.
Wes turns to Brendonhelp me out.
Brendon raises a brow. "Really?"
"Fuck, surrounded by pervs who love ropes." Wes shakes his head. "Nobody is gonna back me up." He nudges Brendon. "You into that too?"
"Didn't we just cover this?" Brendon's eyes fill with amusement.
"Yeah, but not in enough detail." Wes holds his hand over his mouth. Stage whispers, "Tell me that cute blonde loves to disobey."
Brendon doesn't punch Wes. He doesn't even threaten Wes. He just shakes his headyou're ridiculous. "You think you can ask me anything Dean hasn't?"
Wes pouts. "Fucking Dean. At least your brother is going to be here."
"You can stay the most annoying person at Inked Hearts," I say.
