Page 161 of Bang

After some not-so-friendly persuasion, Buster had told quite a story.

Apparently, Veronica had spotted the nanny-mobile while out Christmas shopping and had decided it would be hilarious to steal the vehicle – whether to make me look bad as revenge for the slapping incident, or because she wanted to scare me off so she could reclaim her old job.

Regardless of her motives, she obviously hadn't thought things through. For one thing, her accomplice was so idiotic, he couldn't even remember Willow's name, much less Mason's attitude toward anyone who messed with his family.

Sure,Iwasn't family. But Willow was.

And I was apparently her favorite nanny.

I guess that had to count for something, right?

As my thoughts churned with memories of Mason, I scanned the crowded nightclub in search of my friend. Finally, I spotted Livia near the main bar, surrounded by several admirers, including Chopped Liver – the guy from ourlastclub visit, back in September.

When Livia spotted me, she gave me a happy wave and set down her drink before heading in my direction, even as I waded through the crowd to meet her halfway.

After greeting me with a fierce hug, she pulled back to say, "So, you wanna hear my news?"

"Sure," I laughed. "I mean, that's the reason we're here, right?"

"Nah. That was just an excuse."

I wasn't following. "Sorry, what?"

In reply, she lifted her left hand and waggled her fingers. On her ring finger was a huge diamond ring. But that wasn't theonlysparkly thing I saw. She wasalsowearing an emerald ring on her pinkie and a giant sapphire on her index finger.

With a laugh, she said, "So…What do you think?"

If this were anyone but Livia, I'd be offering congratulations. But I'd made such a mistake before, and shehadn'tbeen happy.

Bracing myself, I gave it my best shot. "So…you're hand-modeling again?"

Her smile faded, and she dropped her hand. "Excuse me?"

"You know. For your dad's jewelry store?"

She gave a snort of disbelief. "Oh, please. That job sucked. It wassoboring."

I wasn't quite sure I agreed. Regardless, it was time to pull out my second guess. "So, you're…?"

"Getting married!" She gave a happy squeal. "He proposed on Christmas Eve!"

"Oh." I blinked a few times before summoning up the biggest smile I could muster. "Congratulations!"

She laughed. "I know, right?"

Now, this is where it got awkward.If Ihadto guess, I'd say that the lucky guy was almost certainly Lorenzo, the father of the two teenagers across the river.

But the last time I'd talked to Livia, she'd mentioned nothing about a serious relationship. In fact, I'd had the distinct impression they weren't even a couple, not officially, anyway.

Still, I kept my smile plastered in place as I asked, "So, is it…?"

Her eyes filled with excitement as she practically yelled, "Mason!"

I froze.Wait, what?

Chapter 60

Cami