A laughing Nat chokes out, “See!” I tighten my hold on her a wee bit harder and she cackles. “Get the fuck off me, bitch!”
From somewhere behind me, Lola singsongs, “Helena, I can see your undies!”
Trick mumbles in a daze, “You don’t see a lot of women wearing those types of undies.”
Then I hear him. “Dude, I said the same thing.”
I hear Ash grumble, “When’d you see her undies?”
Max responds without thought, “I’ve seen ‘em a few times now.”
As Nat pushes me off her, I look up in time to see Ash pounce on Max, catching him in a headlock. Ash hisses, “I’m gonna kick your ass!”
But Max chokes out an amused, “It was worth it!”
Ash releases Max and pushes him away. “You’re not worth ten-to-life.”
Nat stands then helps me up. Nik asks, “You serious about working here?”
Max cuts in with a surprised, “What?”
I nod, panting from exertion. Choking your sister is hard work. “Yeah, I need the money.”
Max asks a confused, “You need the money?”
Nik nods, smiling. “You’re hired.” He takes his black badge from around his neck and places it around mine. “I don’t think you need an orientation. Your pay is thirty-six an hour and you’ll work four hours a night, Saturdays only, for now. How’d you like that?”
I’m astounded. “I dig it.”
Max stands in front of me, looking pissed. “You need money and you didn’t tell me?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course I need money. I’m a human living in New York.” I narrow my brows at him. “What’s all th
is attitude about? I thought I was going to be kissed and hugged and squeezed and all that jazz.”
His face softens. “Come here.” I walk into his open arms, sliding my arms around him, and he wraps me up tight, running a hand up and down my back. Burying his nose into my neck, he mutters, “This dress.”
I grin, asking innocently, “What about it?”
He nips my neck. “You’re killing me, cupcake. I have to work while you’re wearing this. Fucking torture.”
Mimi snorts. “First, you don’t like him, and now you can’t keep your hands off him!”
Max lifts his head from my neck, catching my mouth in a firm kiss before turning me in his arms so I can face the crowd. Lola smiles at us and coos. “You guys! Adorable, I swear.” Playing with her straw, she asks curiously, “C’mon, Helena. Tell us why you didn’t like Max. I’m dying to know.”
Max grunts, “You’re not the only one,” and I elbow him in the gut. He flinches then lets out an outraged, “What?”
I open my mouth to refuse them, but Felicity’s already there. She laughs out loud. “Oh man. It’s a doozy.”
Nat gasps. “You know?” She turns to me. “Why does she know? You never told me.”
I open my mouth to speak a second time, but it’s too late. Felicity utters, “Well, it all happened at your wedding. I’m surprised you don’t know.”
I lean over to Flick and hiss, “Shut. Up!”
Max covers my mouth with his hand, urging her on. “No, no! Don’t stop. I want to know!”
So she begins, “Well, Helena had here eye on Max from the very first time she saw him.”