The Charmer (Harbor City 2)

“If you two are done flirting,” Felicia said with a huff. “I’d like to get this settled. Tyler, I’ll meet you down in your apartment in a little bit.”

The other woman ducked under Tyler’s arm and strode into the apartment, swinging the door shut behind her. Tyler got his fingers out of the way just in time. Everly would have liked her if it wasn’t for the fact that Hudson was obviously in love with her and she’d stomped all over his heart to the point that he insisted on changing out the paintings for an entire show days before it was set to go on. Hudson was one of her oldest friends and—truth be told—one of only a few, which was why she’d been eating Tums like candy since he’d called with an update on the show tomorrow and asked for a favor that she definitely did not want to fulfill.

She eyeballed Felicia, giving her all the attitude she deserved. “Spit it out and leave.”

“I need you to make sure Hudson shows up for his show tomorrow,” Felicia said.

Now that was a record scratch moment. “His show?”

Felicia crossed her arms and gave as good a glare as she got. “I don’t have time to pretend. Just make sure he’s there.”

“Why should I?” Besides the fact that Hudson’s favor had been to make sure Felicia was there.

“Because I need to talk to him.”

“So go to his penthouse.” Like a normal person.

Her cheeks turned pink. “I can’t.”

“Why not?” Everly asked, actually curious.

The short brunette didn’t say anything at first, then let out a deep breath. “This is bigger than just showing up at his front door.”

“What, are you going to lay prostrate in front of him and beg his forgiveness for being a total bitch?” Because that is what she’d been. Hudson hadn’t told her everything Felicia had said, but he’d told her enough. The fact that the other woman hadn’t been totally wrong was the only reason Everly hadn’t told Hudson to check his head when he’d asked her to make sure Felicia was at the show.

“

Something like that.” Felicia turned away, glancing out the windows overlooking the park before turning back with tears in her eyes. “Because I love him and I was too dumb to tell him when I should have.”

It wasn’t an exact replica of what Hudson had told Everly, but it was close. “And if he doesn’t want to see you?”

“I can’t give up without a fight,” she said, sounding every bit as fierce as a woman in love needed to be to survive it.

“He’s worth fighting for?” Everly pushed, letting her voice soften just the slightest bit.

Felicia pushed up her glasses, set her shoulders, and looked her straight in the eye. “Without a doubt.”

Everly had enough experience being on the receiving end of some serious lies to know the difference. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.” She nodded and turned for the door.

Oh no, she wasn’t getting out of here that easily. “Hey, Felicia?”

“Yeah?” she asked, pivoting to face Everly.

She didn’t have brothers. Or sisters. Or very many friends. But she knew about loyalty and commitment. She knew the importance of people having your back—and she had Hudson’s. “Break his heart again, and I’ll break your face.”

Felicia grinned. “I’d expect nothing less.”

Then she walked out, still five-feet-nothing tall but looking a lot bigger.

Everly stared at her closed door for a minute, contemplating what was going to happen tomorrow night. If she were a nicer person, she would have told Felicia that Hudson had a surprise planned for her at the gallery and had begged her to make sure Felicia showed up. Of course, she’d probably still be living in that shithole apartment she’d grown up in if she’d been a nicer person. Plus, as one of Hudson’s closest friends, she wanted to see the woman who’d put him through the wringer dangled out there in uncertainty a while longer. What could she say, she was a bitch when it came to people who hurt those she loved.

She started back toward the kitchen, and her heels clicked on the wood floor. Stopping immediately, she started to take her shoes off, but then an image of Tyler’s cocky smirk flashed in her mind. Jerk. Hot jerk, but still a jerk. And a slow one. If he’d been faster on the uptake, he would have thought to include no more walking around in shoes as part of his little pot sweetener to talk to Felicia.

“Score one for me.”

She strutted across to the kitchen, letting her feet fall a little heavier than necessary. The answering thunk thunk of a broom handle banging against his ceiling did nothing but result in a satisfied smile curling her lips.