Knots (Club Imperial Book 4) (2 page)

Cece had a very hard time not snorting out loud at that statement. The girls Emmy kept company with were more appreciative of a hot body than those Botox-enhanced, big-titted bimbos could possibly imagine.

“Well, if no one says anything, I'm not taking the initiative,” Saundra said. “Her kooky friends can do that.”

“They'll probably go to the Grange,” Diane giggled.

Tory laughed, “They can get a kick out of the gun shot scars.”

“And all those sexy c-section scars,” Saundra offered.

“Bad fake boobs everywhere!” Diane said.

Bridget and Tory laughed hard at that one, and Cece wanted to punch all of them. The guys and girls at The Grange were human, and just because they weren't in at a place like Imperial didn't make them any less deserving of respect. 

“They should all pool their tips and get those fixed,” Saundra suggested. “At lease mine look good.”

“Yes they do!” Tory said. Cece wanted to laugh
again
. Saundra had one of the worst boob jobs she'd ever seen.

“So then we agree,” Diane stated. “We're not going to any lengths to set something up and if someone does, we'll hope we're not invited. Let them enjoy those skanks.” The three of them giggled and kept chatting quietly as they walked out.

Down, Cece,
she shided herself, trying not to vault out of the stall and beat the shit out of them. These bitches just didn't know any better. They had never been in the real world and didn't know those guys and girls at the Grange. She did.

Cece sighed, finishing up her business and walked out of the stall just as Morgan, Lisa, Nadine and Chantal walked in led by Allison. Allison squealed when she saw her. “Yeay! You're here!” She shoved the door closed and leaned against it.

Cece looked at the young girl and smiled. “What are you up to?”

“I heard someone mention a bachelorette party and I realized that as my sister's maid of honor, I was supposed to do that!” Allison’s tone was conspiratorial.

The four of them exchanged glances, and Olivia spoke first. “Allison, how much do you know about your sister...?”

Allison rolled her eyes. “Plenty,” she said. “She likes it kinky. She used to work the rooms at Club Imperial, and you all still do.”

Chantal put a hand over her mouth and Morgan laughed. “We don't all, but I do work there,” she said. “Who explained this to you?”

“Victor. He seemed to be more comfortable explaining it to me. He was nice and clinical about it. Anyway, what's that got to do with anything? My sister is getting married and she needs a bachelorette party.”

“Ally.” Chantal employed her explanation voice. “Most bachelorette parties
go
to places like Imperial for the party. Your sister was the Prima Domme. It's not exactly a party if she worked there.”

“Duh, I know that,” Ally answered. “I was thinking that we could all go out for a nice plain night out. Just to like a bar or something. Something that comes off as normal for every one else and exotic for you guys.”

“You're fifteen, girl,” Olivia stated. “You can't get into a bar.”

“Well...” Morgan drawled. “I do know a bar that has a eighteen and over night once a month.”

“You missed by three years,” Chantal said.

“I also know someone who makes impeccable fake IDs,” Morgan continued.

“You're going to be a judge and you're going to get someone a fake id?” Nadine was clearly appalled.

“I am not contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” Lisa folded her arms in mock protest.

“I am,” Chantal said.

“Me too,” Cece agreed. “I like the idea that instead of going to a strip club, all of us kinky chicks take her out for a nice vanilla night on the town.” She looked at Morgan. “What club were you thinking of?”

Morgan blushed. “Downbound.”

Chantal laughed. “Judging by how you just pinked up, you've got someone there you're interested in.” Morgan smiled and shrugged. “Fine, keep your secrets. Get Ally the ID and we'll get this all together. Should we invite anyone else?”

“No,” Cece said. “Just the people in the bridal party, and us. The other won't get it.”

“Deal.” Chantal put her arm around Ally. “Good call, kiddo.” Ally smiled and stood a little straighter. “Now, we all need to get back out there. This is one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh and I'm not missing this dinner!”

The five of them walked out of the bathroom and back to the tables. Cece saw Diane watching her, and delighted in the mortification that slid over her face as she realized Cece had been in the restroom and over heard all the nasty remarks the three of them were making. Cece smiled and wiggled her fingers at her. The mortification turned to disgust, and she wrapped her around Killian again.

Cece turned away, and sat down. The food smelled fantastic and she decided that it was worth it to see the horror on Diane's face and the love on Emmy's.

*  *  *

Killian watched as Cece sat down near Morgan and Chantal. They were conspiring with Emmy's little sister about something, but Emmy didn't notice. Diane noticed Cece's sarcastic little wave and let go of his shoulders. She trotted off to go talk someone or another; he really didn't care.

A body plunked into the chair next to him. He looked over and found Nathaniel sitting there. He stared at him, then followed his line of sight, then came back to stare at him. “Something you like over there, man?”

Killian grunted. Of course there was.

“Why don't you get off your ass and go over there and talk to her?” Nathaniel asked.

Killian slowly turned his head. “With Diane
right
over there?”

“You are not engaged to her.” Nathaniel reprimanded him.

“May as well be. “

“Because everyone had me and Jillian married, too.” Nathaniel shook his head. “Clearly, I'm not marrying her. Don't let them tell you what to do, Kay.”

“I don't know, Nathaniel,. Cece Robbe is about the hottest thing on the planet, and she's super intelligent. What on earth would she want with a screw up like me?”

Nathaniel turned in the chair to face him. “Doctor McInnis, did you just call yourself a screw up?”

“You know I am.” Killian took a sip of his beer.

“How the hell are you a screw up?”

“Do you know what they call the person who graduated at the bottom of their med school class? Doctor.” Killian put is beer down and looked at him. “I almost didn't make it.”

