Two Bar Mitzvahs (No Weddings #3)(26)

Ben set the two pizza boxes onto the bar and opened them. The moment I put down the plates and napkins, Mase and Jason crowded in.

Jason grabbed a plate, then slid a third of the pepperoni pizza straight onto it. “Yeah, what’s up with that? Kristen ranted about the flower mix-up over the phone to me when I was out of town.”

Mase grabbed beers from the fridge and lined them up on the bar. “How do you know it’s your ex?”

“We don’t. But she’s the prime suspect. Too coincidental for her to show up within days of the mishaps starting.” I grabbed an olive and mushroom slice, then shoved a third of it into my mouth.

Ben took a seat on a barstool, taking a piece from each box. “How’s Hannah with this? She seemed pissed as hell the other night.”

I snorted, then swallowed down my food. “She wants to deck her.”

“What’s Madison’s deal?” Jason leaned an elbow onto the bar counter and folded a large slice with both hands. He glanced up at me. “You guys broke up two years ago, right?”

“Fuck if I know.” I shook my head. “When we broke up, I learned more about her in a few minutes than I had our entire time together. I don’t say this lightly—she’s a bitch. And I wouldn’t put anything past her.” I didn’t mention the new “vulnerable” side of Madison. Or the sex addiction. Because that would lead to talking about my struggle with it. Or the guys giving me shit. Probably both. And I wasn’t in the mood for either.

Ben nodded. “Well, good luck, man. Anything you need, let us know.”

“Actually, yeah. We need to make sure all of Loading Zone’s vendors are tight. Since the issues have gone beyond Invitation Only to Hannah’s bakery, the bar may be targeted too. Let’s send them all emails that any order changes are to be confirmed by our company email. And to give us a heads up if anything suspicious goes down.”

“Done. I’ll do it first thing in the morning.”

As I began to down a second piece of pizza, I thought about Madison. If she was the one behind all this, she’d only been a nuisance so far. But I needed to stay one step ahead of her. To this point, all the glitches had been business related. Shit better not become personal.

My phone began vibrating again, moving it across the granite counter. I leaned forward to see the screen.

Mase intercepted me, shoving me toward the pool table. “You’re up next. We’ve got a game to play. Then you can check the messages to make sure Hannah’s house isn’t burning down.”

I clapped my hands, then rubbed them together. “I’m good. Rack the balls.”

Mase and I played a game. Then Ben and Jason played while we watched. I crossed my arms, glancing at Jason. “You in town for a bit?”

He nodded as he lined up his shot. “Yeah. For the next few weeks.”

“So you’re coming to Loading Zone’s anniversary and up to the parents’ house, then?”

Before answering, he sank the striped twelve ball. “Yep. Looking forward to it. Work’s been crazy with more traveling than usual the last few months. Kristen’s happy to have me around for a while.”

After Jason dropped his last stripe and the eight ball, Mase walked over to the foosball table. “Get your ass over here, Ben. Best two out of three.” He spun one of the chrome rods.

Jason and I walked over to the bar, and I finally picked up my phone.

The alerts showed one missed call, a voicemail, and seven texts. I went into my text box to see a line of pictures with a comment under each. I clicked on the first picture sent from Hannah, which was a glass filled with frothy pink shit. The text connected to it said:



Specialty drink of the night: strawberry daiquiris!



Another text from Hannah had a picture of a model on her laptop screen.



Missing you. But the girls and I are having a blast.



The third picture and comment was from Kiki.



He’s cut. I want him.



Two separate texts without pics followed.



Dammit. CUTE!



Well, and cut. I’m so buzzed. :)



The fourth picture, from Kristen’s phone, was of a guy with shaggy black hair, a nose ring, and tattoos covering his arms and chest.



Think he’s edgy enough to rock Mom’s party?



The last picture was sent by Hannah. Three condiments were lined up on her kitchen island: chocolate sauce, honey, and caramel sauce.

Fuck.

Her comment said:



Toppings for the only man-candy that matters to me.



I checked my voicemail. Hannah’s low voice came over the line, a bit slurred.



“Hey, baby. Sorry we keep buggin’ you. Miss you. The girls are sleepin’ here tonight. Overdid the daiquiris. No drivin’.”



My chest was heavy. I missed her too. I debated calling her back as Ben and Mase battled it out at the foosball table.

Jason nodded at me. “How are the girls? I got a text from Kristen. Some half-naked guy covered in tats.” He shook his head.

“They’re blitzed. And not going anywhere, so she’s good. Hannah and Kiki sent me texts too. Like twisted postcards.”