Page 83 of Bargain With the Boss

“That sounds like her,” said a blond from behind us. “That’s how she trapped all of us.”

“Trapped?” Claire cackled dramatically. “In my web of delight that tastes like a cheap margarita.”

“The best.” Josie said and hip bumped me. “We’re going to have the best time.”

Josie hooked her arm through mine and the troupe of girls followed with giddy laughter and rushed conversations that were no deeper than catching up about life events.

Unsure what to do with a crowd of women who actually wanted to talk to me, I just went along for the ride at first. The first night was a barbecue as everyone was coming in from all over the area as well as out of state.

The bride, Lindee, was from Lake George originally and met her soon-to-be husband, Jay, while home for the holidays and the rest had been history. I learned a lot about the happy couple and Claire’s days at university throughout the rest of the night.

The champagne and cheap margaritas flowed as well.

I forgot to eat enough to combat all the alcohol, but the view and the company made up for it.

Until the sun dipped low and sizzled into the lake.

Until the couples paired off and the romantic music rose off the wraparound deck.

Until the margaritas made me bold.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket—because the skirt of my dress had pockets! Which made me laugh as I opened my phone and snapped a photo and texted it to Xavier.

Come find me.

Chapter 20

Xavier

The text tone came near dusk, and I hopped up to grab my phone.

“Come find me,” I whispered.

She’d barely let me know she was going out of town let alone where she was.

Shit.

Her red curls were wild, blocking the thin straps around her shoulders, making it look like she wasn’t wearing anything.

Her eyes were soft and unfocused, much like when I watched her come for me.

How the hell was I supposed to find her?

I saved the photo, but she was careful enough not to have information in her photo. I was thankful and frustrated at the same time. I wanted to find her.

To talk to her.

Convince her not to end us before we even began.

Annoyed, I quickly packed an overnight bag then grabbed my keys.

I had one idea to find her. I just hoped Claire Maitland was willing to help me out.

The Maitland mansion was on the same side of the lake as my house making it a quick trip into the enemy compound. The Cape Cod house was lit up and cars lined the drive.

Hell.

The timing couldn’t be better for this mission. I parked my Boxter on the edges of the lawn and caught a glint of something near the water.