“So?” Angel glanced at Kat, and I quickly looked at her too so as to keep up the pretense I wasn’t eavesdropping on him.
“He’s trained in kicking ass and Kat could tase your balls if you hurt her baby sis,” Sal insisted.
Angel scoffed. “I don’t plan on hurting anyone unless they’re into that. Besides, I doubt Tori would give me the chance.”
Did he think I was so heartless?
If we were ever going to reconnect, now would be the time.
Kat nudged my arm. “Are you okay?”
“Mm, yes. I think I need some nuts,” I said, then winced.
What a stupid, obvious suggestion. She’d think it was a Freudian slip.
“Low blood sugar,” I muttered.
Kat hesitated, clearly torn between laughing and genuine concern. “The bar has snacks.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” I hurried off to escape my slip of the tongue.
I didn’t need Angel. Or his dick. Or a germ-infested tray of pretzels.
All I wanted was to feel the buzz of potential again. Hopefully, without the nausea that usually accompanied it.
Angel sidled up next to me at the bar as if my innuendo had summoned him and said, “Glad you made it, pidge.”
“Yes, well, I figured I should ‘give it a chance,’” I said, playing with the edge of an abandoned coaster.
“I hope you enjoy it.” He narrowed his eyes, studying me, then jerked his head playfully at my sister. “I didn’t think you flocked with ravens.”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think,” I challenged.
“Mm, not nearly as well as I’d like to.” He smirked, raising his glass to his soft lips and nice teeth.
Was he flirting with any amount of sincerity?
I smoothed my skirt. “I bet you say that to all us ‘pigeons.’”
“Only the ones I like.” He winked.
How many of us were there?
The girl with curly hair eyed us from across the bar.
“What happened to the woman you love?” I asked.
He shrugged. “She’s out of town for ‘work.’ She might bring me something if I’m good, but I’m not counting on it.”
I furrowed my brow. “That doesn’t sound very romantic.”
“I would hope not. She’s my mother.” He slung the red liquid into his mouth.
His mother?! So, he wasn’t in love with a potential girlfriend?
“Why wouldn’t you justsaythat?” I snapped.
He leaned in, his words coated in sweet vermouth and bittersweet fruit. “It helped me gauge your interest. The fact that you’re having an emotional reaction—”
