Page 68 of Robbin’ the Rich

Trixie's somehow got louder as the night went on. I wasn't entirely sure how that was possible, the place had already been packed when we arrived. Now every table seemed full, music blasted from the speakers, and half the people in the building were shouting over each other while pretending they weren't.

I was halfway through another beer when I spotted Van behind the bar. Her purple hair was styled high on her head, bright enough to be seen from across the room. She moved through the crowd with the confidence of someone who'd worked at Trixie's long enough to know exactly how much nonsense she was willing to tolerate…. which wasn't much.

I pointed. "Micah, you've officially met most of the team. You haven't met Van yet."

Micah followed my gaze toward the bar.

The second Van noticed me waving, her expression became suspicious. She made her way over carrying a tray of empty glasses.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Wow."

"What do you want?"

I pointed toward Micah.

"This is Micah."

Van looked at him. Then looked at me, then looked back at him.

“He’s the priest,” Belle yelled across the table with a slight slur.

Micah groaned.

I laughed into my drink.

Van blinked. She looked between us again. "Like an actual priest?"

I burst out laughing, “No, he was the Halloween priest."

Relief washed across her face. "Oh, thank God."

The table immediately dissolved into laughter.

Van pointed at him. "I was concerned when I thought you were actual clergy."

"Nope, just pretend clergy."

She nodded. Then crossed her arms. "If you hurt her, I'll hit you with a bar stool."

Micah looked entirely too calm about that. "Good to know."

"I'm serious."

"I believe you."

Van seemed satisfied by the answer. Then she disappeared back toward the bar before I could embarrass myself further. At first, I didn't notice Ariel watching her go, but then I saw her smiling after Van like she was someone lovesick.

Poor Ariel. Poor Van. Poor everyone, really.

At some point somebody ordered shots. That should have been the warning sign.

It wasn't. The warning sign should have been Belle announcing karaoke.

Instead, somehow, it became the main event.

"I am not singing."