Page 119 of Pretty Vengeance

Grinning, Ash pokes Scott’s arm as he pours.

Brows rising, Scott stops and sets the beer down to stare at her. “Are you kidding?”

“I am,” she says, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Get off,” he says with mock disgust. “After all I’ve done? To hell with you.”

With a laugh and a kiss, she finally lets go. “Yay, my panini’s ready.”

Scott returns to pouring his Guinness. In the end, it doesn’t overflow, but the thick foam must not be right because Scott slides the glass to Ash. “That’s yours.”

“Awesome,” she says, taking the glass and her dish to the table.

“If you need more practice, mate, your wife and my girlfriend still need one.” Jamie takes a swig from his glass. “What do you reckon? Make it best of four?”

Scott tips his head back and laughs.

I can’t stop smiling, and the warm sensation in my chest at hearing Jamie call me his girlfriend eats me up. This is just what I need to forget about all the Allendale drama.

Jamie’s phone buzzes, and he checks it. Rising, he takes another drink from his glass before setting it in front of me. “Have some, Sauce.” To Scott, he says, “I need to step out.”

“Yeah, go. Good riddance.” Scott takes another Guinness from the fridge.

Glancing at me, Jamie gestures toward the chef. “I’ll take two of whatever he’s making.” His tone is light, but there’s a subtle pinch between his brows that makes me wonder what’s up.

As Jamie exits, the boys come barreling past him and run to Ash’s chair.

“He’s out!” Finn grabs her arm and tries to drag her from her seat.

She swallows her bite of food and nods. “Don’t worry. We’ll capture him. But I bet he’s gonna be hiding somewhere sneaky.”

At these words, Sean, who’s near the doorway, turns and trots off.

She lifts Finn, who’s still trying to pull her from the chair, onto her lap. “You want a bite of this panini, Finn? It’s so good.”

“No pih-nee-oh. You come, Nash!”

“Hey, Finn,” Scott says in a stern voice. “No yelling.”

Finn’s outrage turns to consternation. As if the world has gone insane for not realizing the urgency of the dragon situation he’s got going on. He leans forward and announces, “Dray got free!”

Scott finishes his pour, which looks perfect to me. “He’s gonna be the only one if you land in time-out.”

Ash winks at me. “It’s a dragon emergency.”

With a smile, I say, “So I understand.”

After taking a drink, Scott nods and says to me, “The little one inherited patience from his aunt Ash. Which is to say, none at all.”

“Pot, kettle, Scotty.Pot. Kettle.” Ash kisses the head of the squirming toddler before setting him on the floor. “Go help Seany, Finn. I’ll be right there.”

Outside, Jamie passes by the windows. My smile fades. He seems to be texting someone, and from his grim expression, something is wrong.

54

JAMIE

Stopping at the koi pond, I glance around to be sure I’m alone.