Becky glared at her friend. “You don’t even know what you’re talking about!”

Celeste raised a brow. “You’re not as slick as you think.”

While the two bickered, the other friend, a tall, slim woman with short, tight curls and deep brown skin, watched on with glee. This seemed to be a routine of sorts. Keiran wondered if he could slip away as the two women went back and forth. He didn’t want to be collateral damage if stuff started getting thrown around.

“So, how’s it going?”

He latched onto the voice like his last lifeline. At this point, he didn’t care if he was being rude. He didn’t know these women—would probably never seen them again, if he was lucky. He sprang to his feet, hooked his arm with Cherisse’s, tossed back an “Excuse me,” and towed her away. By the time they’d left the table behind, she was gasping for breath, she was laughing so hard.

“You ditched me!”

Hand pressed to her mouth, a loud snort escaped. “You said you’d be fine. My God, your face. Priceless. Just...” She snickered loudly. “Fucking priceless. I wished I’d captured it. This was a great idea. You distracted them so much they didn’t even badger me about my love life or give me life advice or anything. They basically forgot I was here. Thank you. I should bring you to things like this more often.”

“There will never be another opportunity like this,” he vowed.

“Never say never. I mean, if you’re looking for a sugar mama at any time, Becky’ll be happy to oblige.” Cherisse winked.

“I’m good, thanks.” He narrowed his eyes. “Were you really that pissed about Jello? That’s the height of pettiness. Leaving me at their mercy.” He tried to muster a scowl, but it was pointless. Cherisse’s laugh was too contagious, and the bright yellow bunnies angling forward and back from the springs that were attached to her headband made it even more difficult to maintain a frown. She’d chosen the headwear to match her sunny yellow dress.

God, she’s adorable. It was like a punch to the gut. Her smile, her everything.

“This has nothing to do with Jello.” She didn’t bother to keep a straight face. She pressed her lips together, but it was useless. “What?” Her laughter died off as she swiped her hand beneath her eyes. She’d been laughing to the point of tears. “You’re looking at me funny. Do I have something on my face?”

Yeah, your smile. It takes my goddamn breath away, was what he wanted to say. But of course, he didn’t. They were being cordial, even teasing each other in non-vicious ways, but a truce could only withstand so much.

“No, but you do have something funny on your head.” He went with the safer option. When in doubt, joke it out.

She looked pointedly at his head. “Ahem.”

She had him there. Laney had chosen one of the more ridiculous hats out of the box, claiming that as it was his first time at one of her events, it was the host’s choice. He currently rocked a giant top hat with glittery eggs, a bird’s nest, yellow baby chicks sporting bow ties and glasses, and tiny bunnies on the brim.