Page 28 of Full Out Fiend

Cole: Sorry, we’re slammed. It’s not actually Daphne. It’s the mouthy bridesmaid who insisted you were buying all their drinks that night.

Dammit.

But that’s still something.

Fielding: You’re sure it’s her?Cole: I couldn’t forget this redhead if I tried. She’s here with another girl. They just sat down.

Fuck. Of course it would be the loud-mouthed one who took full advantage of my credit card that night. Whatever. She’s my only lead—I have to get there and try to get Daphne’s number.

Fielding: Keep her there. Cole, I’m so serious… whatever it takes… do NOT let her leave.

I grab for my wallet but hesitate when I get to the mudroom. My bike would be faster. But I might need to call my brother on the way.

Frustrated, I grab the keys to my Infiniti and feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket just as I open the door.

Cole: This isn’t one of those weird obsessions of yours, is it? Are we about to have another Tori situation on our hands?

I see red.

Not because he’s out of line, even though he is. I fucking wish my spiraling, obsessive thoughts would settle and let me leave this girl alone. My motivation is more than a desire to see Daphne again. I have a responsibility to her. Doing the right thing hasn’t always been my MO. But with her, it is.

Fielding: Fuck you. I’ll be there in 10.

I let myself in through the employee entrance in the back and run my hand over the grates of the liquor cage as I pass it while trying my hardest to calm my nerves.

Navigating through the sea of bodies on the dance floor is a feat, but as soon as I reach the bar, I spot my target.

There’s a vacant barstool beside her, so I slide in, rest my chin in my hand, and wait for her to notice me.

Her eyes go demonic, all but bugging out when she looks over and meets my gaze.

“You!”

So she remembers me.

“I need to get a hold of Daphne.”

She slaps the bar top and throws her head back with a cackle.

“Oh my god. Seriously?Seriously? That’s rich. You both disappear the night of her bachelorette party, then she calls her wedding off, and now you want my help reconnecting?”

I glare at her for the less-than-accurate assessment of what went down and how. Before I can put her in her place, she continues.

“I’ll do you one better,” she declares, smirking as she types out a text. She focuses on her phone for all of twenty seconds before setting it down and doing her best imitation of the Cheshire cat. “All done,” she sing-songs.

She turns back to her friend then, effectively ignoring me until her phone vibrates on the bar top. I try to school my expression and not look too eager as she glances at the device. When I realize she’s going to make me work for it, I take the bait.

“So?” I question.

“So what?” she asks innocently.

For fuck’s sake.

“Is she coming?” I demand.

“Oh. I didn’t text Daphne,” the troublemaker informs me, flipping her red hair over her shoulder and fighting back a predatory smile. “I texted my cousin, Anthony. You know. Her fiancé? Or should I sayex-fiancé, since she called off her wedding because of you?”

Chapter 17