“I think they each made fifty bucks that night,” Mia says with a laugh. “And they didn’t even have to take any of their clothes off.”
“It was hilarious.” Cami leans her forehead on Landon’s shoulder, laughing so hard she’s shaking. “Of course, Addie offered to strip, but she never was shy about taking her clothes off.”
“I wish we could all be that confident,” Mia replies.
“You should all be that confident,” Chase says. “Each of you is gorgeous.”
“I like him,” Mia says to me. “You can bring him around more often.”
Just then, a tall man in his early thirties approaches Mia and leans in to talk to her. She smiles and nods, and he leads her to the dance floor.
“Well, hello, hot guy for Mia,” Cami says happily. “He’s cute.”
“Yes, you mentioned that,” Landon says, rolling his eyes. “And he better watch where he puts his hands on my sister or I’ll kick his ass.”
“She’s almost thirty, babe,” Cami says, patting his shoulder. “She’s got this.”
“So what did you get Kat for her birthday?” Chase asks.
“I haven’t yet,” I admit with a cringe.
“Her birthday is tomorrow,” Cami reminds me.
“I know.” I sip my beer and watch my girl shaking her ass on the dance floor. “Don’t worry, I’ll get her something great.”
“He’s pretty good at giving gifts,” Chase says.
“It doesn’t have to be crazy; she’d be happy with just about anything because it came from you,” Cami replies. “She’s not high maintenance.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I reply with a nod, and order fresh drinks for Riley and Kat when the waitress approaches.
“Do you see that?” Cami asks, pointing toward the dance floor.
“What?” Landon asks.
“Those women,” she replies. “Standing off to the side, watching Mia and that guy dance.”
“I see them,” I say. “The ones who need to put more clothes on?”
Cami snorts. “I thought men liked it when women showed their goods.”
“There’s a line between being provocative and looking like a hooker,” Chase replies, shaking his head. “Those girls have crossed that line.”
“Well, they don’t look happy that Mia’s dancing with that guy,” Cami says.
“It’s not like she’s marrying him,” Landon replies, watching them closely. “But I’ll keep an eye on them.”
I glance down in time to see Riley and Kat hug, then make their way back to the table. They’re full of smiles and out of breath when they reach us.
“Oh yay, you got us more drinks. I’m thirsty,” Riley says.
“I should have got you some water too,” I reply. “It’ll help with the hangover tomorrow.”
“I don’t really get hungover,” Riley says with a shrug. “And I know it looks like I drink a lot, after my classy swig from the bottle at the baby shower last weekend, and now this, but I really don’t. It’s just been one hell of a week.”
“She drinks the least of all of us,” Cami says with a nod. “So you’re not turning into an alcoholic on us?”
“Nah, I’m just burning off some steam,” Riley says, and smiles as Chase retrieves her handbag, which fell to the floor, and hooks it back on her chair. “Thanks, handsome.”
“You’re welcome.”
They smile at each other, and the electricity shooting between them is visible, practically lighting up the whole table.
“I think your brother is going to hit on Riley,” Kat says, not nearly as quietly as she thinks. “Look at the googly eyes.”
“I don’t have googly eyes,” Chase says with a laugh. “But yes, I might hit on Riley.”
“I’m not someone you want to hit on,” Riley replies. “Really, I’m not having a lot of luck in the opposite-sex department lately.”
“Maybe your luck will change,” Chase says.
“Probably not.” Riley frowns and crumples a napkin in her fingers. “I would stay away if I were you.”
“You’re not me,” Chase says, and shrugs. “But we’ll see how the night goes.”
“I want to talk to you,” one of the scantily clad girls from the dance floor says to Mia. She’s flanked by two of her friends.
“Where did you come from?” Kat asks, but they’re not listening to her.
“What can I do for you?” Mia asks.
“You can keep your fat ass away from Carter.”
“What did you just say?” Kat demands, and immediately stands, confronting slut number one.
“I told her to keep her fat ass away from Carter,” she repeats, her hands on her hips, looking down at Kat, who’s much shorter than her.
“You cannot be serious. Who in the hell says something like that?” Kat asks, as if she just can’t believe what she’s hearing.
“Are you learning impaired?” the bitch sputters. “I’m not repeating myself again. Tell your fat friend to stay away from him. He’s not interested in her anyway.”
“I’m going to recommend that you shut your ugly mouth and get the fuck away from here,” Kat replies calmly, her arms folded over her chest.