“What are you drinkin’, Jess,” Shari asked, slipping behind the bar. “We got all the liquor you could ever want, and if I don’t know how to make a drink, your girl, Carly here does.”
“I’m not sure.” I glanced at Carly for help. “I’m not much of a drinker, and I’m trying to watch my carb intake.” I’d been half-assing the Keto diet for a while, trying to drop the twenty pounds I picked up during college and never lost. I probably needed to fully commit and drop carbs all together, but that was difficult to do while watching Trent or staying at the fire station. Or while living in a world where bread existed.
Shari looked me over. “Why? You’re gorgeous just as you are.”
Compliments made me almost as uncomfortable as small talk. Heat flooded my cheeks. “I… I’d like to get rid of my belly.”
“Wouldn’t we all?” Carly asked.
“Haven’t you heard? Neither carbs nor calories count during girls’ night,” Julia informed me. “It’s in the rule book.”
“Hear, hear.” Emily raised her glass. “I know nothing of this rule book of which you speak, but I like it.”
“Most liquor doesn’t have carbs,” Shari said. “Just stay away from the sugary mixers and you’ll be fine. I can drop a shot in a diet coke, pour you something over ice, or make it neat.”
“Neat?” It was like she was speaking a different language. “I don’t even know what that means.”
“It means you can’t spill it,” Jayson said. “Ever. As long as every drop goes down your throat, there are no carbs or calories.” His expression turned thoughtful. “No, wait. I’m thinking of something else.” A mischievous grin spread across his face, betraying the sexual nature of his comment.
All the ladies laughed. Shari high-fived him. Emily rolled her eyes and told him he was ridiculous.
“A neat drink is straight liquor with nothing in it. Not even ice,” Shari clarified.
That sounded dangerous. “Maybe a diet coke with a little bit of rum?”
“You got it.” She poured my drink and handed it over.
I took a sip. I could taste the alcohol, but it wasn’t bad. Thanking her for taking it easy on me, I raised my glass as Emily suggested a toast.
“To new friends.”
“To new friends,” we all repeated.
“So, Jessica,” Jayson said, leaning closer to me as he set his drink down. “Let’s get down to business. After what happened earlier this week, we’ve all decided you could use a distraction. I have graciously agreed to share one of my sexy, tatted bikers with you for a limited time. Tell me which one has caught your eye and I will make it happen.” He gestured at the men who were still mulling about the common area.
Shocked, I stared at him.
“Sorry,” Emily said. “Jay can come off a little strong, but he means well.” Facing Jayson, she added, “And you can’t gift one of the guys to her. Everything about that is wrong.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t gift her a man. That’s absurd. Our agreement would be temporary. She’d be borrowing him.”
Emily cocked her head to the side. “Which sounds dangerously like prostitution. You’re not their pimp, Jay.”
“I know.” He frowned. “Pimps get paid. All I get is tempting eye candy and unfulfilled erotic fantasies. But I digress. This isn’t about me. Our girl needs some sexual healing, and I’m not going to let your archaic views on propriety and other bullshit nobody cares about cock block her.” Making a face at Emily, which earned him a laugh, he turned back to me. “Jess, which hunka hunka burnin’ love are you feelin’?”
“None,” I replied a little too quickly.
All gazes landed on me, making it clear I’d messed up in a big way.
“Uh-huh,” Julia said, eyeballing me. “You’re a horrible liar. You should never attempt that again.”
Carly elbowed me in the side. “Who is it? We could probably set you up.”
“As long as it’s not the one I’ve currently got my sights set on,” Jayson said. “I’m gracious enough to share, but I’m no saint.”
“And which one would that be?” Emily asked. “You’re afterallthe guys.”
Jayson laughed. “Fair enough.” To me, he added, “It’s the beards and the tats and the muscles. How can I resist all that deliciousness?”
