“Oh, sorry. I’m just tired,” she lied.
“They can be tiring,” the blonde said as she rolled her eyes, and Coral laughed.
“What was your name again?” Coral asked.
“Faye. Faye Godmeyer.” She stuck out her hand to shake. “Cade is Mr. Wolfe’s cousin.”
Coral took her tiny hand in her own, thankful she didn’t have to embarrass herself twice by asking what the rocker guy’s name was. “I’m Coral. Cute shoes.” She nodded in her direction.
“I like your tattoos,” Faye replied.
“Yeah, okay. Now we all know each other and have lots of sisterly love! Back on topic,” Redd smiled at her. “So, you love him, huh?” She was a true friend and could always see past Coral’s lies.
“Do I love him?” Coral said it out loud. As much for herself as Redd. Was that what she was feeling?
“Oh my God! He took your V-card!” Redd shrieked, drawing curious glances from the servers that hustled by.
“Shh! Stop yelling!” Coral tried to calm her friend down as she was bouncing and giggling in front of her.
“Oh no.” Redd’s giggles stopped and her face grew serious. “What does this mean about your deal? Is she going to find you now?”
“I’m not sure, and I don’t know what to do about it yet. Please keep it to yourself for now while I try to figure something out,” Coral pleaded. “Can we meet up later? I might need help from you two.”
“Incoming,” Faye whispered as she took a few steps back.
“I gotta go. I can’t afford to be in any more trouble today.” Redd pulled Coral in for a quick hug before she grabbed Faye’s arm and led her back to the dining room.
Coral tried to shore herself up before she turned around. She waited three full seconds, then slowly turned to meet Jake’s heated gaze.
“What were you girls conspiring about?” Jake narrowed his eyes at her.
She shook her head at him, and he rolled his eyes.
“Can we talk about it later?” She glanced around, seeing there were still people coming and going into the dining room in a steady stream. This was a conversation she’d rather have in private.
“As long as we do talk about it. No keeping things from me,” he warned.
“Of course not.” She gave him her surest smile, but she didn’t think he completely bought it. She just needed to buy some time. The sea witch would know by now that she was no longer a virgin, and then she would find her—and Jake. His life was in danger now because of her. If she could just think it through, maybe she could form a plan and make sure he was safe.
She was lost in thought as Jake led her back to the table. He pulled out his chair and sat first. Coral went to seat herself, but he tugged her into his lap. She felt her face heat and she knew she was blushing from embarrassment. Mr. Wolfe winked at her, and Redd shot her a sympathetic look.
“Jake, I can sit in my own seat,” she whispered into his ear.
“I prefer you sit right here. Something is going on in that head of yours, and I’d much rather have you where I can keep track of you.”
His arm was like a lead weight around her waist and she let out a sigh, resigned to the fact that she’d be spending dessert perched on her handsome man’s lap. It would definitely put a wrinkle in her plan of trying to get some advice from Redd. Jake would be able to hear everything she was saying. She glanced across at Redd, who was currentlybouncing in her seat over the prospect of chocolate cake. She was already asking for seconds before they were served their first piece. Coral laughed at the carefree little girl Redd felt comfortable becoming when she was with Mr. Wolfe. She never saw this side of her friend at any other time.
If the day had ended up differently and she hadn’t met Jake, she would have been sitting here, silently stewing over Mr. Wolfe and Redd’s interactions. She had found herself growing more and more jealous of their relationship, but now that she had Jake, she was able to appreciate what they had. Not a romantic relationship, but he took care of her and she was comfortable to let go of all of her problems. There was something very sweet and authentic about that.
Now, if Coral could just get out of Jake’s grasp, she could figure out how to save him from their impending doom. She wiggled in his hold and tried to scoot off his lap, but he responded by tightening his grip and shifting her closer to him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her as he began cutting into the chocolate cake with his fork.
“Nothing,” she said, trying to play it cool. “I just need to talk to Redd. I was going to sit by her so I didn’t bother you and Mr. Wolfe.”
“Whatever you need to say, you can say from here. You’re not bothering us, right?” Jake turned towards Mr. Wolfe, who nodded his agreement as he poured Redd a tall glass of milk from a pitcher.
Redd looked up from her cake inquisitively, and Coral shot Jake a glare. “Never mind, it wasn’t important.”
