Page 38 of Cold as Stone
Ginger knocks back her shot and leans forward, giving me an eyeful of cleavage. “Translation, the boys will get drunk, we’ll gossip, and someone will definitely end up naked in the pool. Last time it was our Prospect, Steel. Poor boy still hasn’t recovered.”
I’m intrigued but I still frown, confused. “Why?”
They exchange a look. “Why not? Parties are fun, Lee is hot, and we want to get to know you.”
“Plus,” Ginger adds, wiggling her eyebrows, “I have a bet with Tank about whether you two will sneak off to neck before or after dinner. I’ve got fifty on before.”
“Ginger!” Poppy gasps, but she’s fighting a laugh.
That pulls a reluctant smile from me.
Andi leans in a little. “Also, the food’s going to be amazing. Come for the eye-candy, stay for the brisket.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come,” Ginger purrs. “There’s nothing like watching grown men try to prove who’s tougher after a few beers. Last party, Bones tried to bench press his bike.”
Before I can respond, the door to the storeroom swings open and Mercy strides out, a clipboard in one hand.
“You should go,” she says, pointing her pen at me. “All work and no play makes Kya a bad boss.”
“I can’t, the bar?—”
“I’ll cover your shift tonight.”
“Mercy, no.”
“You heard me.” She glances up, eyes narrowing just slightly. “You’ve been working nonstop since you took this place on. Take the damn night off. Go flirt with your man, eat too much food, have fun for once.”
“And if you’re really lucky, you’ll get to see Lee without his shirt.” Ginger gives a little shimmy that has her hair and breasts shaking. “Trust me, it’s worth the price of admission.”
Andi grins. Poppy lifts her Diet Coke like a toast.
Seeing that I’m outnumbered, I give in.
“Okay, fine. I’ll go.” I lean against the bar, glancing between them. “But there’s one problem.”
“And that is?” Poppy asks.
“What am I going to wear?”
Ginger’s eyes light up like Christmas morning. “Oh honey, now you’re speaking my language. How do you feel about leather?”
9
KYA
Istand in front of my bedroom mirror, second-guessing my outfit choice. Dark jeans hug my curves, a black fitted top shows just enough cleavage to be interesting without being obvious, and my favorite leather jacket.
Feels like it’s appropriate for a motorcycle club party… Maybe?
The drive to the clubhouse takes fifteen minutes, and with every mile, my nerves ratchet higher. What if I don’t fit in? What if they’re just being polite but don’t actually want me there?
The front door opens before I can talk myself out of it, and Andi, Poppy, and Ginger appear together, clearly having been watching for me.
“There she is!” Poppy calls out, practically bouncing down the steps. “I was starting to think you’d chickened out.”
“Almost did,” I admit, getting out of my car.
