“I know.” Her gaze travels to the staircase that leads to the beach below. “I’ve even thought about having the stairs replaced. Stupid, right?”
Her falling down those stairs was the start of my downward spiral, and I’m not fond of them, either. I kneel in front of her and grab both her hands.
“I’m no one to judge. Do what brings you peace.”
“Don’t mind me. I’m an emotional wreck from this pregnancy.” She pulls her hands away and stands up. “You don’t look so hot yourself. What’s up?”
Drew comes through the slider before I’m forced to spill about the source of my agony.
“Hey, kiddo. Did you have a good time?”
“The best, except Uncle Tug’s girlfriend went all crazy at dinner because the waitress spilled drinks on her. She called me an F-word brat and asked if I was retarded.”
“Oh, really?” Tori gives me a stern look. “What else?”
“Davey tossed her out of the restaurant. That part was cool.”
Tori laughs. “I see. Why don’t you go inside and get a snack, and I’ll be in in a minute.”
“Adult conversation time,” Drew whines.
“Yes, now go.”
Once Drew is inside, I say, “Don’t freak out.”
“Surprisingly, I’m not. I can tell you feel bad by how bent you look. Girlfriend, huh?”
“Kind of.”
“Uh, she either is or isn’t.”
If I tell her the truth, I’m going to get a lecture, but hell, if I say Larissa’s my girlfriend, I’ll still get a lecture.
“It’s a business arrangement,” I admit.
“You might want to elaborate.” She sits back down in the chair, and I know there’s no getting out of this.
“The board isn’t happy with my behavior. It looks good to be out with a ‘girlfriend’ for dinner a few nights a week.”
Her mouth opens as she stares at me in shock. “You’re totally kidding me, right? Is there a camera somewhere? Are we on some reality show?”
Now that she’s put it that way, the arrangement does seem pretty comical. “I’m dead serious.”
“So you don’t have any feelings for this girl?” I shake my head. “Then why do you look so down?”
“Maria was the waitress,” I mumble, and look away.
“Oh. Brady to
ld me they hired her. That must have been awkward.”
“You have no idea, but she was ready to throw down when Larissa laid into Drew.”
“I’m liking Maria more and more.”
I smile big — too big — and she notices.
“Oh, and I’m guessing so do you.”