I take a breath. “I guess he was viewed as a man in power.” I give Jasper a few flirtatious blinks. “That whole man in power thing always manages to rev a girl’s engine. It might have looked as if he was on the sidelines—sure, he was virtually unemployed, but he was Bobbie’s husband. They were a supercouple. And there are women out there who not only wanted a taste of Bobbie’s lifestyle—they wanted it all, including her husband.”
“It makes sense,” Jasper says. “She built her brand around her successful marriage. Everyone wanted her success. And some people wanted her husband. Being married to her gave him a certain status.”
Camila nods. “I thought he was a hottie. I had no idea he was available.” I could have easily made my move that night. She shoots me a look. And don’t you dare judge me, Bizzy. You take your two-bit mind reading act and shoo on out of my head.
I make a face.
Years ago, Camila had foolishly traded Jasper in for Leo. Leo Granger, my fellow telesensual, made the grave error of filling her in on his supernatural secret. Of course, he claimed it was because he thought they were a forever deal. Too bad I wasn’t in his life at that point. I could have told him that Camila Ryder wasn’t the one for him. He deserves someone sweet and sane like my bestie—the exact woman he’s engaged to at present. All right, fine. I didn’t exactly see that one coming either, but I’m glad it’s working out for them.
A thought comes to me. “Camila, did Bobbie ever disparage Chip to her followers? You know, shame him for anything?”
She pulls a nail file out of her desk and starts sawing away at her left hand.
“There was this one time last summer when he bought what she called a hillbilly bathtub. It was basically an above ground pool of some kind. She thought it was funny and showed it to all of her followers. Chip was inside it sitting on a float with a beer in hand. It seemed all in fun.” She cocks her head to the side. “Oh, and this one time where she went on and on about the annoying way he chews his ice. She said she had to resort to meditation just to sit next to him. I guess they didn’t know how to communicate either.”
“When did she say that thing about the ice?” I warm Jasper’s back with my hand as a silent assurance. He, too, chews his ice at frightening decibels, and it has no bearings on my sanity. At least not yet.
“Hmm…” Camila squints to the ceiling. “Just about a month ago.”
Jasper nods. “I’m guessing there were cracks in the armor she wasn’t sharing with her fans.”
A dark laugh strums from Camila. “Just like there might be cracks in the armor the two of you aren’t sharing with me.”
“Watch it,” I say. “And I thought we were good after I helped prove your innocence last October.”
Fish mewls, You should have let her fry.
Sherlock pats me on the leg with his paw. The woman knows how to suck people in, Bizzy.
I’m starting to think I was not only sucked in, but that I’ve got the word sucker printed on my forehead as well.
“We are good,” Camila snips. I’m just keeping my options open should the occasion arise.
Sugar nuzzles her furry face into my neck. I wouldn’t trust her, Bizzy. She’s not your friend. A person like that isn’t above lying. But then again, she was telling the truth about Chip. He did like the attention he was getting. He was very nice to all the girls I saw him with.
Sugar saw him with girls!
Here’s hoping she’s the key to this homicide investigation.
Camila lifts a glossy red fingernail my way. “I’ll be at the Perfect Pairing Valentine’s event at the inn. And congratulations to the both of you on gaining a new stepparent. I’ll be front and center for your mother’s big day, Jasper.”
“What big day?” He looks a little more than perplexed.
A tiny gasp gets caught in my throat. “Did I forget to mention that? I’m so sorry. Your mom and my dad are tying the knot on Valentine’s Day at the inn.”
He backs up a notch. “Wow. I knew they were engaged, but the thought of them making it official catches me off guard. I’ll have to talk to my brothers and sister. I guess this is really happening, and there’s not a thing we can do about it. I hope she realizes what she’s getting into.”
If my dad didn’t have a dicey track record when it comes to holy matrimony, I might be insulted. But as it stands, I’m with him on that whole I-hope-his-mother-knows-what-she’s-getting-into deal.
I bite down on my lip a moment. “If she doesn’t, she will soon enough. Here’s hoping they make it.”
“Anything else I should know?”
“Hux and Mackenzie are tying the knot at the same time. It’s sort of a double whammy for the family.”
Jasper’s chest bounces. “Let’s hope he knows what he’s getting into.”
“He’ll figure it out,” Camila says, adding her two cents. “And when he does, I’ll be there waiting. I’ve got dibs when she dumps him.”
“Here’s a novel idea,” I say. “Find someone who’s available. Aren’t you required to bring a date to that Perfect Pairing event?”
Her shoulders slump at the thought. “It’s not required, but I’ll hunt one down even if I have to bring that wiry dog of yours. I’m not spending Valentine’s Day alone.” Sherlock barks in protest, and Camila wastes no time in scowling over at him. “Oh hush, you.”
Jasper’s phone goes off, and he frowns. “I’ve got a meeting in twenty minutes.”
“Twenty minutes is plenty of time for an office picnic,” I say, popping Fish and Sugar back into my carrier and handing the boxes of food to Jasper.
