Page 122 of Running Winter

Nice.

"Oh yeah, what's this in aid of?" I teased as Chase slid his hand onto her thigh.

"Easy access," he smirked, and I couldn't help but shake my head at him.

He’s a fucking animal.

"Be nice to Marianna," Rayna ordered as she reapplied her lipstick. "She's still wondering how she is the only girl you haven't fucked."

"Listen," I sighed, checking the road before we crossed. "I don't fuck just anyone, contrary to popular belief."

"Maybe you should get a girlfriend. I know some of Rayna's friends would—Ow!" Chase howled as Rayna jabbed him with her elbow.

"My friends have a pact about Rafe. No-go."

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and I hailed a taxi just to ignore their relentless teasing.

"Chafna in the house," I called out, enjoying Rayna's clear annoyance.

"It sounds like a disease,” Chase said with disgust as I snickered to myself.

"I wouldn't know." I shrugged, waking up slightly when the cab pulled into downtown LA. It was still a novelty to me, and I couldn't wait to check out this new place.

"Okay, I said we would meet Marianna by the—" Rayna began, as I strode up to the bar, ordering a round of drinks.

There was no way I was being stuck with that oxygen thief again.

"Two whiskeys on the rocks and a dirty martini."

The bartender dropped the drinks onto the shiny bar, and I paid with my card.

"Ooh, I love Martini," gushed a voice beside me, and I braced myself for boredom. "Is that mine?"

Marianna was grinning at me hopefully, so I turned back to the bartender.

"Can you make that another martini?" I sighed as Marianna slid her arm through mine.

"Thanks, babe," Marianna trilled, stroking my arm. "You look so good."

There was an awkward silence, and I eventually nodded.

"Thanks."

If she thought I would return the compliment and give this girl an inch—she was mistaken.

"My dress is new. Do you like it?"

Is she for real?

Chase's shoulders shook with laughter, and he turned away as Rayna rolled her eyes at us both.

"It's lovely," I said drily, downing my whiskey.

Maybe if I got drunk enough, my hearing would stop working.

"I went grocery shopping today. The line was so long, I was just like, what the hell, you know?" Marianna continued.

"Wow."

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