Page 105 of Bria and the Tiger

Chapter Fourteen

Bria opened the fridge and grabbed the container of leftovers. She popped a piece of cold roast beef into her mouth and took out a bottle of water. She tightened the belt on her robe and ran her fingers through her wet hair before eating another piece of roast beef.

There was a knock on her apartment door. She glanced down the hallway toward her bedroom, before checking the peep hole and opening the door.

“Hi, honey.” Kat kissed her cheek and pushed past her. “Why are you in your robe? It’s three in the afternoon. Are you sick?”

“No, I’m not sick.”

“Stripes, how’s it going?” Ronin grinned at her as he followed Kat inside.

“Hi, Ronin. Uh, what are you guys doing here?”

Kat and Ronin walked to the kitchen and she glanced at her bedroom again before joining them. Ronin was holding the container of roast beef and he raised his eyebrows at her as his hand hovered over the meat.

“Go ahead.”

“Thanks.” He popped a hunk of meat into his mouth as Kat took off her jacket.

“What, uh, what are you guys doing here?” Bria repeated

“Bowling.” Ronin ate another piece of meat.

“What?”

“We’re going bowling this afternoon with Willow and Mal, and Maggie and Porter,” Kat said. “Come with us.”

“Oh, thanks but I don’t -”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” Kat said. “Mal and Porter’s brother Heath will be there too, so it’s not like it will be all couples and you.”

“They’re trying to set you up with Heath,” Ronin said.

Kat hissed at him and he laughed. “What?”

“That was going to be a…”

“Happy surprise?” Ronin leaned down and kissed Kat’s forehead. “Sorry, Kitten.”

“Thanks for the invitation but I really can’t,” Bria said.

Kat took her hands. “Honey, you can. Heath is a nice guy and I think you’ll like him. Just give him a chance and -”

“Bria?” Jace strolled into the kitchen with just a towel wrapped around his waist. “I was thinking that after my shower, maybe we could go out for a bite to eat. I’m starving and…”

“Jace?” Kat dropped Bria’s hands.

“Hi, Kat. It’s good to see you again.”

“Uh, you too.”

There was silence and then Ronin stepped forward and held out his hand. “Ronin Smith, I’m Kat’s mate.”

Jace shook his hand. “Jace Shepherd. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Bria tried not to blush. Kat was staring at her and it was too quiet in the kitchen, and why the hell did she even answer the door?

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