Page 62 of Theirs to Treasure

But as the night wore on, it became clear that something was bothering Kara, and Lola had had enough.

“I’ll tell you why I’m asking that question. You’ve been a moody bitch for two months, and you’ve probably gained fifteen pounds. So, are you pregnant?”

“Jesus, Lola, how could you even ask me that? Do you think I’d be drinking if I was pregnant?” Josie saw how hurt and offended Kara was, and immediately stepped in to try to smooth things over.

“Oh, sweetie, she doesn’t mean it. I think that’s Lola’s blockheaded way of asking what’s wrong.” Josie scooted her chair closer to Kara, put her arm around her, and glared at the smaller blonde who now looked ashamed.

Lola reached over and grabbed Kara’s hand. “I’m sorry, Kara. I don’t know why I said that. It’s probably just sour grapes,” she admitted. Josie and Kara both stared at her and waited. “The guys and I have been trying to get pregnant for the last five months, and it hasn’t happened for us, and…” Lola’s voice trailed off. Both Kara and Josie looked over at Lola and immediately scooted their chairs around the table, so that they could surround her in hugs. Lola waved them away. “Stop. That wasn’t the reason for tonight’s gathering. We’re here to dish the dirt on Josie’s perverted love life.” Lola gave a devilish giggle.

Josie looked between the faces of her two friends and realized that both of them were in pain. She might not know what was going on with Kara, but there was something. The least she could do would be to tell them what was going on between her, Sam, and Chance. What’s more, she desperately needed to confide in someone—she needed advice.

“Are you sure you want to talk about me?” Josie asked tentatively.

“Yes,” they both said simultaneously. They exchanged surprised glances and laughed.

“Well, okay then, because Chance and Sam are driving me absolutely crazy!”

“Of course, they are, they’re men,” Lola exclaimed. “Let me guess, Chance is driving you crazy, and you want to kick Sam’s ass.”

Josie’s eyes widened at Lola’s accuracy. “How’d you know?”

“I’ve known those two for a couple of years now, and Chance reminds me a lot of Jace. They both could sell ice to Eskimos.”

“Native Americans.”

“Huh?” Josie queried.

“Eskimo is the same as using the term Indians instead of Native Americans.”

“Thanks,” Josie said. She got that. Boy did she get that.

“She’s got it bad, ask her what tribe her men are from.” Kara prompted.

“Shut up, Lola.” Kara glared at the other blonde.

“What are you talking about?” Josie asked Lola. Obviously, the margaritas had gone to her head, because keeping up with the conversation was giving her whiplash.

“Kara is in lust or love or deep like with two hot Native Americans from Alaska. Their names are Ben and Quinn Shotbrook. I thought they were moving down here?” Lola questioned Kara.

“Look, I really can’t talk about it okay? Suffice it to say, a woman can only be told she’s not wanted so many times before she knows it’s true.”

“Kara, is that the reason for the serial dating? You’ve been on more dates than one of those dating shows.”

“Lola, I’m begging you, please just drop it.” Kara motioned the waitress for another round of margaritas. “You were telling Josie how Jace and Chance were alike.”

“Oh, yeah. Chance and Jace are both sneaky and are always trying to get us to do what they want. Therefore, they drive us crazy. And since I always want to kick Dale’s ass, it only stands to reason that you want to kick Sam’s ass.”

Josie smiled. “Well, that’s definitely true about Chance. He bought me a whole wardrobe, just so I would stay at their house.”

“Really?” Kara said in awe, her new margarita forgotten. “Did he get the sizes correct?”

“He got everything correct. I love it all. He even had a part of the house renovated so that there’s this big master suite for the three of us.” Josie plopped her head on the table and bounced it three times. The other girls laughed. When she looked back at them, she laughed as well.

“How do you say no to something like that?” Josie asked, clearly bewildered.

“It’s easy if you don’t love them,” Lola said.

“How can I not love Sam and Chance? They’re Sam and Chance. They are the best men I’ve ever met, and they make me feel so special, like I matter…” Josie trailed off.