Page 30 of An Improper Deal (Elliot & Annabelle 1)
“Nah. He’s too uptight.”
“Normally, yeah, but he’s pissed off about Dad’s bullshit—”
“God, who isn’t pissed off about Dad’s bullshit?”
“—so maybe he did it anyway to help you along.”
I don’t know about that. Blake is…very uptight. “If he’s that mad, he should set Elizabeth up with someone.”
“I think he only knows sociopaths like Dane. They’re like best friends,” Ryder says.
“Yeah, but that’s better than the folks in our crowd.” We tend to hang out with a wild bunch.
There’s a pause. “Yeah. I can’t think of a single guy I’d be okay with.”
“No shit.” Elizabeth is far too pure for any of the filthy reprobates we know.
“We should get her a virgin,” Ryder says.
I actually spew scotch. Some of it gets on the coffee table. “A what? From where? Junior high?”
“I’m sure there are some left…you know…somewhere.”
I shake my head. “She’d kill us if she knew we were talking about pairing her up with an altar boy.”
“Hey, don’t knock it. It’s her fault for being my younger sister. I know all there is to know about assholes.” He pauses for a moment and murmurs something to someone. It sounds like Paige. “I gotta go. When’s the wedding? Maybe we can make it.”
“Sometime soon, preferably next Tuesday. But don’t bother. You’re on your honeymoon.”
“All right, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Give Paige a kiss from me.”
“My wife isn’t getting shit from you.” He hangs up with a laugh.
I toss the phone on the couch and replace my scotch. What Ryder said starts to tickle my brain, and not in a good way.
If he didn’t send the cake, who did?
* * *
Annabelle
“You have to tell me all about him!” Nonny says, her eyes bright. I don’t know how she’s been able to wait.
“What’s there to say?”
“Ohmygod! Are you freaking kidding me? You’ve been dating that hottie and you never said a word! So unfair, Anna. So unfair. I know you’re mad that I got into his car, but seriously, the more I think about it, the madder I am that you never breathed a word. I’m your sister. You should’ve told me.” She sits at the table, resting her elbows on it and propping her face in her hands. “So now, c’mon. Spill. Everything.”
“Well…we met a little while back.” I’m not telling her where.
“He said you guys spent some time together on Monday, which explains why you were late. I should’ve known you were bullshitting. ‘A wrong turn’.”
“Uh, language.”
“Oh come on. Stop yelling and start talking. Maybe my language will improve.”
I shake my head and start putting together two ham and cheese sandwiches. “We haven’t been seeing each other for that long.”
