Page 70 of Don't Bet On It
“I don’t remember that.” I was blasé.
“I don’t remember that either,” Ronan said, instantly siding with me. “You’re remembering that wrong.”
Candy made a face. “What I find interesting is that you two are putting up a united front.”
“I think you’re imagining that as well,” I replied. “I’m just trying to do my job.” I pointed toward the table in the corner. “They need drinks. It’s my job to get them.”
“Then do your job.” Candy sounded so reasonable it gave me pause.
“You’re going to leave me to do my job?”
“I’m going to talk to Ronan, for a change.”
He groaned, and she smiled at him in such a way that my sphincter puckered in sympathy. I hated it when she pointed that grin at me. Still, I was looking forward to getting a break from her.
“Awesome.” I shot her a thumbs-up and took off to do my job.
Candy kept close to Ronan for two hours. I remained far enough away that I couldn’t hear what they were saying. His frustration was palpable even from a distance.
At around six o’clock, Olivia sauntered into the lounge. She was dressed in a pretty pink frock and did a little shimmy when she saw me.
“Look!” She bounded over and landed with a hefty grunt directly in front of me.
I scanned her, expecting to find a new piece of jewelry or something. Nothing seemed different. “What am I looking at?”
She gestured to her dress. “It’s from the maternity section.”
“Ah.” Laughter bubbled up. Olivia was the only person I knew who was excited about shopping in the maternity section. “You finally found something that you’re not swimming in.”
“There’s room to grow.” She rubbed her hand over her stomach. “I look good, right?”
“You always look good,” I assured her.
“Zach says I look like Barbie’s pregnant sister.”
I pressed my lips together to make sure I wouldn’t laugh in her face. “Zach is a crackhead” was all I managed to come up with.
“Right?” Her eyes flashed. “He’s going to be a crackhead who sleeps in the guest room if he doesn’t appreciate my new clothes.”
I didn’t believe that for a second. “Did you visit me for any other purpose than to show off your new dress?”
The light went out of her eyes, and she nodded solemnly.
“You did?” This didn’t sound good. “Is something wrong?”
“Ryder is making noise about attending the next board meeting.”
Instantly, my mind went back to the night we’d seen Norbert and Ryder together in Paris. I’d forgotten all about that incident until now. “Why?” I was honestly curious. The intrigue that was Ryder Stone was impossible to ignore.
She shrugged. “Zach is trying to keep him out. I wanted to make you aware that I think he’s going to double his efforts to get into the casino.”
I could see that. “Well, I’ll keep my eyes open.”
Olivia nodded then glanced over at Ronan, who was still being peppered with questions by Candy. “What’s going on over there?”
I followed her gaze. “Oh, Candy has decided we both need to have healthy relationships with our parents. She won’t let it go.”
“What does that matter?”
