The Mating Game: Big Bad Wolf(30)

“Oh my God, you did that for me?” Daisy stroked the artwork. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that I am associated with JKat2016 in any way,” Jasmine said, not meeting her gaze. Then she looked up with a cheeky grin. “But I will accept payment for the talented, gorgeous, brilliant artist who produced that masterpiece.”

Daisy dug into her purse and pulled out fifty dollars, which she slipped into Jasmine’s jacket pocket.

“This is so great,” Daisy said as she put the jacket on. “Now I look totally cool.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Jasmine said. “Your jacket looks cool.”





Chapter Twelve




“You sure it’s okay for me to come?” Ryker asked Daisy as they pulled into the parking lot of the Thirsty Iguana restaurant.

“Yes, I want them to see that you’re not some crazy kidnapper holding me hostage,” Daisy said. “Jeez, are those news vans? Are they here for you?” She looked at the vans with dismay.

“’Fraid so,” Ryker said with a sigh. “Welcome to my world.”

“How did they know we’d be here?” Daisy asked, scowling as they climbed out of Ryker’s sports car.

“I told Walt that I was taking you out here tonight,” Ryker said with annoyance. “He must have tipped them off. I’m sorry – I hope it doesn’t ruin your evening.”

“Nah, it’s okay, as long as they don’t actually come into the restaurant and take pictures of me shoveling food into my mouth. I know that the news media is part of the package with you. I mean, we are trying to show your investors what a good boy you are these days, right?” Daisy flashed him a teasing grin.

He laughed at that. “Apparently this is getting a lot of positive social media attention. People like the fact that you’re a teacher at an inner city school.”

“Yes, I’m an absolute saint,” Daisy said drolly as they strolled towards the front door of the restaurant.

Reporters shouted questions at them as they walked.

“Hey, Ryker, when you going to make an honest wolf out of her?”

“Ryker, why don’t you put a ring on it?”

And surprisingly, “Daisy, where’d you get that jacket?” several of them yelled at her.

She called back over her shoulder, “It’s a JKat original!”

Then Ryker spun towards the reporters and pulled his trademark move – partially shifted, his head gone full wolf, and snarling at them. That was what he always did when the press started to annoy him. He’d told her that it not only helped him blow off steam, but the press and the public actually ate it up.

Cadence and Larissa, who were standing in the doorway waiting for her, looked less impressed, however. Larissa’s eyes were wide with alarm, and Cadence was openly staring at Ryker as if he might go rabid at any moment.

“Guys, relax!” Daisy said. “It’s all for show!”

As soon as they got inside, Larissa grabbed her by the arm and dragged her aside while Ryker went to order them all drinks.

“All for show? He’s crazy!” Larissa hissed in her ear. “Does he beat you?”

“Are you insane?” Daisy said indignantly. “That is actually offensive. If he raised a paw to me in violence, I’d be out of there so fast I’d leave scorch marks.”

Larissa had never seen Daisy happy with a guy before, and she was acting all kinds of weird about it. Daisy was starting to suspect that since Larissa could never seem to get a guy to stick around, she resented it when anybody else was happy. Or at least specifically when Daisy was happy. Larissa pretty much ignored Cadence and her dating life – maybe because Cadence had flat-out declared that she had no intention of settling down, ever.

They headed for a high-top table and settled in as Ryker returned with a tray of margaritas, chips and salsa.

Cadence deliberately sat across from Larissa. She had a frown pinching her brows together, and she kept shooting Larissa dirty looks. The conversation was awkward and strained. Finally, Daisy grabbed Cadence. Larissa stood up, but Daisy shook her head. “I need to talk to her for a minute,” she said, and left Larissa at the table, pouting.

“Cadence, what’s up?” she asked. “Why are you mad at Larissa?”

“Other than the fact that she’s Larissa?”

“Yes. She’s been Larissa for the entire five months that we’ve lived together. Why are you particularly mad at her now?”

Cadence glanced around. “Well…okay, I didn’t know if I should tell you this or not. The other day I got out of work early. I went to this park on the north side of town to do some sketching, and I saw Larissa there…with Ronald. Your Ronald.”