AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Good friends. My, what a tangled web this was becoming. But again, small towns. Came with the territory.
“Oohhh.” Gian laughed. “Did you see the daggers she just gave you?”
I did indeed. Finally, she’d looked over. I didn’t turn away or try to hide the fact that I’d been staring. Instead, I lifted my glass in a mock toast.
“You’re playing with fire, my man.”
“Yeah?” I was only half listening to Gian as I watched the women enjoy themselves. Specifically, one particular woman.
“Natalie is one of the nicest people on the planet. Wouldn’t hurt a fly. But she’s passionate as hell about the environment and loves that inlet. A bunch of terrorists have nothing on that crew,” he said, nodding to the women, “when they’re united for a cause. Not sure your superior Ranger training covered this particular brand of offensive.”
She looked again.
“It didn’t,” I admitted, realizing that this could actually be a lot of fun. “But I’m up for the challenge.”
FIVE
natalie
“I cannot. Believe. He’s a friend. Of Gian’s.”
I was usually kick-ass atTVDtrivia, but tonight? Not so much. We were playing as a team, and even Mazzie and Zoe couldn’t carry me. Every time I peered over, Jax was looking back. He didn’t even pretend otherwise.
“Yeah, well, Gian has some colorful friends, as you can imagine,” Mazzie said after we lost another round.
“I bet.” Zoe jumped off her stool. “Another round, on me?”
Mazzie, as usual, seemed torn. On one hand, she lovedThe Vampire Diariestrivia night. On the other, she had her own bar to run just a few blocks away. Usually she dipped into KC’s Taphouse for a round or two and then bolted.
“Come on,” I prodded, needing the moral support. “Everything’s under control down there. Boots & Brews runs like a well-oiled machine.”
“Ahh, fine. I wanted to talk to you guys about the wedding anyway.”
Gian and Mazzie were getting married in a few weeks, and everyone, including me, was so flipping excited. What was not to love about a destination wedding in Sicily? I’d never been before and could dearly use the vacation.
“Talk to me,” I said, trying not to glance over at the bar.
Too late.
For a change, he wasn’t looking. I took the opportunity to peruse just a bit.
“You talk to me,” Mazzie countered. “For someone claiming to hate the man, you’re looking at him like he’s a plate of pulled pork nachos.”
I did love pulled pork nachos.
“I mean, have you seen him?” I asked as Zoe rejoined us. “Dear lord in heaven.”
“If you’re talking about Jax,” Zoe said, sitting down, “I have some scoop.”
“Dish away,” Mazzie said, taking a sip of beer.
“He’s actually an ex-Army Ranger. He and Gian were talking about it when I got the drinks.”
An ex-Army Ranger. Made sense.
“What exactly does that mean?” I asked, despite myself. Zoe was a military brat, and ended up dating a former Army sniper, so I figured if anyone knew more, it would be her.
“Think of the Rangers as the Army version of Navy SEALs.”
