“Yeah, of course. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Pissed me off more than anything.” I roll my shoulders back. “Do you know what I need?”
She winces. “I’m honestly afraid to suggest anything.”
“Why?”
“You’re kinda scary,” she mumbles.
“Really? Awww, I’m honored.” And she hasn’t even seen my knife collection.
Paisley snorts. “Because that’s the correct response for a sane person.”
“Oh, hush. I never claimed to be mentally stable.”
“Is that on your resume?”
I lift my arms and spread them as if unrolling a banner. “I’ve got issues.”
Gemma scoffs. “Don’t we all?”
“Mine are toxic.”
The sisters exchanged a weighted look. Paisley clears her throat. “Have you ever talked to someone about that?”
“What do you think I’m trying to do?” I motion between them.
She laughs. “We aren’t professionals.”
“I don’t need a shrink to psychoanalyze me. The thought alone is fifty times worse than anything I’ve survived. Bigshocker here: I’m fucked up. That’s not going to change. I’ve learned to deal with it just fine.” When they just stare at me, I roll my eyes. “Mostly.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are,” Gemma croons.
“See? She gets it,” I chastise Paisley. “As I was saying, I need to get laid.”
Mimosa shoots from her mouth when she sputters. “Is that the best solution for your emotional state?”
I glare daggers at her, but she presses on.
“I’m just saying. If a hug set you off like this, something more… sensual could really trigger you.”
“It depends on the type of contact. A hug from Byron is too personal. Sex with a stranger is strictly for pleasure. I don’t do strings or attachments of any kind.”
She makes another face. “Never?”
“That’s it, you’re fired. Swap seats with your sister.” I make a weaving motion between the two blondes.
But Gemma is distracted. Her shrewd blue eyes sweep the interior of The Paddock like she’s a security guard.
I quirk an eyebrow at her oh-so-subtle tactics. “Are you looking for someone in particular?”
“Me?” A bright scarlet blooms across her exquisite bone structure. “Ah, nope? Not at all.”
Dry laughter flakes from me when she sucks down her drink to seal her lips from spilling the truth.
“Have fun with those evasive maneuvers.” I slip off the stool and stretch my back. “Welp, you know what they say.”
Paisley listens dutifully as my spine cracks in several places. “You’ll catch more bees with honey?”
I give her a blank look. “Uh, good guess. But if you want someone done right, you gotta do them yourselves.”