“Braggadocious.”
I laughed and it was enough to push me out of my mood. “But he’s just...we’ll say, emotionally unavailable.”
TJ refilled all our shot glasses, then she lifted hers. “To orgasms. Sometimes they’re just what we need.”
We all clinked.
“Damn right.” I tossed back the shot. I was pretty sure my tongue was numb. Not a great sign, but I didn’t really want to care right now. I especially didn’t care when Cordie came back with a tray full of sweet treats.
TJ regaled us with a few of the funnier aspects of the Jefferson job. The husband was very hands-on. To the point that TJ was tempted to schedule herself around his hours at work. He had a good heart, but he just kept rethinking his plans. As sweet as he was, he was also the worst kind of client. It took weeks for us to order furniture, rugs, and fabrics most of the time. Change wasn’t a finger snap like they made it look like on television.
The éclair soaked up some of the tequila and I started getting tired. “I have to go home.”
“Aww. It’s early.” Avery pouted.
I pulled out my phone and shut one eye so the numbers cleared. “Not that early.” I turned it for them to see.
“Ouch.” Avery tipped her head onto TJ’s shoulder. “I was up early.”
I swiped my thumb over the wallpaper of my phone. Gizmo’s cute black and white face stared back at me. “Guys, what am I going to do with my cat?”
“Not it!” Avery straightened.
“I know. I’m so past my deadline. I can’t bring him to the shelter.” I sniffled as my eyes filled. “He’s my baby.”
A text popped up on my phone.
Nolan: You all right?
I dabbed the tears away. Why wouldn’t I be all right?
“I gotta go to the ladies.” I slid out of the booth.
“You can’t text that person in front of us?” TJ snatched my phone off the table.
“Hey!”
She quickly put in my code.
“How do you know my code?”
TJ just raised her eyebrow.
“Right.” I sighed. “Privacy obviously means nothing.”
“Is there sexting?” Avery peered over TJ’s shoulder.
“Nope.” TJ looked up and at something behind me. “Stalker much?”
“Huh?”
I smelled him first. Even over the sweet, spicy, and salty array of food around us, there was no missing the cinnamon scent of him.
“You all right?” Nolan gripped the back of the booth above my head. “Seemed like a lot of top shelf shots going on over here.”
“What’s it to you?” I peered up at him. I probably shouldn’t have looked up so fast. And there was quite a few inches to look up. I snickered. And down.
“You following her, slick?” TJ asked.
Avery’s eyes widened as her gaze slid up Nolan’s body. She gave me a good job thumbs up.
I rolled my eyes. “What are you doing here, Beast?”
TJ and Avery’s eyebrows both shot up.
Nolan just folded his arms over his stupidly impressive chest. Why did he have to be so attractive? Especially a righteous body that he wouldn’t let me touch. There was a whole lot that I’d like to explore if he’d just get his stupid head out of his bitable butt.
I frowned. “Whoops. Did I say the beast part out loud?”
“You did.” His jaw tightened.
“Oh, relax.” I stood up and pushed him. “It’s not about your sexy scar. It’s because of your grumpy, growly personality.”
Avery covered her mouth with her hand and gave TJ a sideways look.
“Excuse us.” I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him toward the bathrooms. “What are you doing here? I was having a perfectly fun night with my besss frends.”
“How much tequila did you have?”
