Rayah twisted her head round and narrowed her eyes. “Keep an eye on him with Lainey.”
“I will.”
“I mean it, Jake. He’s always been after women for what money they have and if the rumours are true – who knows if they are – he’s involved with dealing.”
Jake looked up to the ceiling and prayed for help. “You do not get involved. Tell me if you hear anything dodgy about him, but for all we know he’s trained to become a monk and donates half his earnings to charity. Don’t start digging.” The last time Rayah had started digging for information, she’d ended up in a burning building. He did not want a repeat of that.
“I promise. Just you promise to keep an eye out for her. Even if you don’t like her, she’s still your neighbour.”
That promise was too easy. Jake stared at her, wondering what else she’d agree to and why. But that wasn’t the first thing he was concerned with.
“Why don’t you think I like her?”
Rayah stared at him like he’d developed a second head. “She bought the farm you were desperate for.”
He nodded. “She did. But she didn’t do it to spite me. She’s amazing with the kids that go there.”
Rayah smiled. “Tell me more.”
Jake looked over to the bar, sensing something there that he needed to be aware of. He was right; Lainey was there with her sister, just wearing skinny jeans and a sweater, which most of the female audience would be wearing tonight, only she made it look different. Better.
It would be better on his bedroom floor.
Maybe she was an itch that he hadn’t scratched properly. Maybe it was because she presented a challenge – she’d made it clear that was it. Maybe it was because he hadn’t met anyone like her before and she intrigued him.
“No. I know you get on with her. I’m not humouring you on this.” He stood up. “Jonny’s here. I’m going to get the beers in.”
“Yeah, right. You want to talk to Lainey.” Rayah shook her head.
Jake just grinned.
Imogen madeway for him to stand between them at the bar, looking him up and down hard enough to make him feel like he was a slab of meat.
Jake eyeballed her, hoping to make her squirm at least, but she just giggled.
“I’m starting to think small town men look better than city boys.”
“Thanks for that evaluation.” He frowned. “See anyone here who takes your fancy?”
Imogen gave a smile that could’ve won her first place in a beauty pageant. “I’m going to go sit with your sister. Mine’s a paloma when you order.”
“Any time.”
He watched her wander over to Rayah, leaving him with Lainey. “What’s a paloma?” He looked at her, noticing that her hair was down and shiny, the long blonde waves straightened. He expected that her sister had something to do with the effort that she’d made. He’d seen Lainey in Scott’s bar many times before, and she rarely had her hair down.
He wondered what it would be like spread across his pillow.
“It’s Immy’s new favourite cocktail and possibly the reason why your cousin’s going to get put in jail for murder.” She nodded over to where Imogen was chatting ten to the dozen with Rayah.
“It doesn’t take much to push Scott over the edge. What’s she done?” Jake braced himself for having to pick up some pieces.
Lainey shrugged. “She’s micromanaged him making the perfect paloma. Imogen can’t let anyone do anything by themselves if she thinks she can help.”
Jake looked at his cousin, who only looked mildly harassed – his normal state. “He’ll cope. How’s Rex after his ride?”
She gestured to Abby for the same round of drinks again. “Chomping at the bit to get out again. He loved letting lose on that ride back.”
“I could tell. Was that the first time you’d properly let him run?”
