Page 1 of The Little Black Book

Chapter1

There’s an App for That

Zoey

“And when she threw the salt over her shoulder, she had no idea there was a kid walking by behind her. He happened to look up at the exact right moment, and the salt hit him right in the eyeball.”

The table erupts into laughter as Ava wraps up the story. Even Sophie, the subject of the tale, chuckles even though I know she was mortified the night it happened.

Ava, Sophie, and I had been atAstrid’shaving dinner a few nights ago for our weekly girls’ night out. Sophie knocked over the salt shaker and, being the superstitious woman she is, grabbed a pinch of the spilled mineral and tossed it over her shoulder for good luck. Only…it backfired.

Tonight, we’re at the restaurant atThe Black Hart Casinowith Sophie’s boyfriend, Jared, and his best friend, Sam. Jared Hart owns the casino, and the rest of us never pass up the opportunity to eat here. The food is delicious, and Jared always foots the bill.

“Did that really happen?”

I glance over at Sam Simmons, who’s sitting on my right and has leaned in to whisper the question in my ear. Ever since Sophie and Jared got together, the five of us have spent many nights like this. Sometimes we go out to eat, like tonight, but most of the time we hang out at Sophie and Jared’s place. They have what Sophie lovingly refers to as a McMansion––a huge house with a theater room, a giant kitchen, and a large oasis in the back yard where we can hang out, barbecue, and swim.

“Yes,” I whisper back, grinning at him. “Poor kid started screaming and yelling, ‘I’m blind! I’m blind!’”

He throws back his head and laughs at my impression, and I laugh with him.

Sam and I have gotten really close over the last few months. He’s always a good time, and underneath that fun-loving exterior lies a kind and generous heart. He puts on this tough, no-nonsense pit boss persona when he’s working atThe Black Hart,but to those who really know him, he’s the epitome of a cinnamon roll.

“Boo! No PDA!”

Ava’s exclamation pulls my attention away from Sam, and I look over just in time to see a balled-up napkin hit Sophie in the head. She pulls her lips away from Jared’s and flips Ava a middle finger before deliberately kissing her man again.

“I wish I had that.”

Sam’s softly spoken words startle me, and I glance over at him with incredulity. Women are hitting on him constantly, and he always seems to enjoy it. I find it hard to believe he’s ever lonely or longing for something more serious.

“It’s true,” he says, reading the skepticism in my expression.

“But…you have women falling all over you constantly.”

He rolls his eyes. “Drunk women hitting on me at the casino is not the same thing as finding what Jared and Sophie have.”

“True,” I say, arching a brow, “but I’ve seen plenty of sober women eyeing you outside of the casino, too.”

“Just because they like the way I look doesn’t mean they’ll likeme.”

“Of course, they will,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “What’s not to like?”

He smiles, and I return it. I’m not blowing smoke up his ass. Sam is a really good guy and would be a prize for any woman lucky enough to catch his eye.

“You’re sweet,” he says nudging my shoulder with his.

“I really am,” I say, smirking, then let the expression drop. “It seems like you date a lot. Has nothing sparked with any of the women you’ve gone out with?”

“I haven’t datedthatmuch,” he says narrowing his eyes.

“Okay,” I say with a sarcastic laugh.

“Seriously,” he says, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Look.”

He taps the screen a few times before turning it my way. My eyes widen as I read the title at the top.

“His Little Black Book?” I say, snatching the device from his hand and holding it up in front of me. “Are you serious?”

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