Page 41 of Rich Girl
“Oh no,” she scrambles to reach the stroller even though Carrie already has it under control. She has the baby out and calmed down in no time. This offers enough distraction where they stop asking questions about me and Hayden. I had no idea they were this damn nosy.
“You’re okay,” Carrie whispers to the baby. His small whimpers are the cutest thing. “Auntie Evie is always so loud, isn’t she? She makes a terrible godmother. What was your mommy thinking?”
“What are you talking about?” Evie puts both hands on her hips, staring her best friend down. “I’m a wonderful godmother. The best.”
They bicker back and forth, forgetting about me and Hayden. I take her hand into mine, and I smile when she squeezes it in thanks. I lean over to talk into her ear.
“I think they forgot about us. This is our chance to disappear.”
She turns her head to look at me, a big smile in place. “Just like that? Won’t they get mad?”
“Who cares?” I shrug. “They’re not my friends.”
“Ray Parker!” Evie gasps in shock. I guess they’re done chatting amongst themselves. “I can’t believe you think so little of us. And especially of me!”
I lift an eyebrow in surprise. “Especiallyyou? Are we friends?”
“I…” She blushes and looks away. “You…” She tries again.
I move my head to the side to speak to Hayden in the corner of my mouth.
“She’s embarrassed because I almost saw her naked once.”
“What?” All girls yell in surprise.
I start laughing. “I didn’t.” Then I look at Evie. “But you know I would’ve had you managed to drive Cal’s Jeep into the pond.”
“You never told me Ray could’ve seen you naked,” Carrie reprimands her best friend. “When I ask for details, I wantdetails.”
That gets them going again, and I turn around and pull Hayden with me. I debate for a second if I should get us in the Jeep and drive away. But, in this instance, it’s better to just speed walk, or possibly even run, back to my shop.
“Hey,” Evie calls after us. “Where are you two going?”
“Home,” I yell back. “We got shit to do, girl.”
I pick up the pace.
“Walk faster,” I mutter toward Hayden.
“Wait!” Evie stops us again. “Hayden, where do you live?”
Hayden’s eyes fly to my face, staring at me like she’s asking for permission to speak. I just shrug in response. I don’t have anything to hide, and she doesn’t know that I am aware she’s hiding plenty of things. So I prefer to let her say whatever she’s comfortable with.
“Uh, I live in the city.”
I smirk when I realize that she doesn’t specify which city, but the girls assume it’s NYC.
“Oh, how fun,” Carrie exclaims. “Where in the city do you live? Maybe we can get together for lunch one day when I’m up that way. I work from home, but I still go in once in a while.”
Once again, Hayden looks at me for direction. I take pity on her this time.
“She lives close to the bar where me and the guys go when we’re out for a drink.”
“Nice,” Evie butts in now. “I come to the city once in a while, mostly to talk to my vendors out there. I got a wedding to work on next week. Maybe I’ll drive in then. What’s your number?”
“Ladies,” I put my arms up, hands facing out, bringing Hayden’s hand with me when I do so. “Why do you need all this information on Hayden?”
“Why are you taking her home with you?” she counteracts, only making me laugh again when she does so.
