“Oh, he’d know.”
We bicker and banter our way to the restaurant, and it’s not until the waiter has left us with a very generous breadbasket and some ginger ale for the pregnant lady that she says, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“And you wondered why I suggested this restaurant. It’s ourbig shit goes downplace.”
She gives me a shrewd twin look. “It’s yourthis is the first place I ever kissed Colespot.”
There’s a little burning in my chest that suggests she called it in one. I didn’t even realize that was what was drawing me here until she said so.
“Yeah, I guess he’s on my mind. I mean, the man was impressively sick.”
Her brows lift. “Oh, and that’s all?”
“Yes, if you must know.”
“Did you go spoon-feed Mikey?”
“No, that’s all on Applejack. Or it will be once the launch is over.”
We’ve been planning a follow up with all the beta testers. The idea is to invite everyone to a rented conference center for interviews, free food, and a chance to meet their matches. I’ll even be conducting interviews, although I won’t be interviewing myself. You can bet your ass I’m going to have both eyes open wide to find Hot Rod so I can rip him a new one for being a tool.
Only…
I’m not so angry about that anymore. If anything, I’m curious from a technical point of view. I want to know what went wrong on his end. I already know what went wrong on mine.
Cole Garrison.
“Yeah, about that. Rory says no on the nametags someone suggested at the meeting. He’s worried someone will get pissed and make a scene.”
I laugh. “He was talking about me, wasn’t he? I just want to give Hot Rod a talking-to because science. It has nothing to do with him ghosting me.”
“No,” she says, giving me side-eye again. “You see, I have this little theory about you…and I think Rowan agrees.”
“What the hell?” I ask, feeling legitimately aggrieved by this. “You two have been discussing me?”
“You’re our sister,” she says. “Who else are we supposed to gossip about?”
“You have two others.”
“Yes, but Willow is happily engaged, and Ivy is off doing God knows what because she never calls us while she’s researching one of her books.”
I accede the point with a nod. “Okay, how aboutMatchmaking the Rich? Our insane grandmother? Small Stuff? Harry moving in with Rowan and me? I can think of at least a dozen things. Maybe two.”
Bryn scowls, an expression I know well and love little. It’s a determined look, meaning she won’t be backing down. “I couldn’t give two shits aboutMatchmaking the Rich. That woman’s going to reap what she sows.”
I’m curious about whether Rowan told her about his vendetta against the show, but I decide against it. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be thanking me for tattling.
“Maybe,” I say. “So far, being Satan’s handmistress has worked out pretty well for her.”
“Handmistress?” she says dubiously.
I burst out laughing. “I don’t actually know what that means.”
The waiter comes back around, bringing me my sandwich and sweet potato fries and Bryn her cobb salad. The fries smell decadent.
“Back to my question,” Bryn says.
I’d prefer to eat my lunch in peace. Except there’s a weird excitement in my stomach, like when I’ve downed a soda water too fast. It’s almost as if I want to talk about Cole.
