“They were always gentlemen to me,” Honey says. “Lucy runs the club, and they respect her. She wears a ring, so she’s their equal. After shifts, she would send us home with an escort. Mine would drive me home and drop me off right at my door. He never tried anything.” She looks almost disappointed. “Not once. But maybe it was just me.”
She’s doing that thing again where she’s down on herself. I think maybe an ex-boyfriend was one of those shitty people who tear people down to feel strong. The thing is, he’s gone, but she still believes his lies. And apparently, none of the Fraternitas members ever took an interest in her, which I don’t believe, but what matters is that she’s making up stories of rejection and using them to beat herself up.
“Honey,” I say. “Listen to me carefully. You are the hottest person I’ve ever seen. If you were my type, I would fuck you in a heartbeat.”
“I think that’s a compliment,” Raine says dryly.
“Thank you.” Honey’s blushing again, which only makes her look more beautiful.
“Damn it. You want to know the worst thing about this arranged marriage? Kaiser is exactly my type.” I hold up Viking Thunder. “I’m such a cliche.”
“We can’t change who we’re attracted to,” Raine says glumly. “Even if we wish we could.”
“Maybe you’ll like being married to him,” Honey suggests with a wistful smile. She’s so sweet, of course, she’d wish for a happy ending for me.
“Whatever. I’ll think about it tomorrow. Right now, I have brownies and butter popcorn. I feel no pain.” I grab the brownie pan and make a selection.
“Should you be taking more edibles?” Raine asks.
“YOLO!” I cram the brownie into my mouth. “It doesn’t usually affect me, but let’s do makeup before it hits.”
We decamp to Honey’s glorious bathroom, where Honey sets me up on the counter and starts brushing stuff all over my face. I’m wired. Honey keeps having to ask me to hold still. I want to hear more about Kaiser.
“Did you ever talk to him?” I ask while she frowns at my face, holding up different makeup palettes to compare shades.
“I never got near him, but he always seemed like he was in a bad mood. Or when he was a little more chill, I always got the sense it was because he just murdered someone.”
I can’t help it. I let out a giggle. “That’s him.”
Raine calls from inside the clawfoot tub where she’s lying, eating popcorn. “Have you already…?”
“Done it?” I ask.
Honey laughs. “I swear, Bella, you say things people haven’t said in twenty years.”
“What should I say?”
“Made the beast with two backs,” Raine suggests.
“Okay, Shakespeare.” Honey’s getting more giggly. The weed’s hitting.
“Yeah,” I say. “Now who’s dropping references that are two hundred years old?”
“More like four hundred years. But it’s classic,” Raine throws popcorn at both of us.
“So you do like him,” Honey says.
“I like it when he touches me.”
“Awww,” Honey says as Raine hoots.
“I think I like it too much.” I frown at my reflection. “When I’m with him, I kind of lose my mind.”
“I’m not seeing a problem here,” Raine says.
“I get it.” Honey brushes blush onto my cheeks. “You want to be smart.”
“Yeah. He makes me dumb.”
