Jo: What? You don’t like a challenge?
“Your grandmother was a smart cookie,” Brooke piped in with a hiccup, “but she didn’t know fashion.”
Jo snorted. “No more mimosas for you.”
“Actually, it’s a common myth,” the woman continued. “This shade of red would be striking with your fair skin and auburn hair.”
And you’ll say anything for a hefty commission.
“Avery will love it,” Kate added.
Charlotte laughed. “He’ll love taking it off her.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll try it on.” Anything to shut them up. His texts were hot enough. She didn’t need them stoking the fire.
Avery: You’re enough challenge already.
Another text rolled in.
Letty: I was wondering if you wanted to ride together tomorrow to deliver Mrs. Rossi’s order. I have plenty of room in my van, and it’s refrigerated.
Jo: I’d love to. I’m at Avery’s.
Letty: I have the address. About 2?
Jo: I’ll be ready.
Brooke’s elbow connected with Jo’s arm, jostling the phone. “Stop sexting with Avery and pay attention.”
“For your information, I’m texting Letty.”
“Who’s Letty?” Kate asked.
“Ha!” Brooke set her empty glass on the table. “Only the florist who saved Avery’s ass after his dick move at the club Saturday night.”
Jo rolled her eyes and moved Brooke’s glass to the end table before Melody could refill it. “I told you, he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Melody’s brow dove into a V, her dark eyes full of concern. “We were all pretty ticked at him until we saw the club footage.”
“Bryce showed me,” Kate said, studying the next dress, a strapless cocktail, “and I felt so bad for not believing him.”
Brooke swung back to Jo. “You didn’t tell me there was footage.”
“I haven’t watched it.” Jo picked up her drink and took a sip to keep from saying something she would regret.
“Seriously?”
“He said he didn’t do anything. I didn’t need more than that.”
The room grew quiet, and she felt a little guilty for making them feel uncomfortable, but they were his family. They were supposed to believe in him and rally behind him. But maybe no family was perfect, hers least of all.
Brooke shook her head. “You ask me, he shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”
What the fuck? I’m going to kill her.
“Why not?” Jo shrugged. “We’d only been out a couple of times. We weren’t exclusive.”
“Weren’t?” Charlotte’s brow lifted.
