“Oh!” Ava’s grin turned mischievous. Cherisse braced for more news she wasn’t going to like. “Mummy’s in matchmaker mode, just FYI. She’s evaluating all the eligible bachelors here and definitely made one of her pros and cons lists in her head. Avoid her if you can.”

Oh no, things could get worse. Her mother acted as if Cherisse being single was a personal offense to her. She and a handful of her aunts were always bringing it up in casual conversation. Cherisse wrinkled her nose. “She didn’t put Keiran on that list, did she?”

Ava laughed. “Unlikely. You know she thinks he’s bad news. He may be the only single man here not included on her list.”

Bad news, indeed. Cherisse had been around enough music industry guys and had even dated one to believe that. There were also tons of rumors swirling around about Keiran. Cherisse wouldn’t put any of those things past him. Being with Sean had brought her into his circle, and she’d seen and heard some shit and had foolishly thought her ex was different. She still frequented those circles sometimes because of clients, but she tended to stay clear of any advances from the men. Been there, done that, had the emotional scars to show for it. Do not repeat was her mantra where men in that industry were concerned.

“How do you know he’s single?”

Ava’s smile was enigmatic. “I know things.” But it was obvious she’d know from Eric. Cherisse didn’t give a damn about Keiran’s love life but thank God for small mercies. Her mother would never dream to put Keiran on her radar.

Although she wasn’t certain, which was worse: knowing she’d be seeing way too much of Keiran, or that her mother had now made it her mission to set her up with a bunch of men.

Fuck her life.

Chapter 2

Keiran

“THIS IS REALLY DELICIOUS. You should try it.”

Keiran ignored his sister. She’d been pushing the cupcakes on him since Remi had announced they were available for devouring. Clearly, their twin connection was broken because Maxine should sense that Keiran wanted no part of the damn cupcakes. Guests scarfed the treats down like they were the last bit of dessert left in the world. He’d refused, for the simple reason that it annoyed Cherisse. He’d felt her eyes on him as he snubbed the cakes.

He continued to amuse himself by remembering how Cherisse had lost her cool earlier. The perfectly put-together Sugar Queen unraveling right before his eyes was satisfying. Petty of him, but hilarious, all the same. Keiran hadn’t set out to tease to the point of that explosion, but her displeasure over him being the best man had annoyed him more than he’d let on.