I nearly spit out my drink as my lungs ceased. I slid my hand between my crossed legs and squeezed my thigh so hard I definitely left a mark. I felt Sierra’s eyeballs boring a hole into the side of my face. There was no way I could make eye contact.
“I guess I really shouldn’t complain. He’s been a total dickhead, but I’ve gotten to do a shitload of operating.”
I was waiting for my lungs to start working while Guy pounded a second margarita.
“Hey, excuse us, Guy.” Sierra stepped right in, not letting that conversation go on for a second longer. “I need to steal the girls for a little pregnancy girl talk, we’ll catch up with you in a bit.” Sierra gave him her sweetest smile.
My eyes spoke novels—thank you.
“Jack just went to the end of the bar, some type of sporting event is on.” She motioned to the very large flat screen hanging at the other end of the bar.
“Gotta hang with my dudes … check out the game. See ya in awhile.”
I slumped in my chair and picked up my margarita.
“What’s wrong with you, Asspuck, still nursing your first margarita?”
“Shut it, Sier—I’m fine.” Now my eyes turned devilish, screaming leave-me-alone.
“Anyway, chicas, I had an emergency visit with the OB today.”
I perked up. “And why is this the first time I am hearing of this? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re good, nothing serious.” She waved me off. “I didn’t want to interrupt you at work with my woes of pregnancy—I believe those were your exact words.”
I glared at her. Bitch.
“Because the last time you called me it was the ass crack of dawn, and you were complaining about a freaking hemorrhoid that Dodd found,” I responded defensively even though I knew she was teasing me. The girls erupted into laughter. Sierra was the loudest.
“That was fucking hilarious. Come on, Lil, you know it was.”
Leanne was laughing so hard a tear trickled down her cheek. Kate was clutching her sides. “Just wait, you bitches. You’ll have a baboon ass too.”
“Stop, Sierra, you’re killing us.” Kate giggled.
“If it wasn’t serious, what the hell had you in a panic?” I asked.
“I woke up out of a dead sleep last night with this crazy itchy skin. I seriously thought I was going to scratch a fucking hole in my stomach. My belly was covered in these red bumps. I freaked out and woke Dodd up. I made him Google it at three in the morning. I was clawing the shit out of my skin. I must have looked like a fucking cat rubbing my body against anything firm enough to hold my weight.”
I couldn’t help snickering. “So what the hell was it?”
“Something called PUPPS. I guess a puppy analogy would have been more appropriate.” We all shook our heads in sync and laughed. Sierra knew how to make even the worst situations funny. “Anyway, it’s some crazy ass skin condition in pregnancy that only 1% of the pregnant population gets. Of course I have to be the fucking 1%. Just my damn luck. I’ve been slathering this damn cream on it all day, and thank god it’s helping. Shit, just thinking about it makes me squirm. I’ll be right back I gotta re-lather.”
“She’s hilarious, Lil,” Kate said.
I nodded in agreement but was distracted by Guy’s fast approach.
“Doll,” he slurred. Oh shit, he was drunk. “Come on, let’s dance. You owe me.” He grabbed my hand, tugging me from my chair.
“Guy, you’re drunk.”
“What? So. I just wanna dance.”
We weaved our way through sticky bodies to the center of the dance floor. Guy wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close. My heart rate shot up in the oh crap sort of way. Damn, I should have made an excuse. The way his warm breath bathed my neck sent a shiver down my spine. This was dangerously close to going over the friendship line. And his dancing ability was not lost on me. He was good. Too good. His body rhythmically swayed and moved with the beat perfectly, coaxing me with him.
“You smell so good, Lil.” He nuzzled his face in my neck.
“Guy,” I warned, tightening my body and backing away slightly.
“Oh doll, just dance with me.” He languidly dragged his hands up my body, caught up in the moment. Or that was what I hoped. Catching me off guard, his lips brushed against mine. I blinked frantically and moved my face. Guy ignored my flinch, possessively sliding his hand around the base of my neck. His lips attacked mine in a deep, hungry kiss. I softened for just a moment enjoying his warmth, only to jerk back with my head spinning. Deprived of some much-needed air, I pushed against his chest trying to gain my space. What the hell?