Not even a shot at a meaningless one-night stand, which is all I’m looking for. Damn. Damn. Damn.
“It’s settled then. Jennifer, pour these men another drink!” Janine orders.
“You might regret this,” Blondie warns her as he takes a hefty gulp of his drink.
“I regret nothing,” she proclaims haughtily as she takes a suggestive sip of her champagne. Oh shit, she’s opening the floodgates already. She’s just gunning to tie one on. I guess I can’t blame her. It is her bachelorette party, after all. “I’m Janine Montgomery, soon to be Janine Witt, and this is my beautiful, single BFF Jennifer Reeves.” She puts her hand out to Blondie first. I silently steam behind the bar. Did she have to emphasize the word single?
“Shane Laughtner, and this is Chase Hammond.” He nods at his . . . friend?
“Pleasure,” Janine purrs as she shakes hands with them casually. “Make yourselves at home . . .” She looks over Shane’s shoulder, suddenly distracted. “Please excuse me. My fiancé just walked in.” She hurries off, but not without delivering a you can thank me later, biotch look behind Shane and Chase’s back. I just roll my eyes as I’m left with the two untouchable hotties.
Look but don’t touch totally sucks.
“Since you’re staying, if you want to order something to eat, it’ll have to be now. The kitchen is closing.” I hand them each a menu, then finish prepping the bar for Shayna, who apparently decided to show up fashionably late and not let anyone know. Luckily, I only have to refill the ice bin and cut some more limes.
“Hmmm.” Shane inspects the single-page menu thoughtfully. “See something you like?” I ask sweetly. What’s the harm in flirting a little?
“I see a lot of things I like,” he flirts back, peeking over the laminated edge.
I pause. Was that flirtatious? Or was it just an interest in the food?
“Lobster rolls, famous clam chowder fritters, corn dogs, lobster Reuben sandwich with Old Bay french fries, shrimp and crab nachos, chicken and waffle sliders, spinach and ricotta grilled cheese? This is a very eclectic menu.”
I shrug modestly. “It appeals to a variety of palettes.”
“That it does. It’s very surprising—”
“Considering the place looks like a dive?” I put him on the spot.
“That’s not what I meant . . . or wanted to imply,” Shane stammers. “It has a certain earthy charm.”
“Earthy charm, huh? Is that the politically correct term for shithole?” I toy with him, leaning over the bar top haughtily.
Shane squirms in his chair.
I wink playfully. “It’s okay. The owner knows the place is in desperate need of a facelift. He’s working on it.”
Chase laughs, the sound deep and smooth. Like black silk gliding over my skin. “I like her.”
Shane breaks out in a slow, sinful smile. “I do, too.” Their simple exchange makes my scalp tingle. I’m not sure why. There’s something about them I can’t quite put my finger on. But in the short amount of time I’ve spent in their presence, I’m becoming fond of them. They have an unusual energy. An alluring energy.
“So what will it be?” I ask.
“Surprise us.” Shane hands over his menu.
“You sure?” I accept the challenge.
“Yes. Let’s see what this place has to offer.”
I glance at Chase. He nods confidently. “We like surprises.” His statement sounds like a cryptic message.
“Who doesn’t?” I turn on my heel and saunter into the kitchen, feeling the burn of four blazing eyes on my backside.
I call out the order to Charli, our line chef, as I scoop two bowls of lobster bisque and grab a loaf of fresh bread with a side of whipped honey-poppy seed butter.
I serve Shane and Chase their first course. “I hope you like seafood.”
“Love it.” Shane inhales the warm, sweet scent of the bisque.
“I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve been told that soup is better than sex. Enjoy.” I bat my eyelashes coquettishly.
Both of their handsome faces light up. Chase sucks on his lower lip as if restraining a response. The gesture actually makes my inner thighs quiver. He flicks his dark eyes over at Shane enigmatically before tasting the soup. “Jesus, this is good.” Chase dives in for a bigger spoonful. I inwardly jump for joy.
“Glad you like it.” I smile brightly, not masking my abundant satisfaction.
