Page 2 of Hunt for the Roses
Kate and I do a little victory dance in our seats as the bartender places the drinks in front of us, and we clink glasses before we each take a sip.
“Perks of being a woman,” Dane says before he takes a sip from his beer.
“Yep,” Trent agrees as he takes a sip of his.
I look at Dane. “Did it ever occur to you that we’re just that good of singers?”
“And dancers,” Kate chimes in as she vaguely points a finger.
Dane turns to Kate. “And good at having tits?”
“Oh please,” Kate says as she waves Dane’s comment off to take another sip of her cocktail.
Dane gestures a hand between Trent and Kyle. “Guys? Help here?”
Trent is the next to speak. “Okay, what Dane is so eloquently trying to say is that if he and I went up there to perform karaoke, we’re pretty sure we’d still be paying for our drinks right now.”
“Thank you,” Dane says as he taps his beer bottle with Trent’s and takes a sip.
I turn to look up at Kyle with a smirk. “You’re quiet over there.”
He exhales as if he’s been found guilty. “Sorry, babe, I may have to agree with the boys on this.”
I wave him off playfully. “Ugh, what good are you?”
He chuckles as he nips my ear. “I’m good for a lot.”
I giggle as his breath tickles my ear, and then Kate looks between Dane and Trent. “Well, if what you’re saying is true, I love reaping the benefits,” she gloats as she stretches a victorious smile across her face.
Dane downs the rest of his beer before he gets up from the booth. “Alright, I’m going to head to the bar to buy another drink. Anyone want one?”
The rest of us shake our heads in response, and as Dane walks away, Trent says, “That may be the last we see of him tonight.”
Trent is implying that Dane is most likely going to find a girl to bring home and hook up with. To catch you up, Dane Hudson is the epitome of a womanizer. He has no problem charming women between his quick wit and good looks, so it’s only inevitable that he leaves without a trace sometimes. Dane’s stark hazel eyes, one-to-one ratio lips, and aristocratic nose directly contrast his square, stubbled jaw line and dark wavy brown hair that’s thicker on the top. Not to mention his six-foot-two athletic and lean build that keeps the girls flocking to him. He’s a Casanova alright, so I guess I can’t really blame him for taking advantage of his blessed looks.
I turn to Kyle. “Do you ever miss it? The single life?”
Kyle narrows his eyes. “Is this a trick question?”
“No.” I laugh.
“Ari, how can Kyle possibly miss the single life when he has you?” Kate asks.
I place my hands over my heart. “Aww, thanks, babe.” Kyle grabs my chin to kiss my cheek, and I smile as I roll my eyes playfully. “Yeah, yeah.”
“I’m surprised you’re not on the prowl like Dane is,” Kate says, as she turns to Trent.
Trent finishes his sip of beer and shrugs. “Not really feeling up to it tonight.”
Kate feigns shock. “Wow, I’m impressed.”
“Hey, I have standards sometimes,” Trent claims as he holds his hands out in defense.
“Are we not going to mention the girl you picked up at Shippers a couple of weekends ago? The one who was practically giving you a lap dance at the table in front of all of us?”
Trent looks between all of us with a tight-lipped smile. “Not my proudest moment. Definitely misjudged that.”
Kyle and I laugh as we both take sips of our drinks, and for the next hour or so, the remaining four of us engage in more conversation and laughs before heading home. To say the least, tonight is just one of the many nights that make life worth living.