“You were in hell those last few months of med school. And you saved my fucking life, asshole. So you are not a screw up. And Cece Robbe loves a brilliant mind. If you're really afraid that you're a screw up, why don't you apprentice under someone? Get a little more confidence.”

Killian blinked a few times, and then tapped a finger on the table. “You know, that's not a bad idea,” he said.

“You are better than you think you are. Go find a doctor who's going to show you that. And then you can go after that sexy vixen.”

“Which sexy vixen?” Emmy stuck her head between them. “Is this a private confab?”

“Killian here has been lusting after Cece Robbe for years. At least fifteen, if not more.” Emmy choked, and coughed to clear her throat. Clearly that meant something to Nathaniel because he slowly turned his head and looked at her with his eyes wide. “Emmy?”

She held up her hand, a smirk plastered on her face. “I'll tell you later.. Look, Killian, if you like her, go after her.”

“I wish it were that easy.”

“It is,” Emmy said.

“Not with Diane around.”

“Why are you so worried about her?” Emmy quirked an eyebrow.

“Her father is the head of surgery.”

Emmy poked him in the shoulder. “You need to decide if your career or your heart is more important, Kay.”

He looked at her. “How can I think about supporting her if my career is in the flusher?”

“So you’d give up something you could love for something that has cheating bitch written all over it?” Emmy asked. “It’s not all about the career, Kay.”

“Oh, you can say that now, Miss Future Millionaire.”

Emmy stood up straight, and her face went blank and angry. “Don’t you dare throw that in my face.”

Killian cringed and saw Nathaniel do the same. He’d crossed a line: that was not something you said to Emmy Westerly-soon-to-be-Walsh. Because either she was going to beat his ass or Nathaniel would. “Sorry. That was rude. Forgive me. I know you’re not like that.”

She cuffed him on the back of the head. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“Hey now,” Nathaniel said.

“You have a whole other set of qualities, especially that ass.” She slapped him through the chair and Nathaniel jumped, laughing. She looked back at Killian. “Seriously. You can’t base your life on what the head surgeon thinks of you personally. Impress the hell out of him and it won’t make a difference if you’re fucking his daughter or not.”

Killian mentally heaved. Diane in his bed? Well, that's what he was signing up for if that was the case. If he was really choosing career over love. He looked over at Diane and she was talking to one of her friends. He could almost hear the cackling among the hens.

“You should talk to her.” Emmy took Nathaniel’s hand and pulled him out of the chair. “Cece Robbe is one of the last genuine women left in these circles. If you expect to keep your family happy, which I think is bullshit, you'd better make your choice between her and Diane.”

And Nathaniel was gone, pulled down the hall by his fiancée. Probably to have some party sex in the lounge. He looked around to find Cece and didn't see her anywhere. Her friends were still there, but she was gone. He wanted to see if he could find her to at least talk to her.

He walked by Diane and the Hens and ignored them, even though Diane was clearly motioning him over. Killian wandered down the hall to see if perhaps Cece had gone to get some fresh air, and heard her arguing with someone.

Curosity killed the cat. He edged closer to where the voices were.

“...disown you,” said the male voice.

“Chas, stop.” It was clearly Cece and she was clearly upset. “They aren't going to disown me because I choose to work.”

“You have no idea how upset your mother is with this silliness.” Her brother’s voice was condescending and rude. “Cece, they just want the best for you. Sell that cottage. Come back home. Paul Wainwright has been asking after you for years. Let mom and dad set it up.”

“Paul Wainwright?” Cece gasped and laughed, and Killian has trouble keeping his same reaction under control. “You are kidding. The boy who pulled my hair and shoved me in the mud, and called me Pee-pee?”

“He's grown up, Cece.”

“So have I,” she answered. “I'm
really
not interested in Paul, Chas. And frankly, I don’t think he’s even remotely interested in me.”

“What about Monday night dinner? Mom wants to make it a weekly thing.”

“I... can't.” Cece’s voice hitched and stuttered. “I have a standing engagement on Monday nights.”

“Engagement?” Chas asked. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No... it's... uh. It's complicated. I can't do Mondays or Thursdays.”

“You do have a boyfriend!” Chas exclaimed, but there was only accusation in his tone.

“No, Charles,
please
,” Cece begged. “I don't have a boyfriend. Please don't spread that rumor. When I have a boyfriend, I'll let you know. I swear. If mom will agree to dinner on Tuesdays, I'll be there. I just cannot get out of my Monday-Thursday arrangement.”

“Cece, mom just wants to see you happy,” he repeated.

“For
fuck sake
, I am happy!” she snapped. “I am happy working at the library and hanging out with my friends. I don’t need mom and dad imposing their brand of happy on me. I like my house, I like my whole damn life. So stop it, please. Don’t tell mom I have a boyfriend because I don’t. Tell her that I’m happy for dinner on Tuesday. And Chas,  try to understand that what I’m doing makes me happy.”

He heard her turn and walk down the hall, slamming her feet on the floor and disappearing.

Chas Robbe turned the corner and ran smack into Killian.

Killian didn’t let himself miss a beat. “Hey, Chas. Whoa, slow down! What are you doing here?”

“Nathaniel invited me,” he snapped.

“Not what I meant, man. How have you been?”

“Fine,” Charles was immediately suspicious.

“I couldn’t help but overhear.” Killian changed tack. “Paul is asking after Cece?”

“Yes.” Killian cringed. Now the slimy bastard was smiling. “His mother and father approached ours and talked about it.” Chas perked up and took a hard look at Killian. “Do you think that you could talk to her? She's being irrational and--”

“Chas, Chas.” Killian put his hands up. “I don't know her that well. She's not going to sit down and talk to me about marriage. I doubt she'd even have a drink with me.”

Chas sighed. “I just don't know what to do with her.”