I leave them to eat as I serve the wave of customers crowding the bar. It’s getting closer and closer to nine, and people are piling in for the party.
I swiftly pick up Shane and Chase’s second course after I clear their soup bowls. “Shrimp and crab nachos, fish and chips, chicken and waffle sliders, and our very famous clam chowder fritters.” I name each dish as I place it in front of them. “I thought you’d appreciate a variety.”
“We love variety,” Shane remarks as two twinkling hazel eyes stare back at me. Why do I get the impression they twist every word I say into something sexual?
“Good to know. Eat up.” I pertly tap the bar top.
“We plan on it,” Chase affirms, with the same sexual undertone.
I tilt my head, trying to decode his statement. I’m positive they’re together. I’ve watched all night as they touched and brushed and smiled at each other, clearly more than just friends. They’re discreet, but I’ve noticed their quiet gestures. What I can’t figure out is why they keep subtly coming on to me.
Maybe it’s a secret game they play? Or some twisted entertainment? Fuck with the straight girl? See who she picks?
“Jenn!” Jack slams his hand down on the bar energetically, snapping me out of my musings. “Shots! Shots, shots . . . shots, shots, shots!” he sings surrounded by six of his boys. I roll my eyes. I’ve known Jack as long as I’ve known Janine. I was there when they first hooked up, broke up, got back together, then broke up again. Oy, their relationship gave me whiplash for a while, but they eventually worked it out, and now, look at them. About to make it official. Walk the green mile together, and they couldn’t be happier. I’m still on the fence about a lifelong commitment, even if Jack and Janine make it look easy and, I reluctantly admit, appealing.
“Usual?” I line up six shot glasses.
“Of course,” Jack scoffs. “Nice hair by the way,” he tosses in.
“Thanks.” I grin as I fill each glass with tequila.
“New haircut?” Shane asks as he watches me pour.
“Yup,” Jack answers for me. “She’s had her hair down to her ass for as long as I can remember.” He passes the glasses around. I play with my layered bangs self-consciously, once again brushing them out of my eyes. “It was Janine’s idea.”
“I like it,” Shane compliments.
“Me too,” Chase adds.
“Me three.” Jack clinks glasses with the guys around him, before shooting the tequila. “Especially the pink.” He wipes his mouth on his sleeve.
“Really?” I ask surprised.
“Yeah.” He pushes the glass toward me, indicating a refill. “Janine told me to tell you that.” He chuckles.
“Of course, she did.” I pour him a second shot.
“I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t like it, no matter what Janine told me to do.” He tips his head back confidently and swallows the amber liquid in one gulp. “One more.” He slams the shot glass down.
“I know. You never say anything you don’t mean.”
“I keep it real, baby.” He winks. Jack reminds me of an overgrown frat boy. A laid back, care free preppy, sporting a plaid shirt and backward baseball cap. I can’t do anything but laugh and fill his glass once again. Jack is as real as they come. What you see is what you get, which is refreshing. I know too many selfish, self-serving, unreliable people. Hell, I was raised by two of the most selfish, self-serving, unreliable people on the planet.
“You’d better slow down, or they’re going to be carrying you outta here.” I watch him bank another ounce and a half of tequila straight.
“It’s a party! That’s what’s supposed to happen!” He flashes a no-holds-barred smile.
“If you say so.” I swipe the shot glass away.
“I do. Get my two new friends here a drink on me.” He nods his head at Shane and Chase, who have been quietly listening to our exchange. “Janine said she invited them to stay.” There’s a gleam in Jack’s eyes. I know right then and there my sneaky BFF is up to no good. She’s stooped so low as to recruit her fiancé to meddle in my romantic affairs. “So let’s show them a good time, huh?” He winks again, conspiratorially this time.
“We never say no to a good time,” Chase immediately offers.
“That’s what I like to hear, brother.” Jack slaps Chase on the back. “No one will show you a better time than this chick right here.” Jack thumbs at me suggestively.
What the fuck! Shut up! I want to crawl under the bar and die. He’s making me sound like a floozy.
“She’s been taking pretty good care of us so far,” Shane discloses, a hint of sexual innuendo in his tone.