Page 68 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Stephen, you don’t understand.” He made a face and I shook my head. “Can we just go in now?”

A deep sound left his lips before he opened his door. I was out before he could come around to my side. I joined him and we walked up together. By the time we made it to our room, I was still reeling over how easily he’d sprung to my defense. If only he knew.

He wouldn’t be so quick to offer me rides anymore.

“Should I sleep with him?”

“What, like tonight?”

She ran her finger over her bottom lip. “Yeah.”

“No.”

“Why, because you want him?”

“God, Christa. No. I already told you that.”

The gang was back at the Brewhouse, minus Kate who had plans, but plus a Christa who couldn’t keep her tongue to herself. We hadn’t been there long, but she and Adam had already become well-acquainted.

She pulled me farther towards the end of the bar while keeping an eye on the man she was preying on tonight. I’d figured they’d hit it off no problem, but I was still questioning my decision to introduce them in the first place. I didn’t want her to treat him like every other guy; I wanted them to… what, date? Ha. This was Christa. I was more worried about Adam getting hurt, but he was a big boy. He knew going in that she didn’t do boyfriends.

“He’s got this innocent vibe going on, like a sweet country boy. It makes me want to corrupt him and make him very, very bad.”

“He’s probably not as innocent as you think.” But then again, how did I know? “But he is a sweet guy. He’d make good boyfriend material.” She shuddered. Yeah, I’d said it. I said the B-word. “That’s why I said not to sleep with him tonight. Maybe wait a bit and see if you like him.”

She turned to face him. He was down at the other end and looking at us. “I already know I like him, Perry.” She blew him a kiss and he grinned. “I like him a lot. I wouldn’t have a one-nighter with him otherwise. I do have some standards.”

All right, this was a lost cause. “Dre told me today that he needs the seats and carpets replaced.”

She snorted. “Bet he wouldn’t complain about a speck of dirt from your shoes now, huh?”

“Christa! Don’t you even feel a little bad about it?”

“No. It’s a fucking object, Perry. He’s the one who turned it into a thing of worship. It’s not like we hurt his dog. You need to get over this, and don’t forget about our promise. He doesn’t need to know what happened.”

“I didn’t forget, Christa.”

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m really hungry and nature is calling.”

I headed back to my table. Dammit. All that time up at the bar and I’d forgotten to order something. I was about to return when I noticed a gorgeous pink-colored drink sitting at my spot.

“Hey, what’s this?” I asked, sliding onto my seat. Stephen was one over drinking a bottle of beer.

“Prickly pear margarita. The waitress came around so I took a chance.”

“Oh, thank you.” I took a sip. It tasted like a mixture of melon and berries. “I love sweet drinks. It’s perfect.”

He laughed. “I know.”

I stared over at Christa and Adam. She was sitting on his lap, dragging her fingers through his hair. “I wonder if it was the right thing inviting her.”

“Does seeing them together bother you?”

I looked back at him. His jaw was tight. “No, it doesn’t bother me.” Did he think I was jealous? “You know, you never did tell me why you turned her down that night.”

“Yes, I did. I told you she wasn’t my type.”

“She’s everyone’s type.”

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