“With Tyler Gray. Some boring finance guy your mother thinks would make a suitable husband because he’s loaded,” Remi so helpfully replied. “Who also finds the idea of Carnival to be a stain on our dear islands?”

Reba gasped dramatically, looking ready to keel over at that little nugget of information. “He dissed Carnival, and you’re still going out with him? You love Carnival! How the heck did this date even happen?”

How indeed? Cherisse loved a good party occasionally, and Carnival when she managed to secure a free costume, but that was mostly because networking for business was essential. She found most of her clients by referrals, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have to sell her brand herself. Getting contracts to cater fancy all-inclusive parties and Carnival fetes, high-end weddings, and corporate events didn’t happen just by word of mouth. She needed to be visible and sell herself as a sought-after pastry chef to the stars. Of course, she took jobs from anyone, not just those in a higher income bracket, but it didn’t hurt when she secured a wealthy client. Bills didn’t pay themselves. So, she had to go where the local celebs went while not earning herself a reputation as a wild party girl but someone who happened to know the right people.

“He’s very nice to look at.” It was the truth. Tyler’s monotone voice didn’t take away from his good looks. It couldn’t hurt to give him a chance, could it? Besides, he had a nice, safe, boring career, nothing close to the entertainment industry like a certain Mr. King.

She needed safe in her life right now.

After Sean, Cherisse had steered clear of men in the music industry, keeping any relationships she formed there strictly about her business. As much as she hated to even consider it, dating Tyler could help distance her from Sean and his shit. He didn’t seem the type to create a scandal, and she didn’t need another one of those. Ever.

The buzz of guests entering the cocktail reception prompted them to shift gears into professional mode.

“Hottie nemesis alert,” Remi whispered, and Cherisse tensed. Surely they could be civil here, surrounded by all these people. She wasn’t worried about him so much. She couldn’t seem to control her damn mouth when Keiran was around.

Reba craned her neck to see, eyes following Remi’s jutted chin movements. “Oh. My.”

Cherisse refused to look. But even with her back turned, she knew Keiran had come up behind her. He just exuded this ‘I’m here to ruin your day’ vibe. She refused to allow him to do just that, especially already being on edge at possibly seeing Sean.

“Keiran.” Remi’s voice lost all its warmth. She’d joked about him earlier, but right now, her tone could freeze the entire room and its guests. Cherisse could always count on her to go into protective bestie mode.

“Wow.” Reba’s was filled with awe and amusement.

Cherisse considered keeping her back to him forever. Almost said fuck it, but she had to be the effervescent Sugar Queen they all knew her to be. The pressure to keep up appearances was real and fucking exhausting. Always needing to be “on” because of those damn bills. Adulting was the ultimate scam. She wouldn’t let Keiran make her act a fool. She pasted on her best smile and turned to face one of the two men she would trip down the stairs and feel no regrets.