Chapter One
“Fuck you,” Jacey said with a snort.
“I’m just saying that you seriously owe me for the night I spent with Jonas,” Bronte replied. “I mean, it was all for your benefit and I was miserable.”
“Which is the only reason you are still alive and invited to GNO,” Mischa added with a wicked grin.
“Definitely,” Dee giggled.
“Seriously,” Bronte said. “I’m really happy that things have worked out so well for the two of you, Jacey. He’s all smiles at work now instead of mopey like he used to be.”
“He used to be mopey?” Jacey asked with a grin. “That’s so sweet.”
They all laughed.
“Speaking of sweet,” Dee changed topics. “When do you and Clint leave for your anniversary trip?”
Mischa grinned and gave a long sigh. “We leave tomorrow and will be gone for the entire week. I hope I’ve packed enough to keep us busy.”
They all laughed.
“’Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Three bags full,’” Dee quoted from an old nursery rhyme and they all laughed again.
“Another round, girls?” Augie, their favorite waitress at the bar, asked as she stopped at the table. She’d been waiting on them since they’d hit twenty-one and moved girls’ night out to the bar.
“Absolutely,” Bronte said. “This one’s on me.”
“Says the one who switched to water over an hour ago,” Jacey snickered.
“Some of us don’t have a man to pick our drunken ass up at the bar and take us home.” Bronte shook her head and grinned.
“We’ll have to work on that,” Dee said with a smile.
“I know that devious look,” Jacey sighed. “You’re up to something.”
“I might have a plan or two, or three,” Dee laughed.
“Oh this will be good,” Mischa grinned.
“I’m feeling very nervous all the sudden,” Bronte admitted, reaching for her water. She stopped and sighed. “And suddenly wishing I was back on the hard stuff.”
They all snickered as Augie stopped long enough to place fresh glasses in front of them before moving on to the next table.
“So three bags full, huh?” Bronte asked.
“Yeah,” Mischa grinned. “That sexy man of mine won’t know what hit him.”
“You know, I have to admit that I was surprised the first time I met you,” Bronte said. “After working with Clint and Jonas I guess I kind of had an image of what you would look like.”
Mischa snorted. “Let me guess. You saw me as a petite woman. Blonde maybe or light brunette with the expected golden tan. A beach-bunny honey through and through.” They all burst into loud laughter.
“Well you have to admit that with his surfer-boy looks it just seems to fit,” Jacey snorted.
“How was it that Mischa used to describe him?” Dee looked thoughtful then tried to mimic Mischa’s voice. “Clint is so sexy. I love all that shaggy blond hair and his green eyes. I could eat that man with a spoon.”
Jacey hooted. “Apparently, she didn’t need the spoon.”
“You’re all just jealous that my man is so damn fine,” Mischa said. “And after this week away with me, he’ll come back telling your men how he is the luckiest man in the world.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” Bronte said when the snickers finally quieted down again. “I guess I just didn’t expect you to be the same height as him. Actually, in heels you must be taller.”
“I am.” Mischa smiled. “But my man is completely confident. Things like that don’t bother him.”
“I can see that,” Bronte said. “After meeting you, I couldn’t imagine him with anyone else.”
“They are a perfect match,” Dee agreed. “And trust me, we didn’t think we’d ever meet anyone who could put up with Mischa.”
“Hey,” Mischa said but she laughed with the rest of them.
“You really do look perfect together,” Bronte said. “You complement each other.”
“Yes, we do,” Mischa agreed and lifted her glass for a toast.
“Not like that,” Bronte snorted.
“Oh my god,” Dee squealed. “I think she just snorted.”
“That was definitely a snort,” Mischa said.
“You are officially welcomed as a true member of the girls’ night out club,” Jacey said.
Bronte shook her head. “You guys are so funny. I’m really happy I met you.”
Bronte snorted again and set them off into peals of laughter. “Oh my god, my sides hurt so badly. I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard in my entire life.”