Page 36 of Pretty Poison

Dropping his hand to his lap, Rocky said, “Not a but. More like an asterisk. I’m just saying we should put what the Cahill family wants first and foremost and not use them to grind an ax against a politician you can’t stand.”

“Direct hit,” Felix said, slumping back against the bench. “Maybe you shouldn’t project your media bias onto me and my motives.”

“What’s happening here?” Jonah asked.

“I believe they’re having an argument,” Daisy said as she strode up to their table. “And Marla told me you’re brilliant.”

Jonah chuckled. “I recognize an argument when I see one, but these two are usually thick as thieves. I haven’t seen them argue like this since the first night they met.”

“Unresolved sexual tension?” Daisy asked.

“No,” Felix and Rocky said at the same time, both smiling at one another.

“Oh,” Daisy said, sounding disappointed. “Renee will be over to take your order in just a second. I want to talk to you guys about something before you leave, okay?” After they all agreed, she said, “There’s no squabbling in Daisy’s Place unless you’re prepared to snag a bitch’s wig. You hear me?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” all three of them said as she sashayed away.

“Hey,” Rocky said, reaching across the table to squeeze Felix’s hand. “I’m sorry. I am letting my past history with rabid reporters cloud my objectivity. I know you’re not like them, and I never meant to imply otherwise.”

Felix rotated his hand and linked their fingers. “I’m sorry too. Your words struck too close to the truth, and I lashed out at you.”

“I’m sorry too,” Jonah said.

Rocky looked over at him. “For what?”

Jonah shrugged. “I just felt left out. Give me a second, and I can probably think of something to apologize for.”

Rocky bumped his shoulder against Jonah, but the bigger man didn’t even budge. “I can’t imagine what it’s like dealing with the two of us.”

“I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world,” Jonah said.

“Do you think my article was a mistake?” Felix asked Jonah.

“While I personally loved every scathing word you wrote, I think we do need to give the process a fair shake.” Jonah was always the voice of reason that counterbalanced Felix’s and Rocky’s high energy. “The Cahills have a brilliant legal team working on their behalf, but they have something even more powerful going for them.”

Rocky nodded. “The court of public opinion.”

“That’s right,” Jonah said. “If this fool doesn’t issue the pardon, then we can mobilize Bo’s supporters to flood the governor’s office with phone calls, emails, and letters. If that doesn’t work, we use our platform to vote the fucker out of office.”

Felix nodded. “As always, you make an excellent point. The outcry of many has a greater impact than a singular voice of dissent.”

“It’s one hell of a strong voice,” Rocky said. “I’m proud to call you my friend.”

Felix tilted his head down to sip his coffee but not before Rocky saw the flush creep across his friend’s cheeks.

Jonah leaned closer to Rocky and mock whispered, “Is he blushing?”

“I think so,” Rocky replied.

“Is there a reset button we can push?” Felix asked. “I feel like we’ve veered off track.”

Rocky leaned forward and tapped the tip of Felix’s nose. “Boop.”

Felix looked as stunned as Rocky felt. What the hell had possessed him to do such a silly thing? Jonah was the first to recover and chuckled. Felix scowled at their stormy friend, which must’ve tickled Jonah’s funny bone even more because his amusement turned into a full-on belly laugh. Jonah had a wicked sense of humor, but a reaction like this was rare, making Rocky glad he’d done it.

“Did you just boop my nose?” Felix asked.

Rocky shrugged. Jonah wiped the moisture from his eyes. He looked back and forth between Rocky and Felix, then started laughing harder. He got choked up at one point, so Felix slid his glass of water closer to him.