“Come on, Barry. You know better than tackling people.”
Garrick pulls Barry off me, and I get to my feet. There’s mud on my blouse and I’m sure my hair is a wreck, and I hate Garrick Evergreen and his giant stupid dog. “That animal is a menace and a liability. It could have killed me.” Although, now that it’srestrained and panting up at me, I have to admit, it’s pretty damn cute.
Said dog strains against Garrick’s hold on it like it wants to knock me down and lick me some more.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Garrick says. “She just hates demons.”
“Keep her on a leash. I’m amazed she hasn’t injured one of your clients.”
He narrows his eyes. “My clients adore Barry. Everyone adores Barry. Don’t go getting any ideas about calling in animal control.”
I swipe at my slacks, now covered in dog fur. “Train your dog, Evergreen, and I won’t have to.”
Before my plan to get revenge on Garrick can backfire any more horribly, I hurry back out the way I came in.
***
“Seriously, Cherry,” I say as she parks in front of my mother’s house, which was Peach’s house until she moved in with Nick last summer. Now, it’s Mom’s house and I have to visit her because my sister asked nicely. “The venue they’ve chosen isn’t going to work. Do you or Xavier know anyone who can tell Peach that without it looking like we’re involved?”
Cherry puts the car in park and turns in her seat. She cups my face in her hands and stares into my eyes. “I know you’re doing this out of love, cousin, but if you don’t back off, you are going to lose Peach. You have to let her make her own decisions and only give advice when it’s asked for.”
I know she’s trying to help, but she doesn’t understand. Like Peach, Cherry’s a younger sister. “She doesn’t always know what’s best for herself, Cherry. It’s my job to step in and help.”
“That has been your job for years,” Cherry says gently. “But things have changed.” She lets go of my face. “You have to learn to change, too.” She’s got tiny candy-cane shaped hair clips allover her thick hair and she’s wearing tights under her heavy winter coat, so she’s definitely wearing a dress. Cherry doesn’t leave her house unless she’s dressed for a party.
I used to be the same about fashion. Now, I’m in sensible slacks, snow boots, and my warmest winter coat because I want to look professional in case I’m spotted by a board member. Well, that and I’m too overworked and tired to be fashionable.
I’m not sure who I am anymore.
What if I don’t know who I am if I’m not my sister’s protector?
“Hey.” Cherry’s eyes brighten. “I heard Garrick acted like a jealous boyfriend at Jack Frost the other night. What’s going on there?”
“Nothing. He was pissed he didn’t get a permit he wanted, and he blamed me.” I drop my head into my hands. “The truth is, no one in the mayor’s office or on the council wants to do anything that makes me look good or helps me in any way.” My throat tightens and my chest aches.
Cherry rubs my back. “I had no idea.”
I lift my head and look at my favorite cousin. “I was hoping I could turn things around before anyone had to know, but unless things change, I’m not going to be mayor much longer and everyone will know how I failed.”
“Blue Porter has never failed at anything. Why didn’t you tell us? Xavier and I can help.”
“I don’t need help. I’ll figure this out, or I’ll get voted out of office and move back to Vegas. Either way, I can handle it.”
Cherry grabs my shoulders and shakes me so hard my teeth rattle. “Stop that. Xavier and I know a lot of people in this town. Tell us what your vision is for the town or whatever. You are not doing this alone.”
I can’t handle her helping me in the same conversation where she’s telling me I have to stop helping Peach. “I tried to getGarrick back for clit-blocking me by switching out his sandwich for a PB and mayo, but he caught me.”
She lets go of my shoulders. “Oh, I heard about that, too. According to Murphy Mae, the two of you were very close and the sexual tension was so thick it was attracting bears.”
I snort a laugh. “There was zero sexual attraction, believe me.” At least on Garrick’s side. “We were only close because Garrick had me pinned while he decided whether to kill me or just torture me. And bears are not attracted by human lust.”
Her eyes get misty. “I knew it, Blue. I knew when you fell, you’d fall harder than me or Peach.”
I stare at her. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not falling for anyone.”
She boops my nose with one manicured finger. “Enemies-to-lovers. I so called it.”
“You didn’t call anything—”
