“Trying to put Connor in his place is rather crazy,” Hailey mused, rocking her head from side to side. “The guy is scary.” She jerked her head in his direction. “His nickname is Killer Whale.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. That guy's not scary. Global warming is scary. So if Connor moonlights as a greenhouse effect, I’ll reconsider if I’m scared.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Izzie replied tartly. “Being a divorce lawyer for Hollywood stars and starlets is way more lucrative than being a greenhouse effect.”
“The point is,” Rachel continued, rolling her eyes, “just because someone can scream doesn’t make them threatening, Hailey. It simply makes them more prone to hoarseness.”
Tara laughed. “I like you. This is going to be fun.”
“It’s going to be stressful!” Izzie countered with a sigh.
“Yeah, but the fun kind of stressful.”
“You don’t have to work with the guy!” Izzie grimaced, and that expression… Rachel studied her counterpart closer. She had dark brown eyes and an expressive face…
“You look familiar,” Rachel said slowly.
Izzie rolled her eyes, while Tara chuckled softly and whispered, “Your purple hair doesn’t fool anyone!”
“Yeah, yeah. Okay. I might have been a little famous for a short while.” She waved her hand. “Nothing worth mentioning. I was a star on a children’s show…”
Then it clicked. “Oh my God, yes! You’re Sahara! From: Better Listen to Sahara!”
“No, I’m Izzie, the woman who is telling you to shut up. I’m a private investigator, not an actress or a singer. I find dirt on people, and I don’t let anyone write about me anymore! And I’ll make sure neither of you cheats.” She waggled her index finger in Rachel’s face.
“I don’t plan on it, so there’s no need.”
A sharp crease appeared between Izzie’s eyebrows. “Think so, huh? Then let me give you some advice: Don’t underestimate Connor. I know he’s a little too intense, too harsh, easily gets worked up, and can effortlessly come across as an asshole, but shit, the guy’s smart. And ambitious. He’s got a six-pack, two sisters who taught him how to handle women, and he can be charming. So make an effort.”
Charming? Connor? In his dreams. And so what, he had a six-pack! That didn’t interest…anyone. Hot, rich, smart men with killer smiles were a breed no woman liked!
Shit. She had a problem.
“Okay. I will,” she said firmly.
“Fantastic.” Izzie nodded curtly and disappeared back to Connor’s table.
“She means well,” Tara said. “She’s also a bit intense and direct. That’s why she gets along so well with Connor. So, what do you want to drink?”
“Gin Buck, but with Hendricks, not Bombay?”
“Ah, a connoisseur, all right.” Tara laughed and strolled back to the bar.
Rachel watched her go before her gaze briefly flicked back to Izzie. Then she exhaled deeply. “Man. You all are…an intense bunch.”
“Warm and wonderful, you mean,” Maddie corrected, laughing. “We just get up in each other's grills because all our businesses are next to each other, we compete with the Santa Monica Pier, and we like to help each other out. And you’re officially a member now. You work with us and live on the same street as Tara and Connor. So, welcome!”
Maddie’s last words were a squeal of joy that numerous dolphins would surely appreciate, so Rachel couldn’t help but smile. She’d had friends in Chicago, many other therapists she’d gotten along with really well. And Maya had been her bestfriend since college. But Maya had lived thousands of miles away in Eden Bay and…it was nice to belong. To meet people who welcomed you warmly even though they didn’t even know you yet. The desire for social acceptance was deeply ingrained in every human being. That was why humans preferred harmony to conflict.
Her gaze wandered to the divorce lawyer who was toasting his smiling date, and she frowned. Well, most of them did.
“Okay,” Matt mumbled, pulling the cocktail from Maddie’s hand and taking three large sips.
“What are you doing?” Rachel’s sister asked accusingly.
“I’m finishing your cocktail. Adding alcohol, caffeine, and sugar to your current state of mind seems grossly negligent.”
“Keep your hands off my sugar! I’m just happy our family is finally complete again and we’re a fantastic team tonight. Connor wins way too often. But tonight, Jesus Quiztus’ Lawyers can pack up because Bedtime Game Night is going to destroy them!”
