“Because his dad’s getting out of prison soon andourfather is apparently talking about trying to merge the companies again. Or so she says. I wouldn’t know. I don’t talk to him directly.”
“Wait.Prison?”
“Yeah. Prison. Embezzlement and wine fraud. You didn’t know that?”
“No.”
“Yep.”
“How did I missthat?”
“Bea. You were in classes and I was moving in and Hudson got the flu and strep all at the same time and you kinda had other things going on than worrying about my sister’s break-up.”
“But her ex’s dad went toprison? And your father still wants to merge companies? What does Margot’s ex’s family do?”
“Long story. No more time to spare. You have a hot date.”
I amsogetting this story out of her later. But for now, I check my reflection one last time. “An overly smiley date that I don’t trust.”
Something crashes in the living room, and then the apartment door makes its usual squeak, and then something else crashes.
“Who are you?” Hudson says in a tough guy voice that cracks Daphne up and makes me cringe.
“If you’re going to try to get into my sister’s business tonight, I’ll get intoyourbusiness, you get me?” Ryker says.
“Hold on, I can get Griff on video call in two seconds,” Daphne says. “I don’t think his game today is for a few more hours.”
“Donotcall Griff too.” I lower my voice as the two of us dash to the bedroom doorway and hover, listening to my brothers. “I think he fell down theIn the Weedsrabbit hole and would probablyalsocrap his pants.”
“Good evening, gentlemen,” Simon says. “Lovely to see you both again. I have the utmost respect for your sister and intend to try absolutely nothing beyond accompanying her on what I sincerely hope will be an enjoyable evening. Unlessshewants something, of course. Which I also would not confide in either of you, because a lady deserves privacy.”
“Where are your kids?” Ryker asks.
“Pizza and movie night with their mother, who’s missed them quite a bit while she’s been tied up helping her own mother this week.”
“Bodyguards?” Hudson says.
“One with Lana and the boys, two downstairs with the limo.”
“Alimo?” both of my brothers say.
Ryker’s question is skeptical. Hudson’s is delighted.
Naturally.
And you can practically hear Simon’s smile in his response. “Yes, one of those stretch SUV numbers. Did you truly expect me to make this evening anything less than grand to apologize for accidentally having your sister arrested?”
“What time will you have her back tonight?” Hudson asks.
“Whenever she wishes to be back.”
“Turn your pockets inside out,” Ryker orders. “I need to see for myself that you’re not carrying condoms and hoping for a quickie in the bathroom.”
“Oh, no, I sent those in the handbag that accompanied the dress and shoes.”
Daphne and I trade glances, and both of us lunge for the clutch on the bed.
I’m not in the killer heels yet, so I beat her just as I hear Simon chuckle out in the living room.
