Figures.
I studied him for a beat. "So you're just here for the show?"
"What?" He tried for a laugh. "There's no show. I don't know what you mean."
Bullshit."Is that so?'
He didn't answer. But judging from his expression, he knew exactly what I meant.
I waited.Then say something, asshole.
Or at the very least, the guy could have the decency to step up for the woman he'd come in with – if only to spare Maisie from whatever showdown these two dipshits had hatched between them.
But the guy didn't step up. He just stood there, doing his best impression of a coat rack with better hair.
I kept waiting, aware of Maisie nestled against me, nice and tight, as if we had something real. I was liking it more than I should have – even when she surprised the hell out of me by blurting out, "Oh, my God!"
We all looked.
With her free hand, Maisie pointed at the blonde. "Sierra."
The blonde froze in mid-smirk. "What?"
Maisie gave a little laugh. "That's your name."
Through gritted teeth, the blonde said, "Iknowit's my name."
"Yeah, butIdidn't," Maisie said.
"Oh, please." The blonde gave a toss of her hair. "Like I'm gonna fall forthatone." Her tone was confident, but her eyes weren't so sure.
I spoke up. "So you're calling my girl a liar?"
The blonde – aka Sierra – looked seriously miffed. "I never said that. I'm just finding it hard to believe that she forgot me so fast."
Maisie made a scoffing sound. "I didn't forgetyou. I just forgot your name."
"Oh, really?" Sierra smirked. "Fine. I'll play along. What did you think it was?"
"Ummm…" Maisie winced. "Centipede?"'
A silence fell. Somewhere outside, a bicycle bell gave a cheerful little ding.
But here in the shop, the silence held until the blonde started to sputter. "Are you freaking serious?"
"Hey, it wasn't myfirstguess," Maisie said. "I had other ones, too."
"Oh, I bet," Sierra said, hoisting her purse higher on her shoulder. "Anyway, we should probably get going."
I looked to the guy. "Yeah. You should."And don't let the door hit you on the ass.
A moment later, they were gone. No fuss. No muss. No further drama. But if I were a betting man, I'd put serious money on them coming back.
And for some reason, I didn't like it.
28
You Owe Me
