Page 118 of Burning Daylight

He grins, unfazed. “That good, huh?”

“It’s fine.” I shrug, my mind flicking to those stolen moments with the woman I can’t get out of my head.

“Don’t be so modest,” Benjamin cuts in, looking at me before focusing on Merrick. “Him and Daddy are thick as thieves now. Practically sharing a toothbrush.”

I want to get defensive, but I bite back the urge, knowing it will only make things worse. Instead, I smirk at him. “Jealous, Benny? You need a hug?”

He scoffs, lifting his chin.

Merrick slaps his shoulder. “Don’t be so bitter, Benny. Roman can’t help that he was born with a trust fund and perfect cheekbones any more than you can help that you’re just the unfortunate cousin.”

“I’m not fucking bitter.” Benjamin shrugs him off.

Merrick cackles, slamming his hand on the table and picking up the other shot glass, raising it high in the air. “To Roman. May he be more than just another pretty face in a town full of assholes. And with any luck…” He winks. “A decent fuck, too.That way people will still like you even if you loseDaddy’smoney.”

Benjamin cracks a grin and tilts his own glass. “We can only hope.”

I down the shot, the burn of tequila scorching my throat and settling in my chest. I point a finger at Merrick. “I’m an excellent fuck.”

“Is that right?” He leans in close, dark eyes sparkling. “I’m more than willing to test out the merchandise.”

I click my tongue. “No can do, my friend. I’m too afraid you’d start writing me love letters on the back of bar napkins.”

“Maybe I already am,” he replies.

Benjamin groans. “God, get a room.”

“Wasn’t it you,” I say, turning fully toward Merrick, “who said Rosebrook Falls is where love goes to die?”

He flops back in the booth, his arm lazily draped across the top. “Even ghosts have dreams.”

“Speaking of dreams, I had one last night,” Benjamin cuts in, swirling the rim of his glass with a finger.

“Oh?” Merrick perks up. “What wasyourdream?”

He leans in, lowering his voice to a whisper. “That dreamers lie.”

Merrick looks at him, unimpressed. “Wow. Life-changing, Benny. Truly.”

Benjamin shrugs. “I thought it was apt. This town’s full of liars pretending their dreams will come true.”

Merrick laughs. “Pretty philosophical there for someone who peaked in high school.”

Benjamin flashes a grin. “Yet here you are, sitting at my table, drinking Tequila I paid for, and using the Montgomery name like you earned it.”

“Jesus, Benny,” I remark.

Merrick lifts his glass. “Shit, are we fighting or bonding? I can’t tell.”

A bartender walks over and sets fresh beers down on the table. She’s pretty. I don’t think she can be taller than five-three, and her copper-red hair is pulled back in a bun on top of her head.

“Thanks, beautiful Ginny,” Merrick says as he takes his beer from her.

She gives him a smile and then turns her gaze on Benjamin, something colder taking its place, all nicety dropping from her heart-shaped face. “Where’s Rosalie, Benny?”

He stretches out his arm over the back of the booth. “Do I look like Rosalie’s keeper, Genevieve?”

Her eyes narrow. “I don’t know,Benjamin, you seem to care enough when you’re sticking your filthy pencil dick inside of her.”