“No need, I’ve said all I need to say. Bye.” She hung up, and Dale pushed the box even closer to Keiran.

“Well? I’m not dead or rushing to the toilet yet, so either it’s slow-acting, or they’re fine.”

“No.” Keiran scowled at the damn things and shut the box lid, pushing them back over to Dale. “Let’s get back to work.”

He found his gaze sliding over to the distracting pink box as they worked. Perhaps he could take a nibble later after Dale was gone. Satisfy his curiosity. No one would know.

He jerked his stare away from the treats, realizing too late he’d had the chance to apologize to Cherisse and hadn’t taken it. He could call her back and do just that, but now, he was annoyed. He had no right to be, but the darn macarons taunted him. Even with their Go Fuck Yourself message, he kept wondering if they tasted as good as they looked. Dale’s chewing and moans of pleasure said they did, but Keiran refused to give in right now.

So he chose to be petty.

Chapter 6

Cherisse

BOOTLEGGERS WAS LOUD and packed; there was a rugby game going on. Cherisse wasn’t big on sports, but she could appreciate a bunch of fit guys aggressively running around on the screens that were littered throughout the bar. The appetizers were good, and the drinks were strong and tasty. That was all that mattered. The conversation was entertaining too.

Ladies’ night consisted of her, Ava, Remi, and Ava’s close friend and fellow teacher, Julia. There was some prime Keiran-bashing going on, and Cherisse was grateful her girls had her back. Not that she’d expected anything less, but it felt great to know they’d take Keiran to task on her behalf.

She’d baked her anger into those macarons, hoping to be in a better mood for tonight’s festivities, but it still lingered. The article played over and over in her mind. She’d memorized the entire thing already, having obsessively read and reread the offending words.

“Did you see this?” Remi pulled up an Instagram photo from Dale’s feed, showing a scowling Keiran next to Cherisse’s macaron message. “That caption, though.”

The caption under Dale’s photo made her laugh so loudly she almost snorted her martini through her nose.

When the sugar queen gets salty #dontmesswiththequeen #henotready #thatsmileyfacetho

“Accurate,” Ava said, giggling. “Best revenge. Simple yet effective. I told Eric to tell him to apologize to you, did he?” Ava swirled her Long Island with her straw. Cherisse could imagine her sister’s face when she’d laid down that proclamation. You messed with one Gooding sister, you were going to face the wrath of the other.

“No.” She wasn’t holding her breath for that apology.

This wedding made certain they couldn’t escape each other, so it would be best for everyone if he genuinely said sorry for the shitty joke. Cherisse told herself she didn’t even care, but the anger swirling in her chest said otherwise. But she could handle Keiran. She didn’t have to like him to survive this wedding. It would make things a lot easier, but once he fell in line with her plan, they’d pull off the best joint wedding shower ever.