The Mogul and the Muscle: A Bluewater Billionaires Romantic Comedy(41)

I showered off the effects of Inda’s torture and dressed, feeling like I might be missing something. It was Sunday, so I didn’t have any meetings. I’d worked out. Was there something else on my calendar?

With an unflattering squeak, I dove for my phone and swiped to my calendar. There it was, on my schedule for ten thirty. I couldn’t believe it had slipped my mind, but at least I wasn’t late. I never missed Drag Queen Brunch. And this time, I had a lot to talk about.

I paused with my phone still in my hand and stared out the window. DQB was at Mordecai’s Bistro, over on Las Palomas Boulevard. Not here in Bluewater. Certainly not in my house. Which meant I was supposed to bring Jude.

DQB was girl time. Sacred. It was when we shared the good, the bad, and the ugly of our lives. Asked for advice or gave it. Dished about dates and told each other the truths we kept from the outside world.

How could I do that if Jude was standing ten feet away? Especially when he was one of the things I was desperate to talk to my friends about?

Although the queens would have an absolute field day with him. That was tempting.

Before last night, I probably would have gone without him. Taken it off my calendar so he’d think it was canceled, then left my phone behind so if he checked up on me with his GPS tracker, he’d think I was home.

But last night had happened. And although we didn’t have proof that I’d been the target of that black SUV, I wasn’t stupid or childish enough to risk my safety by going alone.

With a heavy sigh, I texted Jude.





17





Cameron





I’d been worried that seeing Jude today would be awkward, and sure enough, it was. For me. Not him. He showed no signs of discomfort. He was his usual slightly aloof, professional self.

He didn’t arrive on his motorcycle—which I decided was good—and I took him up on his offer to drive. I sat next to him in his SUV, hands folded in my lap. I’d opted for a custom-tailored lilac blouse and high-waisted slacks. Oversize sunglasses and lavender stilettos were my nod to the fabulousness that was DQB. I dressed like a CEO whenever I went out in public, regardless of the day of the week. That was my image. Sleek. Smart. In control.

Not that I was feeling any of those things today. But I was hoping the clothes would help.

I walked into Mordecai’s just behind Jude and spotted my friends at our regular horseshoe-shaped booth at the back. As usual, the place was busy, the noisy hum of dozens of conversations filling the air.

Crimson Delilah, a queen rocking an Ariel-red wig, zebra stripe pantsuit, and lace-up platform boots was at the front. Her heavily mascaraed eyes widened when they landed on Jude.

He gave her a short nod, then gave me his I need to check the place out look.

“Darling, who is this big tall hunk you brought with you?” Crimson Delilah asked, appraising Jude with open appreciation.

“He’s security,” I said.

“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” she asked with an arch of her perfectly microbladed eyebrow.

“He just needs to take a quick look around. It’s what he does.”

“Be my guest,” she said to Jude with a flourish, then turned back to me. “Have fun, my little ginger. The girls are already back there.”

“Thanks.”

Instead of waiting for Jude to decide Mordecai’s was safe enough for me to take my seat, I beelined for the back and slid into the booth next to Luna. I swiped off my sunglasses and started talking fast.

“I really need to talk to you but I have to make this fast and I know how crazy this is going to sound but I was almost hit by a car last night and that isn’t my biggest problem, so can we get that out of the way and just say it happened and I didn’t get hurt and I realize it’s insane that I’m more concerned about something else when I might have been the target of a hit and run attempt less than twenty-four hours ago but I can’t help it.”

I took a deep breath and smoothed my features, restoring my calm and collected fa?ade while Jude got closer. My friends stared at me in silence. Luna’s eyes were wide, and I could practically see her about to tell me to tune into my breath. Emily’s eyebrows lifted and she slowly set her bloody Mary back on the table.

Daisy’s face scrunched into an expression of unconcealed confusion. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Tracking Jude’s movement from the corner of my eye, I mentally calculated the distance between us multiplied by the approximate decibel level. My spine stayed stick straight, my hands folded, until I was reasonably sure he wouldn’t hear me.

I leaned forward and splayed my hands on the table, my voice low as the words once again tumbled out in a rush. “I ran into Aldrich and Jude saved me from being hit by a car and before he left last night he kissed me on the forehead and I don’t know what it means and I’m pretty sure I’m losing my mind.”

So much for time spent tinkering and a good workout for calming me down. I felt like I was falling apart.

Jude came closer, finishing his sweep of the restaurant. I straightened my back and smoothed my hair.

My friends kept staring at me while Lady Raquel came over to our table. She was our favorite server here at Mordecai’s. Today’s look included a bright pink wig and long pink dress trimmed with fluffy white feathers.