Page 28 of Stunner (Whiskey Dolls 3)

“It did,” Alma piped up. “I heard it when you did it.”

My eyes bugged out before narrowing into my most killing look. “You did not, you big fat liar!”

She grinned unrepentantly. “Did too. And it sounded to me like you’re totally hot for the veterinarian.”

“I am—” I started to protest, then realized it was pointless. “It’s messed up,” I finally admitted to the room as a whole. The Whiskey Dolls weren’t just my closest friends. I might have grown up as an only child, but these women were my sisters in every way that mattered. “I mean, I was engaged to his best friend. I have no business crushing on him.”

Alma blew out an exaggerated raspberry. “Please, honey. Who cares? Are you into him?”

I wrung my hands together in front of me, feeling heat creep up my neck. Thank God for heavy stage makeup, or I’d be glowing like the neon sign above a liquor store. “I—yes. I am.”

Charlotte let out an excited squeal. “And do you think he’s into you?”

I began to chew on the corner of my bottom lip, making a mess out of the lipstick I’d just applied as I thought back to that night and the way he’d touched me, how he’d caressed my jaw, and the finger he’d dragged down my sternum. There was heat between us then, something so tangible it nearly singed me. I could have sworn there was almost a kiss, whether it was my doing or his, my mind too fuzzy from his closeness to recall, but there wasn’t, anddamn it, I’d wanted it. Still did.

“I’m pretty sure, yeah,” I finally answered.

“Then I say stop playing coy,” Alma declared. “Next time you see him, march right up to him, grab him by the face, and kiss the ever-loving shit out of him.”

“Or,” Delanie stressed in that sweet, melodic voice of hers, “if you wanted to be subtler about it, you could always invite him to the anniversary party Mac and Bruce are having here next week.”

“That’s a great idea,” Sloane said excitedly. “I totally forgot all about that. You put down to bring a plus-one, right? Before the whole wedding disaster with Jackson?”

I gave her a flat look. “Thank you so much for bringing that upevery chance you get.”

“Don’t mention it.” She waved me off like the smartass she was. “Anyway, there’s your shot. The party is right around the corner and the extra plate’s already been paid for. Would he mind going with you so their money doesn’t go to waste?”

I looked around at all my friends, feeling a small niggling of hope in my belly. “And if he says no?”

“Then screw him,” Marin insisted. “There are other hot, broody, tattooed fish in the sea, and he’s the one missing out.”

I took a fortifying breath, steeling my spine and squaring my shoulders. “Okay. Tomorrow when I pick up Triumph, I’ll do it. I’ll ask him out.”

“Ah, that’s my girl.” Sloane grabbed hold of my arm and yanked me into a dramatic hug. “She’s growing up, guys,” she said on a fake sniffle. “I’m so proud.”

I pushed her away with a laugh, swatting her with a smack on the butt just as the door to the dressing room opened and McKenna poked her head inside to give us the two-minute warning before we had to go on stage. I hustled back to my mirror to fix my lipstick, feeling a sense of excitement, my skin vibrating at the thought of what was to come the following day.

“That was a hell of a show you put on,” Daniel said as he pushed the back door open and held it for me to step through to the parking lot. It was just one of the many ways McKenna and Bruce went out of their way to keep us safe.

Before the club had been christened Whiskey Dolls, it had been a strip club called Pink Palace. McKenna had been a dancer there while Bruce was one of only a few bouncers on staff. Apparently, back then, the place had been owned by a pretty bad dude, and McKenna and one of her friends ended up in the crosshairs. Fortunately, they made it out unharmed and the bad guy was put away, but when they decided to buy the club and give it a whole new life, they were determined to make sure nothing like that ever happened to us. There were bouncers hired to work the crowds as well as security guards whose main job was to keep an eye on the performers. They had cameras and a state-of-the-art alarm system. To top that off, we were walked to our cars after closing every night.

“Thanks,” I said with a smile before a yawn interrupted. It was late, and I was beat, but it was the good kind of tired that came from physical activity and the adrenaline high I always felt every time I performed. “But it wasn’t just me. It was all of us. We’re a unit.”

“For sure. But you lit that stage up, sugar.” He tipped his head down toward me with a wink that had me rolling my eyes good-naturedly.

“Flirt.”

“Damn straight. And one of these days, you’re going to succumb to my charms.”

I let out a laugh just as we reached my car. Digging into my purse, I pulled out my keys before looking back up at him. “Yeah, well, until then, you should entertain yourself with the women I see vying for your attention night after night.”

He hit me with that flirty grin and placed a hand to his chest. “Ah, but you know I’ve only got eyes for you,” he teased.

“Sure you do,” I deadpanned. “But I see the way they are when they come in. I’m starting to think half the females that frequent this club are here for you guys more than us.”

I hit the button to unlock my car and pulled the door open. Just as I climbed inside, Daniel leaned forward, bracing one solid forearm on the open doorframe. “You jealous, Asher?”

“Oh, I’m green with envy,” I declared dramatically, making him laugh. “Goodnight, Daniel.”

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