Just like Erin did, falling for that jackass. Just like I did when I let her get away without telling me what happened between them. Or finding out whether we could salvage our relationship.
“How’s Abby doing without her?” He arches his eyebrows.
“Better than me.” She’s so resilient. First her mother leaves and now Erin, and somehow her little heart keeps going when mine just wants to stop. “Her mother got in touch with my lawyer, actually. She wants to see Abby. On my terms, of course. Supervised visitation to start with.”
“How do you feel about that?” Paynt squeezes my shoulder.
“I feel like I wish Erin was around to tell me what to do.” Below us a man emerges from inside the white tent in the center of the yard. He swaggers toward Ronnie, giving her a smile that irritates the hell out of me. “Danny? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Yeah, that’s the kid Erin suggested Ronnie get to help.”
I didn’t think he’d do it. I didn’t expect him to show up after everything. I bound down the stairs and strike out in his direction. A spark of hope blooms in my chest.
“How about we get a drink after we finish here? All this wedding prep is thirst-building business. I know this great sports bar,” Danny is saying to Ronnie. My sister is leaning over, tying a giant ribbon to the back of a white garden chair, and Erin’s ridiculous friend has his gaze glued on her ass.
I clip him across the back of his head. “Don’t look at my sister like that.”
“Ouch.” He cringes and rubs at the back of his head. “You’re still as pleasant as ever.”
“More so. Where is she? Where’s Erin?”
“Like I’d tell you.” He rolls his gaze. “You didn’t appreciate what you had.”
“Don’t you think I need to tell her that face to face?” I implore him. “At least give me the chance to let her know she doesn’t have to hide from me. I know all about Peter Wilkins.”
He crosses his arms and lifts his shoulders. “I saw your press conference. I suppose I gotta say thanks for getting that asshole off her back.”
“So tell me where she is,” I snap.
“No, G-man. I’m not going to do that.” He grins at my sister, following her across the lawn with his gaze. “Your sister is hot.”
“Are you going to try to steal her like you did my tux?”
“Maybe.” He winks. “Probably more like the condoms. Although I sure as hell don’t plan on letting you see me in her.”
“Fuck. That’s disgusting.” I almost gag.
“What are you two talking about?” Ronnie joins us.
“I was just telling Garrett that I’m enjoying letting you boss me around.” Danny smirks. “Nothing better than being ordered around by a sexy older woman.”
“Oh.” Ronnie glances at me for confirmation that she did hear him correctly.
“You’re in for it now,” I tell him.
“Oh sweetie, you have no idea what to do with a woman like me. This smile of yours, it probably does most of the work for you when it comes to women your own age, doesn’t it?” She smiles at him, moving closer so she can pat his cheek. “I don’t think you have the stamina or the drive that I need in a boy toy. You should probably stick to twenty-year-olds.” She gives him a pitying look. “Women with low expectations, yeah?”
“God, Ronnie.” I still need Danny to tell me where Erin is, and my sister flirting with him is something that should never, ever happen.
“Wow.” Danny rubs at the spot on his face where Ronnie’s hand was as she walks away. “Your sister—”
“Don’t say it,” I warn him. “Just. Don’t. Tell me where Erin is.”
“Why? So you can not tell her how you feel about her? So she can make you look good in front of the cameras? Or so you can keep paying her to look after your kid while she’s sleeping in your bed?”
“Fuck no.” I growl at him. “First thing I’m going to do is fire her.”
