Maybe this won’t be so impossible after all.
“Ford,” I repeat under my breath. Turning back to Mr. Conspiracy, I add, “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
A gaggle of girls surrounds the youngest Harden brother.
I’m not surprised. I can almost feel his charisma from here.
Forcing my legs to move, I step around another pretty brunette and paste on a smile, waiting to be addressed as if I’m in line to meet a famous person. Then again, Ford Harden is famous. Locally, anyway. Or maybe not? Maybe the Harden name reaches far and wide, and a Drift-grown girl like me can only imagine how much weight the Harden name carries. Regardless, he’s like royalty, along with the rest of his brothers,so I guess I’m not too far off-base. And here I am, about to ask him for a favor. A massive favor.
Yeah, this is totally going to blow up in my face.
If he sees me, he doesn’t show it. Nope. He’s zeroed in on a gorgeous blonde with curves for miles. Honestly, I’m a little impressed. Not by the girl’s curves—okay, I’m impressed with those, too—but with how easily Ford ignores everyone else in the room. Pretty sure he’s planning to get laid, and by the look on the girl’s face, I’m going to bet he has nothing to worry about. If only that was the wager I was here to make. She looks like she’s on cloud nine just by being in the same vicinity of this guy. If the situation were any different, I’d turn on my heel and leave them to it. Problem is, I’m not here to mingle. I’m here to get my money back, and the only way I can do it is to interrupt the flirt-fest unfolding in front of me.
Perfect.
I clear my throat as he goes in for the kill, about to kiss the bombshell blonde in the middle of this very crowded room. If he hears me, it doesn’t stop him. Seriously, this guy is the king of ignoring me. He kisses her deeply, playing tonsil hockey as he snakes his arm around her waist.
Okay, now this is just awkward.
I clear my throat a little louder, but hestilldoesn’t acknowledge me.
Seriously?
“Excuse me!” I call out.
He lifts his hand with his middle finger raised into the air, flipping me off without bothering to tear his mouth from hers.
I repeat,perfect.
Come on, Violet.
“I hate to interrupt,” I say, “but I’d like to discuss a bet?”
With a groan, Ford lifts his head from the girl but doesn’t concern himself with looking me in the eye as he tucks hisconquest’s hair behind her ear. “I’m not taking any more bets tonight?—”
“I know, but?—”
“Find me later.”
“You don’t understand,” I push.
He drops his hand to his side and sighs. “Duty calls,” he tells his makeout buddy. “Give me two seconds.”
Her bottom lip juts out, but she doesn’t argue as Ford rolls his head toward me. “All right, you win. What do you want?”
“There was a, uh,…” I gulp, surprised by how difficult it is to hold the man’s gaze now that he’s finally gracing me with his attention. Seriously, are the man’s eyes made of emeralds? They’re so hard and bright, they’re practically glowing. I look at his chin instead.Focus.“There was a problem with a bet?”
“Problem?” he challenges as if I’ve personally offended him. Then again, maybe I have. He clearly takes his job seriously, and I just shit all over it. Not exactly a great way to butter him up in hopes of convincing the guy to give me my money back, now is it?
“Not on your end,” I rush out. “You see, it’s…it’s…”
“What’s the name?”
I force myself to look him in the eye again. “Name?”
“Well, since I don’t recognize you, I’m gonna assume we’re not discussing a bet you placed yourself.”
