Love, Exes, and Ohs (Cactus Creek #4)(24)

“You guys set me up!”

Sienna shook her head. “Nope. This one was Lia’s choice for you,” she replied pointing at Caine and deliberately misunderstanding her as she munch-munch- munched on the maraschinos.

Meanwhile, Dani was trying to edge her way out of the confrontation entirely. The waiting line of customers at the bar shifted like the tide as they followed her inching away.

“Get back over here, traitor!”

Dani sighed and tapped in one of the bartenders returning from his break.

Hands still shackling a silent but thoroughly amused Caine, Xoey walked the three of them over to the only semi-quiet spot in the brewpub under the stairwell leading to the roof deck.

She released Caine and crossed her arms over her chest. Turning her attention to Dani first, she barked, “A yodeling ventriloquist? Seriously? I didn’t say anything because I thought you’d clearly lost your meddling touch and I didn’t want to make you feel bad.” Remembering another detail she’d blocked out about the date, she narrowed her eyes even more. “You can tell your little friend he clearly missed his calling as an actor. The crying at the end? Nice touch.”

“You did have ‘soulful’ and ‘sensitive’ as two of your man-quation characteristics.” Dani didn’t even bother to cover up her smile.

“I meant the way Isaac is!” she seethed between clenched teeth, still remembering how many days it took her not to hear all that yodeling rattling around in her head.

More unapologetic chuckles.

Xoey sliced her accusing glare over to Sienna next. “And you. Is the low v-neck shirt guy really as douchey as he seemed or did you put him up to that?”

At least Sienna had the grace to look more than a little guilty. “I might have told him to lay it on thick. I didn’t dress him though. That was all him.”

“In exchange for?”

A sheepish set of pearly whites flashed back at her. “Discounted mechanical work on his Porsche. The guy is disgustingly rich, but he’s been getting into so many wrecks racing his friends that his dad told him to figure out a way to pay for the repairs himself, without accessing any of the family money. And since the money he makes at work is like loose change considering his lavish night life, he really wanted the discount. He’s actually a really nice guy. You know, for a man whore.”

Xoey was beyond fuming now. “And Quinn’s bachelor? What’d she offer the guy? Free chocolates?” She couldn’t fathom what logical barter Quinn could have brokered with the big shot investment banker.

“Actually,” filled in Sienna, brightly. “Rylan told me that Quinn didn’t coach that guy one bit. Apparently, that’s just how he is in real life. She just told him to be completely himself.”

Xoey rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Caine’s shoulders shook with more silent hilarity.

Her new target acquired, she took one stomp forward and poked him in the chest. “And what were you planning to do to sabotage our date?” she demanded.

…When a low, resoundingly resolute voice from behind them answered simply, “He wasn’t going to do anything. Since he wasn’t going to last ten minutes.”

Xoey gasped and spun around. Et tu, Isaac? “You orchestrated all of this?”

Caine’s voice held an unabashed smile she could hear loud and clear. “I told you if you kept running, one day he’d catch you and you’d have to deal with the consequences of that.”

Isaac shot him a look that not-so-politely asked him to stop helping. He peered down at her, eyes running over her face. “Why the frown? Are you disappointed I’m interrupting?”

No. Never.

“I’m frowning because mathematically speaking, there are way too many witnesses here that will be able to pick me out of a line up when your body goes missing tomorrow,” she replied, crossing her arms with a glare.

“I didn’t sabotage your dates, Xo. That was all your girls’ doing. But I started figuring it out in Vegas when you told me about your date. I called up Quinn and got the whole story, knowing there was no way she would’ve called that particular friend of ours unless she was messing with you.”

“He’s telling the truth,” supplied Dani helpfully.

Dropping her arms, she looked at the group of nodding heads before feeling the anger whoosh out of her system. “Fine, fine. I get it. My list was stupid. Point taken, intervention successful,” she muttered.

“Not stupid,” Dani reassured gently, all amusement now vanished from her expression. “While we were plotting, we did actually manage to find one guy who fit all your criteria.” She tossed a meaningful look over at Isaac.

They all followed Dani’s pointed gaze and Isaac shrugged. “Again, I had nothing to do with that.”

“So what was with the ten minute max limit for Caine’s date?” she asked him. “Oh, and thanks, by the way.”

“Jesus, I’m still standing right here,” called out a mildly insulted, but still thoroughly grinning Caine who was turning to head back to the bar. “I think I’m going to go grab a beer to drown out my sorrows. ‘Night children. Play nice.”

“Stop looking at him,” groused Isaac lightly, sounding…jealous.

A first.

Xoey felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest.