Raven texts back.I might just have a little surprise brewing foryou,too!
“See that?” Lex flicks her finger at the screen. “Turnabout is fair play. She might just be ready to knife your heart out, too. Now what could possibly be brewing for you in hercauldron?”
“I have no clue.” I’m stumped just thinking about it. “Ooh, I know! A new pair of kicks. Raven is the one who gifted me my first pair ofLouboutins.”
“They’re your only pair ofLouboutins.”
“You have to think positive, Lex. I can see it doesn’t come naturally.” I give her knee a quick tap. “It’s time for the truth, girl. What are you going to say to Ax the ex tonight when youseehim?”
Her face goes white as she stares out in a daze in the distance at Jepson. “I’m not going to say a word. I’ve spent the last few years freezing him out. I don’t see why the big thaw should happen just because I’m in the same airspace.”
“Attagirl,” I tease. “I’d hate for you to lose your ice princesspersona.”
She lifts a brow, amused by the fact. “Has he calledmethat?”
“Nope. In fact, he’s as tight-lipped asyouare.”
Her eyes narrow in on the city with a vengeance as if she were readying to pounce. “Is that so?” She huffs a dull laugh, and something tells me that little nugget I just shared won’t bode wellforAxel.
“But trust me, I can tell he’s desperately still interested. He wants you. Face it, the power of the vajayjay is strongwithyou.”
“There are a lot of things I’d like to lord over him. My girl parts aren’t one of them.” She snarls before biting down on her lip as if maybe her girl parts are the very thing she’d like to lordoverhim.
“So, no hope of a reconciliation, huh? I’ll admit, I’m more than a bit bummed. I was sort of hoping you and Ax could get back together and the four of us could go on all these fun double dates. And vacations! Oh, the vacations we could have gone on. And you know that the two of us would have sniffed out all thebestfood.”
She sniffs the air as if to spite me. “Let’s get back. I’ve got a shower to takemyself.”
We start back down the trail, her swatting at the air and me drinking down thesunshine.
“So, what are you going to wear tonight?” I ask, looking for a clue as to how hard she’s going to stick it to poor Axel. Lex is impeccably dressed twenty-four seven. Even now as I’m sweating it out in cutoffs and a tank top, she’s decked out from head to toe in all of Lululemon’s best offerings. “I bet you’re going to slay this. Let me guess—spiked heels and a low-cuttop?”
Her lips twitch with the hint of a wicked smile. “There will be spikes involved. You got that half-right.”
Something tells me Alexa Ximena Maxfield is ready to drive an entire spike strip into the giantXthat sits over Axel Collin’sheart.
The Sloppy Pelicangleams under the faux starry spray of a thousand twinkle lights I had Levi install throughout the open beamed woodwork that spans theceiling.
He wraps an arm around me and gives a little jostle. “Well done, Peaches. I think it’s just what we needed to kick it up to the nextlevel.”
“You’re already there, Boobear.” I give him a little wink as I come in forakiss.
Brody leans in. “Don’t forget the fact I’ve booked three bands for the night. The votes are gettingtight.”
“About that.” I wrinkle my nose. “I know I’m backtracking, but I think maybe we should just open up The Sloppy Pelican toallbands. That way you get fresh entertainment on the regular? Plus, it gives the local bands the break theymightneed.”
Levi gives my ribs a quick tweak. “I think it’sgenius.”
Axel walks in, and all the skirts at the bar quiet to a hush. He’s donned his black suit, gold tie, and has his hair slicked back. He’s putting on quite the panty-melting show, and judging by the slack-jawed expression of the girls lined up ready and willing to gift him their undergarments, it’sworking.
“Wow,” I muse as he heads for our circle. “You headed to promlater?”
Brody and Levi share a quick laugh at their buddy’sexpense.
“Only if your dance card is open, baby.” Ax gives a little winkmyway.
“If your dance moves are as smooth as that look you’ve got going on, I just might be free for a number or two.” I give Levi’s ribs a hard pinch, but he’s not laughing. “I’m teasing.” I bat my lashes up at his baby blues. “My dance card is full each and every night with this guy right here.” I steal a delicious kiss before giving a quick little bite. “A preview of things to come.” I lick my lips, and Levi does that sexy as all heck waggle of the brows. This boy has me going all the time. It’s a wonder we show up for workatall.
“Hey”—he winces—“I forgot to tell you my mom called. She said the family wanted to come out and support metonight.”
