“You ever been in love, Kate?” I asked.

She groaned and placed her palms on the table with a bang. “What is your obsession with love, Rose Gardner? This isn’t some damn romance novel.”

“You said I could ask anything I wanted. So I’m asking.” I leaned forward. “Have you ever been in love?”

Her eyes softened for a split second, and she sat up taller in her seat but didn’t answer.

I pressed on anyway. “What happened?”

“Who said anything happened?”

“It’s obvious you’re a free agent,” I said, sweeping my hand over the table. “No man in sight, but you’re obsessed with your brother’s love life. Trying to live vicariously through him?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” she spat out.

“What’s your obsession with Mason?” I asked.

She released a short laugh. “Who said I’m obsessed with your ex-boyfriend?” She gave me a mocking grin. “Yeah, I know about that, too.”

“Wow,” Neely Kate said, “You’re awfully tuned in to Fenton County gossip for a newcomer. Who’s your source?”

Kate wagged her finger tsking. “A lady never talks.”

“True,” Neely Kate drawled. “So why aren’t you talkin’?”

Kate burst out laughing. “You two have a lot of piss water and vinegar for two girls on the defensive.”

“Well,” I said, giving her a cold stare, “let’s get a few things straight. First, we’re women, not girls. And second, we are not on the defensive.” The moment the last sentence left my mouth, a shiver ran down my back. Shoot. I’d just played a hand I hadn’t meant to reveal. We needed to let J.R. think we were walking into his trap. But we’d probably played our hand anyway—the very fact that we were here questioning Kate was an admission that we weren’t taking this lying down. “Let’s cut the bull, Kate. I know you have a more-than-healthy interest in Mason Deveraux.”

“You’re barking up the wrong tree, sweetie pie.”

“What’s that mean?” Neely Kate asked.

She shrugged. “Figure it out for yourself.”

The waitress brought our drinks and asked if we wanted to order any food, but we told her we were good.

As soon as she walked away, Neely Kate asked, “So you’re denying you’re interested in Mason?”

Kate laughed. “I wasn’t, but maybe I’ll take a stab at him now that he’s unshackled.” Her eyes lit up as a wicked grin spread across her face. “The straight-laced ones tend to be a bit dark and wild in the bedroom. Did you find that to be true, Rose Petal?”

My face burned.

She leaned forward. “I had the perfect view of him in his office. I thought about dropping in on him and paying him a visit . . .” Her eyes danced. “Kind of like you used to do, but it looked pretty vanilla. I’d show him what it’s like with a real woman.”

I gasped, but Neely Kate jumped in. “What’s your father’s end goal?”

“Seriously?” Kate shook her head. “Have you suffered a traumatic brain injury recently? Any fool can figure out what he wants. Freedom. Revenge. The usual.”

“Who did you fall in love with?” I asked.

Both women looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

“We’re back to that?” Kate asked in disbelief, but the look in her eyes confirmed I was on the right track.

“Come on, it’s girl talk. I share, you share. Isn’t that how it works?” I asked.

Kate chuckled. “You’re really going to share your sexy times with me? You?”

I hoped to God I didn’t regret this. “How about we take turns asking questions? But we have to answer truthfully.”

Kate rested her forearms on the table, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s like our own truth or dare, only just the truth. Too bad we don’t have any tequila.”

I didn’t share that sentiment. I suspected I’d never drink tequila again after my experience with Daniel Crocker eight months ago. But the memory only confirmed that I wasn’t the same blushing virgin who’d feared her own shadow. I could do this. I would do this if it helped us survive. After all, talking about intimate matters with Kate paled in comparison to the other challenges I’d faced.

I leaned forward and asked again, “How many times have you been in love?”

She gave me a haughty grin. “Once. Now my turn.” Her grin turned wicked. “What’s Mason’s favorite position?”

“You don’t want to ask me how many times I’ve been in love?” I countered, trying to stall.

She snorted. “Hell, no. Why would I ask you a question that I could answer myself?”

“Do you think I was in love with Joe?”

She lifted her finger and wagged it at me. “It’s not your turn. You answer my question now.” She grinned. “Mason’s favorite position.”

I took a breath. “I don’t know that he has one.” I felt my face getting hot. “We often switch.”

“Do tell.” She grinned. “What are they?”

I fought to hold her gaze. “Me on top and missionary.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “What about a reverse cowgirl?”

I was going to die of embarrassment. “No.”

She shook her head, tsking. “Note to self: Show Mason Deveraux a reverse cowgirl and ride him hard.”

Jealously struck fast and furious, but Neely Kate put her hand on my knee and squeezed hard.

I had to phrase my next question carefully, because it didn’t take a genius to see that the closer I got to her secret, the more she would try to shake me up with humiliating questions. “Why did you break up with the man you loved?”

Her eyes were guarded. “Difference of opinion.”

“Sorry,” Neely Kate said, “you’ll need to expand on who had the difference of opinion.”

Anger washed over Kate’s face before she finally spat out, “My father.”

I wasn’t sure why that caught me by surprise. Her father hadn’t approved of Joe’s previous girlfriends. It made sense he’d be just as critical of Kate’s choices. Especially if she’d found someone more fringe like her. He would have been an embarrassment.