Page 6 of Bounty
The moment we entered our room—using a regular key card—I zipped toward the bathroom.
“Don’t be long, Effie.” The words floated to me. “I don’t have time for anything but a quick shower and throwing my clothes on.”
I slammed the bathroom door shut. Mom and I barely spoke on the drive over. I zoned out and kept music playing through my earbuds. Mom drove. However, we’d be in close proximity for the next several days. Bygones had to be bygones.
As usual.
Once I did my business, the niceness of the hotel room sank in. It was leagues better than the motel rooms normally booked during family trips.
“The bathroom is free now,” I announced to my mother when I walked out of the bathroom.
Mom lifted her head and halted rummaging through her suitcase.
Boxes of books and swag filled one hotel cart. Since we arrived two days before the signing, we’d spend tomorrow sorting the preorders, the special swag reserved for readers whoplaced huge orders, Mom’s raffle baskets and the games and prizes for on-the-spot wins at the table.
Flashing a smile, she retrieved her small toiletry bag and the dress I hurriedly added to our garment bag for tomorrow night’s dinner. “All right, I’ll be out in a jiffy, sweetie.”
I nodded, resisting the urge to snicker. What the fuck was a jiffy? After years of hearing her say it, the word had yet to become unamusing.
While my mother locked herself in the bathroom, I plopped down on my bed, opened my IG app on my phone, and notified Slice of my arrival.
Me: I’m here :)
Slice: Sweet
His reply came within minutes. After weeks of slow responses and radio silence, his quickness delighted me.
Slice: Can’t wait 2 see u.
Grinning, I bit back a squeal.
Me: The feeling is mutual.
Much to my disappointment, he didn’t reply. He didn’t even open the text. My smile turned into a pout. Undeterred, I looked at the bathroom door and listened for signs my mother would soon walk out. The sound of running water relieved me. I took a deep breath and inched my oversized shirt up, revealing my lace bralette. It was cute and comfortable, holding up my girls nicely without pinching my skin. I opened my camera app,quickly snapping a few pics. After a moment of deliberation, I bit my lip, chose the best photo, and sent it to Slice.
My rational side wondered if I crossed a boundary. Being so flirty with one of my mom’s models wasn’t the smartest choice.
Another part of me—the one that ruled—wasn’trational, but jealous and eager. Mom wanted to set up Slice with my sister. I refused to let that happen. The knowledge urged me to stake my claim and finally act on my feelings.
Perhaps, I was a bad sister and daughter, but Cassie wouldn’t leave Chad, and Mom never forbade me from mingling with her models. Since she wanted to set Cassie and Slice up, she shouldn’t have had a problem withmeand Slice.
The bathroom door opened and my mother stepped out. She looked positively stunning in 3-inch block heels, and her curls gelled into a sleek ponytail. Her basic makeup of eyeliner and red lips turned her into one of her heroines instead of my mom. I’d always been told I favored her. When she didn’t look like a bum, I appreciated that compliment.
“I’m about to head out.” Mom smoothed down the royal blue wrap dress I insisted she bring. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful, Mom,” I replied.
My phone buzzed and my heart leaped. Slice was responding to my photo. It got his attention. All my friends knew how busy I would be so they wouldn’t contact me and risk getting on my mom’s bad side.
The phone buzzed again and Mom lifted a brow.
“Do you have everything you need?” Somehow, I kept my voice steady and resisted shoving Mom out the door.
Thankfully, her annoyance cleared. “I think,” she said, hurrying to her nightstand and grabbing her purse. “If I need you to bring me anything, I’ll text you.”
I really hope she didn’t. Dropping everything to drive to her location would ruinmyplans for the evening. She wasn’t sure if she’d drink, so she was taking an Uber and leaving the SUV with me.
I loved my mother, but I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Slice tonight, not be an assistant. This might be my only shot to win him over.
