He gives her the annoyed look of a man who just got interrupted in the middle of an important football game. Vi’s smile slips a notch.
What a dick. I pull away from him and step closer to Vi, placing an arm around her in silent support. Don’t believe the overly friendly appearance he’s putting on. I’m not that close to him, kiddo.
“Yeah?” he says roughly, glaring at the girl like it’s her fault his palm isn’t on my shoulder anymore.
“We aren’t late for the wedding, are we?” she asks, her voice small.
“Do you hear the wedding march? No? Exactly,” he snaps.
“Hey.” I glare at him, pissed off at his nastiness, especially when I see how Vi flinches. “What’s your problem?”
He looks shocked that I’m defending Vi. Just what kind of an entitled asshole has he become to think people are going to let him talk to a child like that?
Finally he gives me an awkward smile. “It’s been a very stressful day,” he says, as though that excuses his terrible behavior.
Subhuman trash. This isn’t even his damn wedding, so what does he have to stress about? But then I decide he isn’t worth my time. It isn’t like Vi will be dealing with him much while she’s staying with Wyatt’s parents. Given Louis’s attitude, he probably won’t bother spending any time with her, even if he still lives around here. I just want to get this farce over with so Vi can have the closure she wants and move on, instead of wasting her mental energy on people who don’t deserve it.
“Did Mom already change into her wedding gown?” Vi asks.
“Kind of has to,” Louis says, rolling his eyes. “To get married.”
It’s obvious Vi wants to see the gown and maybe say hello before the ceremony starts. “Where’s her dressing room?” I ask, doing my best to keep my voice level. I’d stick a stiletto into his head, but my shoes deserve better.
He gives me a bright, smarmy smile. “I can take you there.”
The hopeful light in his gaze reminds me of a greedy little bully eying an ice cream sundae that doesn’t belong to him. I suppress a shudder.
“That won’t be necessary. Just give me directions and I’ll go with Wyatt.” I glance over my shoulder. Wyatt’s still speaking with the mayor. Is that vampire trying to get him to contribute to his political campaign? I can’t imagine any other reason for him to be yammering on and on into Wyatt’s ear. And it’s about time he ends the pointless conversation and comes over.
Louis frowns. “You think that’s a good idea? Geneva’s very sensitive.”
Sensitive like a T-rex. And I don’t care if seeing Wyatt upsets her. If his presence is that objectionable, she shouldn’t have invited him. “I think it’s a very good idea.” I smile thinly.
Louis shoots Vi an evil look, obviously blaming her that I’m not leaving with him. “Maybe after the wedding we can hang out…and, you know…”
Hell fucking no. “Yeah, maybe,” I say, only because I don’t want to tell him what I really think in front of Vi.
“Come on. I can give you a ride back home.”
I’d rather eat a frog-topped ice cream sundae. “It’s really far. I live in L.A.,” I say, hoping he’ll get the hint. It’s a good three hours away, even without traffic.
“I don’t mind.” Louis winks a few times, which makes him look like he’s trying to get rid of lint in his eye without using his hands. He leans in like he’s going to give me some sotto voce gossip. “And why would you want to hang out with a guy who gave you herpes, am I right?”
Shock paralyzes me. I can’t even speak. Finally, I manage to croak out, “What?” Did he somehow hear about the things Wyatt told me while we’ve been neighbors? But that doesn’t make sense. Wyatt said I was going to give it to Hugo. He never said anything about giving me herpes.
Before I can probe, Vi says, “What’s herpes?”
She overheard. “Nothing,” I say, glaring at Louis.
He starts to back away. Maybe my death glare is working. Then I feel Wyatt’s hand at my elbow. Louis is now at least two yards away.
“The ceremony’s being held up a little,” Wyatt says. “Apparently the groom needs some more time.” Displeasure is evident in his narrowed eyes. I don’t think he particularly cares about Geneva’s happy ending, but more about giving Vi what she needs. “Oh, hey, Louis,” Wyatt says. His words are friendly, but his tone is cold. Guess they aren’t that close anymore. Even without the divorce, the way Louis talks to Vi would be hard to overlook.
“Hey, Wyatt. Looking good, man.”
“You too.” Wyatt’s smile widens. “That tie is inspired.”
I bite my lip, trying not to burst out laughing. Louis’s tie is a sickly neon yellow, and it clashes horribly against the dark charcoal of his suit.