“Naive?” Lila’s holding her stomach, entire body shaking. “I was going to say batshit crazy.”
I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “And you call yourselves my friends.”
“Phoebe, honey, you can’t keep dating Cormack.” Gemma’s blue eyes are twinkling with humor. “Partly because you’re in love with another man, but also because if Knox says he’s dangerous, I believe him.”
“Why?”
“Well, he warned me away from Brett… and then I ended up in the hospital.” Gemma takes a large bite of her double-chocolate cupcake. “So, I have a tendency to trust his judgment. He’s not the type to exaggerate. Maybe there’s more to Cormack than his charming disposition and killer accent.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Shelby murmurs.
“What?” Gemma and I ask in unison.
“Hear me out,” Shelby says, eyes active with thoughts. “Knox only shows up when Phoebe’s in danger — or when he thinks she’s in danger. Right?”
“I guess,” I mutter, taking another heavenly bite of my cupcake.
“So… why don’t we just put you in a semi-life threatening situation — something minor, like a car accident or a fake kidnapping — after which he will swoop in, save your life, and carry you off into the sunset?”
“Life threatening!?” I squeak, alarmed.
“That’s genius!” Lila yells at the same time.
“Are you out of your goddamned mind?” Gemma screeches.
“Chill!” Shelby holds out her hands defensively. “Jeeze, I was kidding. Mostly.”
“I think our friend group has had enough life threatening scenarios to last a lifetime.” Gemma glares at her friend. “Or do you not remember the car chase, kidnapping, and subsequent drowning just a few months ago?”
“For what it’s worth, I think it’s a great plan,” Lila says, grinning at Shelby.
“Please, no hair-brained schemes.” I grimace. “I would like to live to see my twenty-fourth birthday.”
“That’s only a few days away,” Lila points out. “I think you’ll make it.”
“I didn’t know it was your birthday! Are you having a party?” Gemma asks.
“No, I don’t really celebrate.” I shrug. “Usually I’ll do something with my brother if he’s around. Otherwise, it’s just any other day.”
“Where is Parker these days?” Lila asks. “Tahiti? Rome? Shanghai?”
“I think he might be climbing Kilimanjaro again? Honestly, I can’t keep track anymore.” I try not to sigh too deeply. “Needless to say, he won’t be making it home this year.”
“What about your dad?” Lila pesters.
Gemma seems to tense across the table, dropping her sky-blue eyes to her plate and tucking a flyaway curl behind one ear.
Weird.
I glance back at Lila. “He’ll be in back-to-back business meetings for the foreseeable future. With the waterfront development breaking ground next week, he’s busier than ever. I’ll try calling him tonight. Remind him I’m alive, and all. Only daughter, requesting contact.”
Gemma fidgets in her seat, clearly uncomfortable about something.
Shelby’s eyes shift to look out the window, as though she’s nervous.
I clear my throat to break the sudden silence. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make things weird. Things with my dad have always been—”
“We should throw you a party,” Gemma announces, eyes lighting up. “It’ll be great! We’ll have it at Chase’s penthouse, invite anyone you want. We could even do a theme! Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes – women being the pros, of course.”
“Guys in Ties and Girls in Pearls,” Shelby suggests.
“I always loved the Mathletes and Athletes combo in college,” Lila adds, eyes sparkling.
“Oh! That’s a good one.” Gemma’s nodding. “The penthouse can fit at least sixty people, maybe more. We could get a DJ and some lighting—”