Page 148 of Firecracker

“Iguess I need a new wing man.” Jamie morosely regarded Tyler. “Seems like you’re out of the running now.”

Arden laughed.

They were all seated around the fireplace at Shenanigans. Arden was working but was taking her break for a few minutes, leaning against Tyler’s chair. Jamie, Mila, and Danny were there too. They were celebrating Tyler’s promotion, informally since Arden was working. She and Tyler would celebrate properly some other night.

Evan Crenshaw had been off on leave since the fire where they’d found the body, getting treatment for PTSD. Tyler had been commended for how he’d taken control and had gotten Evan out of that house. There were times when his need to fix things was definitely a benefit.

Tyler was sympathetic to the guy, and felt a little guilty about being promoted ahead of him, even though he knew he was a better candidate than Evan. This wasn’t how he’d wanted it to happen.

“I’ll be your wing man,” Mila offered. “I’m single now.”

“You can’t be my wing man.” Jamie frowned.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re not a man.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious.” Mila wrinkled her nose at him as she sipped her cocktail. “I’ll have you know I can wing as well as any man.”

Everyone else laughed.

“No,” Jamie said patiently. “The idea of a wing man is to help keep the target girl’s friend occupied.”

“I can do that. I can strike up a conversation with a couple of women. In fact, it might work better than another man. Less threatening.” She paused. “What the hell am I even saying? This is totally obnoxious. Women aren’t ‘targets.’ That’s disgusting and predatory.”

“Well, that’s settled then,” Jamie said dryly.

Arden shook her head. “I think Mila’s the one who needs a wing man.”

Mila eyebrows rose. “It’s predatory whichever gender is doing it.”

“True. But you said you want to meet guys and have meaningless sex.”

“I did.” Mila tapped her chin and narrowed her eyes at Jamie. “Oh, hey, she’s right. You totally could help me with that.”

Jamie choked. “What? Me? How?”

Arden felt Tyler’s big body vibrating with suppressed laughter.

“We could go out together,” Mila said. “Just as friends, you know. Which we are. Friends. We could help each other meet other people. I’m not looking for a boyfriend anymore. I just want some action. But I’m not very good at it. You can teach me how to do that, since you’re an expert.”

“I’m not helping you pick up guys,” Jamie said, frowning.

“Why not?” Liam paused by their grouping at that moment.

“Because…” Jamie floundered. “Because…”

“Because it’s slutty?” Mila challenged him. “It’s okay for men to do it, but not women?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Prove me wrong, then.”

“This is stupid,” he muttered.

“What do you think, Danny?” Liam asked.

Arden watched the eye contact between Danny and Liam. Danny appeared relaxed, dressed in faded jeans and fitted shirt, one ankle resting on the opposite knee. Liam on the other hand was tense and twitchy, his expression grim.

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