Page 28 of It Runs in the Family

He gave me a studied look before he turned and headed for the bar.

I forced myself to look away. I’d seen Ava on the dance floor with a couple of different guys, so I glanced around for Mary Ellen. She caught my gaze and headed straight for me with a hot guy on her tail, his gaze locked on her ass as they walked, which didn’t seem safe given the floor was sticky in parts and littered with beer cans.

When they reached me, she turned and put her hand on the guy’s chest, letting her fingers walk up to the base of his throat. She stared up at him through her lashes, and said, “Brian, be a doll and get me a margarita.”

“Ryan,” he corrected.

“Ryan, Brian.” She tapped the end of his nose, and said in a sing-song voice, “I still don’t have a drink.” Then she lifted up on her tiptoes and full-on French kissed him for a good ten seconds.

When she pulled away, Ryan/Brian looked like he’d answer to the name Puddin’ Tame if only she asked. A huge grin spread across his face before he turned and made a beeline for the bar.

She watched him go, then gave me a saucy look. “I see you caught a live one.” Her gaze jumped over to Boone, who was standing at the bar, glancing back at me.

I rolled my eyes at Mary Ellen. “I’m dancing. I’m drinking. I’m even flirting. Are you happy?” I made it sound like a chore despite the fact I’d enjoyed every minute of it. But I wasn’t dumb enough to admit it to her.

“Those are great starts,” she said, licking her lips as she studied Boone. “But you need to seal the deal, cuz.”

I wasn’t going to discuss the possibility of sleeping with Boone, so I changed the subject. “Selena was here. Did you see her?”

Mary Ellen pulled a face that made it clear she didn’t want to talk about Selena. “No. Thank God.”

Ignoring her contempt, I said, “She was wearing a fancy red cocktail dress, and she was with a guy in a black suit.”

Mary Ellen released a retching sound. “I’m sure she had a perfectly illogical reason for how she was dressed.”

“I didn’t talk to her. I saw her when she was leaving. I followed them and saw her get into a fancy sedan.”

“Of course she did,” Mary Ellen said, lifting the empty glasses, looking for something to drink. “Don’t they ever clear off the tables?”

For a brief moment, I considered telling her about my vision, but then I realized it wouldn’t change anything. She’d only resent Selena more and it would ruin the rest of her night. Still, if that man killed me, he could very well kill Selena next. “Mary Ellen. I think Selena’s in trouble.”

She gave me a deadpan look. “That girl’s been in trouble for years.” She shrugged. “Sounds like she found herself a high roller. You know she’ll be rubbing our faces in it at Sunday dinner.”

Selena, Ava, and Mary Ellen all seemed to have a weird rivalry about who they were sleeping with. “Do you have any idea who she’s seeing right now?”

“No, and you know she won’t tell us for fear we’ll snatch him out from under her.” Her lips pressed together as she contemplated it. “What did the guy look like?”

“I didn’t see his face.” But I was still worried he could be the man from the convenience store. Both men had very dark hair, and he’d looked to have the same build.

“You’re closer to her than any of us are.” She bumped her shoulder into mine. “Try to find out.”

There was no point in getting into it. I was too drunk for an explanation, and she’d doubtlessly agree with Garrett—the best way not to die was to stay away from Selena. Besides, it occurred to me that she had a point about Sunday dinner. Selena would likely attend, and I could try to talk to her then.

“I presume this is one of your missing cousins,” Boone said as he approached the table and then set a tequila shot on the table in front of me. He also had a beer and two bottles of water—a juggling act I couldn’t help but admire. The cap was still on one of the waters.

Mary Ellen’s face lit up. “You told him about us?”

I shot her a look. “Don’t get too excited. I only told him you were around here somewhere. Proof that I wasn’t ditching him.”

“She can’t ditch you,” Mary Ellen said, her gaze traveling from the top of his head and down his chest. “We drove her here.”

Boone set the unopened water bottle on the table, then lifted the other to his lips and said with a twinkle in his eyes, “Good to know.”

“So… tell me about yourself,” Mary Ellen said, her facing lighting up as if she’s just been presented with an all-you-can-eat buffet. “What’s your name? Where are you from, and do you have any brothers?”

“His name is Boone. He’s from Dallas, and he has two younger sisters,” I said dryly as I pinned her with a dark gaze. “Happy now?”

She seemed amused. “Look at you. You already know two-thirds more about Boone than I do about Brian.”