Rush(22)

A light shiver worked over her skin as she rode the elevator up to her apartment. She checked her watch, hoping Caroline wouldn’t be home. Mia needed some time to think. She needed quiet, a moment to soak in all that had occurred today. And ponder just how much her life was going to change.

It excited her and scared her to death in equal parts.

When she let herself into her apartment, her chest squeezed with dismay to see not only Caroline but three of their other friends, Chessy, Trish and Gina, slouched in the living room. They bolted upright when they saw Mia, and there was a chorus of congratulations and whistles.

Mia stared at them in bewilderment. Caroline rose with a smile and walked over to Mia to put an arm around her shoulders.

“I filled them in on your new ‘job opportunity’ with the sex god that is Gabe Hamilton.”

“For God’s sake, Caro,” Mia muttered.

And then she was surrounded by her girlfriends, and it was impossible to maintain any sort of irritation in their presence. They pelted her with questions, and it was so tempting for Mia to confide in them. To tell them just what she’d agreed to. But she wouldn’t risk it. Not even with her best friends.

“So is the man stacked? You know, does he have a big peen or what?” Chessy drawled.

“Do you think he pulled it out during the job interview?” Mia asked incredulously.

The others dissolved into laughter, and a round of crude jokes went up as they all speculated on Gabe whipping out his dick.

“I bet he knows what to do with it,” Trish said wistfully. “Unlike my last boyfriend. Maybe Gabe could give him some pointers.”

Gina snorted. “For all we know Gabe sucks in the sack. Or maybe he’s even gay. You know all the gorgeous to-die-for guys are always the ones who are unavailable. Though given a chance, I’d definitely see if I could turn him.”

Mia groaned. “He’s not gay.”

“And you know this how?” Chessy asked with a raised brow.

“He’s Jace’s best friend,” Mia said in exasperation. “I’ve practically grown up around him. He was married and he’s had no shortage of women in his life.”

Gina shrugged. “Maybe he just hasn’t found the right man yet.”

“I could be his right woman,” Trish volunteered. “And I’d damn sure sign up to be his personal assistant. You’re such a lucky bitch, Mia.”

“I’d be happy to take on Jace,” Chessy said. “I’d work overtime for that man.”

Mia covered her ears and groaned even louder. “Stop. You’re scarring me. I don’t want images of you and Jace. He’s my brother! That’s gross, Chessy. Just gross!”

“I think we should go out and celebrate,” Caroline announced.

Mia shot her a startled glance. Chessy and the others wore interested looks as they waited for more.

“We should go clubbing,” Caroline said. “If Mia’s going to be tied to a nine-to-five job, her late nights with us are over. At least during the week. I know the bouncer at Vibe, and he’s promised me he’d get me and my girls in if I come by.”

“Damn, I have to be to work early,” Trish said, her lips turned downward in a frown.

“Oh, live a little,” Chessy urged. “It’s not like you can’t do your job in your sleep. Besides, you can catch up on your rest after work tomorrow. Tonight we’ll go have some fun. It’s been way too long since we got to hang together.”

Trish looked indecisive, and then she finally nodded. “Okay, I’m in.”

“Mia?” Caroline asked.

All eyes turned to Mia, looking at her in anticipation. The truth was, Mia wanted to sequester herself and have time alone to process the day. Gabe. Everything. But she loved her friends, and in her gut she knew her time would likely be limited with them from now on, at least until it was over between her and Gabe.

“I’m in,” Mia said with a smile. “I need to go change, though. I have office clothes on. If we’re going out, I don’t want to look like a secretary.”

“Rock on,” Chessy crowed.

“Wait a minute. I’m not dressed for the club either!” Trish exclaimed. “I need to run home if we’re doing this.”

“Yeah, me too,” Gina agreed.

Caroline held her hands up. “Okay, here’s the deal. We do a hurry-up on the prep and we meet outside the club in an hour and a half. Deal?”

The others were already scrambling off the couch and heading for Mia’s front door. They waved and called back good-byes, and then they were gone.

Mia started to get up to go into her bedroom to change when Caroline stopped her.