The blonde laughs suddenly. “Well now that makes a lot more sense.”
“Does it?”
She nods enthusiastically. “I’ve heard about you.”
I stare at her. “You have?”
She grins and sticks out her hand. “I’m Bella.”
I shake it automatically. “Rae.”
“Oh I know.”
The brunette snorts beside her. Bella jerks her thumb toward her.
“This is Brooke, my sister.”
Brooke lifts her drink slightly. “Nice to finally meet the girl driving Ghost crazy.”
I blink again. “Excuse me?”
Bella leans against the bar like she’s settling in for a story.
“My husband is Switch,” she explains casually. “And Switch talks. A lot. Especially when he’s home after church.”
Something in my stomach flips. “Your husband is Switch.”
“Yep.” She grins wider.
“And according to him, Ghost is completely obsessed with you.”
I stare at her. Then at Brooke. Then back at Bella. “You’re kidding.”
“Oh honey,” Brooke laughs. “Not even a little.”
Bella grabs my arm suddenly. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Girls’ corner.”
“What?”
She drags me across the bar before I can argue. The back corner of Perdition has a big semi-circle booth that’s clearly been claimed by the women in the room. A couple other women are already sitting there laughing about something when Bella pulls me into the empty seat between them.
“Ladies,” Bella announces, “this is Rae.”
One of them leans forward immediately. “The Rae?”
I groan. “Please don’t say that.”
Too late. Another woman slides a drink in front of me. “Drink.”
I glance down at it. “What is this?”
“Something strong.”
“Good.” I take a sip. Then another. Because if I’m about to sit here listening to stories about how apparently my life has become clubhouse gossip, I’m going to need it. Within twenty minutes the entire table is laughing.
