“Here you go, girls. One heaping plate of everything-but-the-kitchen-sink nachos.” I pluck some extra napkins out of my apron and flop them down on the table. “If you need anything else, just give me a holler.”
Ava leans in and twitches her nose. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything. Shoot.”
Ava is adorable with her loose waves and bright personality. I don’t think there’s a human on Earth who wouldn’t be warmed by that megawatt smile. Lucky, on the other hand, is a dark beauty with a mean look that can slit your throat all on its own, but she’s the kindest soul to ever walk the planet. The two of them really do remind me a heck of a lot of Sunday and me.
“What was it like?” she whispers so low it forces me to lean in. What was what like? The club? That fabulous kiss I shared with Shep? Rooming with Harley, which is sort of an ongoing thing? “You know, when you found the body.”
Oh, that. I return to an upright, uptight position. Crap. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to be pegged in a hole by an entire group of people—let alone the school. Would I be theitgirl? Thepartygirl? The sororityslut? Although to mitigate those last two hurdles, I would’ve had to have actually joined a sorority and crested more than first base with a boy. But now it’s all coming in clear as those crystal chandeliers gracing the ceiling over at that dicey club I was roped into andin. From this summer on, I’ll forever be known as the girl who found the body.
“It was… I don’t know,strange.”
Lucky nods. “Were you terrified?”
“Not really. I mean, thank God I wasn’t alone. My friend Shep was with me.” Myfriend? Fine. I’ll let it slide just this once. “Anyway, once Shep rolled him over and we saw that he was riddled with bullets, I sort of went numb.”
Ava slaps her hand over the table. “You were in shock!”
Lucky bites down mischievously over her bottom lip. “Good thing you had that strong, dark, and handsome, might I mention, newly available powerhouse attorney there to protect you.”
A dark laugh rumbles from my throat. “I don’t need a man to protect me. I certainly don’t need Shep.”
Ava’s mouth goes slack. “So, you’re not a couple? People say that suffering through traumatic experiences like that with someone really brings you closer.”
I can’t help but avert my eyes at the thought. “We’re definitely not a couple. In fact, it did the polar opposite. It seems all Shep and I have done since D-day—D as indead body, is nothing but argue.” It’s true. But now that I think about it, Shep and I have never really spoken much before this. I haven’t exactly been a saint to him ever since the night of my fourteenth birthday, but I bet Shep is too big of a buffoon to even realize that I’m still pissed or why. Shep can be an idiot that way.
Lucky moans as if my words had mortally wounded her, and she should really watch it because, apparently, my presence has been known to be lethal.
“I was sort of hoping something would come out of this for the two of you.” Lucky shrugs apologetically. “I mean, the guy is totally hot.”
Ava gives an eager nod as she picks up a chip off the platter. “He’s smokin’. But if you’re not into him, you’re not into him.”
Lucky picks up her own gob of chips dripping with the runny goo they pour over that dish by the gallon. “Some girl is going to be mighty thankful that you’re not. I predict he’ll be snatched up by fall.”
“By the Fourth,” Ava corrects as she crunches down on that first bite.
A familiar looking powerhouse attorney catches my eye at the door, chatting it up with one of the new hires, a petite blonde named Hunter, and my blood begins to boil. It looks as if her blonde ambition is on the hunt after all.
“Yeah, well, you girls enjoy your meal.” I take off and snatch Shep by the arm. “Your table is calling,” I toss the words over my shoulder to the stunned waitress who looks as if I just kicked her in the teeth. “And I need a word with you.”
I shoot a look to Cole, the bartender, and hold up a finger. It’s the Black Bear’s shorthand forI’m taking my break, and he nods in approval.
I land Shep in a booth and take a seat across from him. Our eyes hook to one another, and we spend an inordinate amount of time filling the gap between us with silence.
“How’s the app?” He doesn’t bother with a smile. In fact, he looks downright disturbed, and I’m not quite sure why.
“Eli is looking into it. He says it will most likely take longer than the summer. I’ll need a lawyer.”
That obnoxious grin glides easy over his face, and suddenly I’m back to being furious with him. Lucky was right. Shep is handsome, and not in some adorable frat boy way, but in a razor’s edge, sexy as hell, five o’clock shadow, owning that Italian suit, he’s got gray matter for days kind of a way. And right now, all of those titillating facts make me a little angrier than I was to begin with.
Shep flexes that obnoxious smile. “Then I’m your man.”
“You are most certainly not my man. And would you wipe that cat who swallowed the canary look off your face? It’s really starting to annoy me.”
“Fine.” He scowls in my honor. “How’s the drink?” He ticks his head to the bar.
“I don’t know. I haven’t exactly had time to rob a liquor store, but if you’re up for committing a felony or two, then meet me at George’s Liquor Store at about eleven.”
