Good To Be Bad (Good Love #3) - Lili Valente Page 0,53

photos the next day.

Or so I was told.

I was uninvited after I wrapped the stripper in my coat and gave her a ride to her flat.

I’m not a violent man and have never thrown the first punch, but for some reason, I desperately want to hit Hawley. And not just because he’s apparently fucking with the equipment in an attempt to cheat his way to the top.

No, it’s because of Gigi.

Of what she said the other night.

You should be more kind and careful with a lover than a friend.

She’s so fucking right. And instead of being kind or careful with my sister, this man made Abby feel like she’s a fool who doesn’t deserve to be treasured or adored. And yes, Hawley’s been a piece of shit for a while now, but the way I feel for Gigi brings home in a new way just how nightmarish it is to accept a woman’s trust and then violate it so brutally.

And the fact that he did that to my sweet, smart, lovely sister…

Smash.

I want to smash his face and worry about the consequences later.

Thankfully, Willow pops into my line of sight before I can do anything rash.

“Hey, West,” she says with an only slightly shy smile. “I saw the crowd outside your place this morning. Congratulations on the amazing opening!”

“Thank you.” I divide my attention between Hawley, who’s now placing the device he was tampering with on the countertop in front of him, and Willow, in front of me. “It was a wonderful surprise. My sister was very excited. And relieved. She’s been more worried about the bottom line.”

“That’s great, though, to have someone focused on that,” Willow says, pushing her glasses up her nose. “I wish I had a money person. And I wish it wasn’t so hot.”

“Boiling,” Gigi agrees as she joins us, hooking her arm through my elbow and shooting a curious look up at me that asks Are you okay?

I sigh. “I’m fine. Willow saved me from myself.” Willow frowns and I explain, “I was on my way to punch Hawley. Or perhaps something slightly less violent, but still inappropriate.”

“It seemed like he was tampering with some of the equipment,” Gigi explains. “But it looks like it’s for his station, so…”

Willow glances over her shoulder and turns back with a thoughtful expression. “Yes, that is his station. He borrowed a screwdriver from one of the organizers so he could slow down the churn speed on his machine. He’s doing a custard.”

Gigi pats my arm. “See there. It’s all good.”

“Well…” Willow tugs a lock of her hair.

“Well?” I prompt. “Has he been bothering you? If so, that face-smashing offer is still on the table.”

She shakes her head. “No, I was just…thinking about the fire at the last event. That hot plate that caught my apron wasn’t plugged in when I got to my station. I know because I checked to make sure I’d have enough room for my mixer and my submersion blender, and nothing else was plugged in. So maybe someone else plugged it in? And I’m not sure, but I think Hawley was the only other person who was ever behind the counter at my station. He was walking around—”

“Sticking his nose into everyone’s business,” I finish with a nod. “I saw that too. And I wouldn’t put sabotage past him. His moral fiber is about as firm as a cookie dunked in milk one too many times.”

Gigi hums beneath her breath. “Or graham crackers. They really do fall to pieces in a cup of milk.”

I glance down at her, a smile breaking across my face at the sight of my earrings glittering against her red curls. Even when I’m in the mood to smash faces, she just gets to me. She’s so damn adorable and beautiful and correct about graham crackers.

I tell her so, then add to Willow, “So be sure to check your station closely and don’t leave it unattended after you do. And Gigi and I have your back, of course.”

“Absolutely,” Gigi agrees.

“But if he did do that…why me?” Willow wonders, her brow furrowing as she fans her flushed face. “I’m not much of a threat.”

Gigi wags a finger her way. “Stop it. You came in second last time, woman! You’re a talent and a force to be reckoned with. If I were into winning via foul play, I’d totally sneak salt into your sugar canister.”

Willow smiles, but it’s almost immediately replaced by a grimace. “I’m going to go check my sugar and