Iris’s eyes flared. “He licks his lips excessively.”
Adelaide’s shoulders slumped. “That isn’t the only reason.”
Hope flipped her long, black hair behind her shoulders. “No, girl, I get it. Lip lickers either have slimy, spitty lips or dry, cracked lips—and neither is fun to kiss.”
Roddy cleared his throat. “Are you implying you’ve kissed someone other than me?”
Hope grinned at him. “Of course not, honey. I have never even seen another man. I’ve only read articles.”
Rodrigo blew a kiss to his almost-wife. “That’s right, baby.”
“What else was wrong with the guy?” I wasn’t done with this topic yet.
Adelaide’s eyes met mine, and if I wasn’t mistaken, sadness brimmed at the corners. “He wasn’t what I wanted.”
“What do you want?”
Her mouth tightened. “Can we talk about this later?”
Iris spoke up before I could. “I want to know what you want. I know a few guys who would be all about you.”
Ronan groaned. “Love…”
She held up a finger. “Shush, you. Obviously Adelaide is looking for a partner. If I can help with that, I will.”
I leaned back in my chair, taking in my two female best friends. I didn’t like them bonding. I should’ve, but Iris could be a force for evil if she chose, and I didn’t want her corrupting my Baddie—especially not with whatever kind of douche she thought to set Adelaide up with.
“Is it obvious Adelaide’s looking for a partner?” I rubbed my chin, the scruff thicker than normal. Baddie had told me she liked it like that, so I was giving it a whirl. “To me, it’s not so obvious.”
“What’s that mean?” Adelaide asked.
“You keep going out with the guys who’re clearly not for you. And if they are decent, you find a reason not to be into them. Licking lips, close talking, fast walking.” I tossed open my hands. “Maybe you don’t want a relationship. Maybe you don’t really want to be there, so you let it fade before it turns into something.”
“Wow.” She sank down in her chair and laughed, but it was hollow. “You really aren’t getting a Christmas present this year.”
Roddy turned to me, leaning in. “That was uncalled for.”
“I didn’t say anything wrong or untrue,” I muttered.
He clamped down on my shoulder. “Jesus, man. Have a fucking heart. Calling your girl out at a table full of your friends? Not cool. You just said, ‘it’s not them, it’s you.’ If you don’t find that wrong, then I don’t know what to tell you.”
I turned my head from Roddy to check in on Adelaide. Her eyes were burning holes through her empty plate. Her arms were wrapped around her middle. Iris was speaking to her, and Baddie was tilted toward her, listening but not giving much back.
Fuck.
I’d messed up. In front of everyone. Why did my mouth have to be so goddamn big? Well, this wouldn’t stand. No one hurt her, not even me.
Throwing my napkin down on my plate, I rounded the table to Adelaide and dropped to my knees. She squealed when I gripped the legs of her chair and turned it so she was facing me then took her knees in my hands.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that shit,” I whispered.
She sighed. “Will you get off the floor?”
“If you want me to. I’m available to be your footrest if you prefer.”
That made her snort a little laugh. “I might be interested in that in private. I think I’ve had enough of being the center of attention tonight.”
Exhaling, I bowed my head. “I reacted in a shitty way to you not telling me you’re dating.”