Page 58 of Igniting Sparks

Thank God for whiskey.

The opening volley? The latest polo match and who’s attending the Derby this year.

“Braden, who doyouthink will win the Derby?” Bitsy asks, her smile as fake as a reality show relationship.

I don’t know a damn thing about horse racing—and unlike my wealth-flashing tablemates, I don’t care to. Clicking my tongue against my teeth, I mutter, “My money is on a horse.”

That does not go over well.

Even Mina shoots me a look that screams in silence for me to behave.

Wonder what’s gotten into her, since she loved my devil-may-care attitude last night.

My guess? The man to her right—Mr. Suave and Chic himself, Leo. A guy who probably gets weekly manicures and wouldn’t know a power drill from a power saw.

Am I being petty? Maybe. But the second he showed up, Mina’s entire demeanor changed—and I don’t like it.

I jiggle the ice in my glass and motion between them. “How do you two know each other?”

But they don’t get the chance to answer. The servers arrive with our salads.

Hell, maybe shutting up and eating is the safest route.

“Braden, just so you know, you start with the flatware on the outside and work your way in.” Bitsy gestures toward my utensils, her voice just loud enough for the entire table to hear.

I grit my teeth and select the correct fork as a surge of anger flashes through me. “Thank you, Bitsy. Without your guidance, I might have used a steak knife on my salad.”

Her brows shoot up as she does the wholeclutch-the-pearlsroutine. Talk about melodrama in motion. “My, aren’t we bold today?”

I should let it go. But I’m already neck-deep in this damn salad course. “Bold of you to assume I don’t know how to use a fork.”

She exhales hard through her nose, nostrils flaring. Oh yes, I’m under her skin now.

Join the club, bitch.

“I didn’t think someone like you frequented restaurants of this caliber. Forgive me for wanting to assist you.”

If she were a man, I’d call her ass out right now. One well-placed punch to the jaw would shut this whole thing down.

But she’s an elderly woman holding the keys to Mina’s kingdom. So despite the fury building in my chest, I swallow it back.

For Mina.

A woman who, by the way,stillhasn’t stepped in to defend me.

Yeah, I notice.

I glance across the table and catch her eye.

She mouths,I’m sorry.

And somehow… for now, that’s enough.

“My mother taught my brother and me proper dining etiquette. She believed it was important to maintain some level of decorum and manners.”

“I can’t wait to meet your mother,” Mina blurts out, realizing one second too late what she’s admitted.

But Aunt Bitsy seizes on it immediately. Her eyes narrow. “You haven’t met Braden’s parents?”