A Sinful Trap (Three Sinful Wishes 2)

When she reached them, Dani immediately stood to hug her side and Kaya, who was already sitting, caught the kiss she threw with a small smile. They weren’t hugging friends, mostly because of the psychic thing. Kaya wasn’t just an everyday reader of cards or runes. She had some foresight, some gut feelings and dreams, as well as a growing gift of tactile telepathy. She always had it to a degree, but lately, when she was in the zone, she could basically read a person as soon as she touched them.

Bailey had a few things she’d like to keep to herself. Most people did, including Kaya.

“Sorry we’re late.” Kaya reached for the glass of water the waitress, Flora, set in front of her. “Did Benny get our order? I’m starving.”

“He did,” Bailey said. Liam was standing behind Dani’s chair, looking uncertain, so she added, “Liam will be joining us at the girl talk and lady luncheon today, because he needs an excuse to get away from Jace and Nick.”

Dani pulled out a chair for him and Kaya waved him toward it.

“They’re still here?” she asked with an irritated sigh. “Yes, please sit with us. No one deserves that kind of punishment.”

“Bless you all for the release from purgatory. Pretend I’m not here.” Liam toasted them with his beer and took a grateful sip while Dani leaned her head on his shoulder.

As soon as lunch was delivered—coconut shrimp for Dani, margarita nachos for Kaya and Liam, and a mini lobster burger, Benny’s specialty, for Bailey—the real grilling began. They wanted details, so Bailey started at the beginning, with her embarrassing introduction to her new boss.

Five minutes later, the two of them were still cracking up between delicious bites.

“You can stop anytime now, ladies.” Bailey dipped a fry in the lemon aioli butter and sighed. “One of you is going to need the Heimlich if you keep it up, and I won’t be available.”

It was nice to see Kaya laugh, even if it was at her expense. It had been a while.

“At least Liam still respects me,” she added.

He took a quick drink of his beer to hide his smile, but his laughter formed revealing bubbles in his pint.

“Children,” she muttered, grinning in spite of herself.

“I respect you so much,” he choked out, wiping the foam from his upper lip. “Especially if it means you won’t send me back to the bar.”

“You’re always welcome, angel food.” She blew him a kiss and munched on another fry. “I’m in thrall to your barbecue charms. That and your skills with a fondue pot are why I will always love you and fight for visiting rights after I break up with my two besties.”

“I’ll stop,” Dani swore, using her napkin to wipe away her tears. “Please don’t break up with us.”

“I’ll think about it,” Bailey said neutrally, though there was no reality where that would actually happen. As long as they would put up with her, they were stuck with her for life. Family in everything but blood.

Getting to know people was a survival skill Bailey had perfected as a homeless teen. But letting down her guard and allowing anyone to know her in return had always been the heavier lift. These two women had snuck in under her radar and made a home in the part of her heart that had been closed for business since her mother left. She’d do anything for them.

“We are sorry.” Kaya pushed her long dark hair over her shoulder, her smile lingering as she visibly fought for control. “It was the delivery that got me. Dangling from the attic in your superhero undies.”

“Boxers.”

“That’s the kind of thing that usually happens to me,” Dani said, shaking her head as if baffled. “Although, I can picture you shamelessly staring him down after you fell on him. That’s totally your style.”

Bailey pretended to buff her nails and blow on them. “Shameless is my brand. Thank you for noticing.”

“It’s been a busy few days for you, hasn’t it?” Kaya asked with deceptive innocence. “New boss and new employees. New roof. New things you’re not telling us.”

Dani grinned. “I’m shocked. Are there things she’s not telling us?”

Bailey chomped a bite of her burger and glared at Kaya across the table as she chewed. “I hate it when you do that.”

“Yes, but you can’t say you didn’t expect it.”

“Eat your nachos, K,” she said petulantly.

She had been expecting it, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with the repercussions of filling them in. If the intensity of her connection to Cam and Davide scared her, how would her friends react to it?

Why couldn’t she stop thinking about them?

“How is Ava working out?” Liam asked after a moment of tense silence. “Everyone at the resort is jealous, in case you were wondering. We were hoping for a spot to open so we could get her in there, but your new boss snapped her right up.”