“So, how’d you meet Jana?”
“We met at a support group for trauma victims. The group sucked and we gave it up, but the friendship stuck.”
“She’s great for Max. I think I might like having a sister. I wanted one for a while just so I could have someone to boss around. Didn’t happen, though.”
“She’s the best sister I’ve ever had and believe me I’ve had a few.”
I didn’t know what the hell that meant, but it sounded like a longer conversation than I wanted to have right now. “Then I guess I owe Max.”
“Giving him a wedding is great payback. So, we both have homework for next time.”
I groaned. “Homework? Now I need a damn drink.”
She laughed and pushed her glass toward me. “Drink up, I’ll order food to soak it up so you don’t fall off that death-cycle of yours.”
“That sounds good. Thanks, Cover Girl.”
She glared. “You’re not that cute, Tate.”
I laughed at her attempt to look tough. “I’ll bet you think you look real tough, don’t you?” She stuck her chin out defiantly.
“As tough as Tinker Bell, honey.” She glared and picked up her phone. “Whatever we get, let’s make it extra spicy with lots of anchovies.”
I patted my rock hard belly. “Mmm, my favorite.”
“Oh shut up and make us another drink. This time, put a little alcohol in it, will ya?”
“Be careful what you ask for, honey.” I added double shots to both glasses and she nodded her approval while she placed the order at a Chinese joint. This was one weird ass night, but it was the most normal I’d felt in a long damn time.
Chapter 6
Teddy
“Holy shit, this feels amazing!” I laughed, probably a lot louder than necessary but with the protective headgear and all the shooting, I felt half deaf. “I didn’t hit anything, but damn that’s powerful!”
Tate laughed and lifted up one of the headphones. “You have to aim if you want to hit anything besides trees, Cover Girl.” He ducked when I threw both hands in the air, gun waving like a flag. “Hey. Don’t ever wave a loaded gun around. Rule number one, okay?”
“Shit, my bad. Yes. Got it. No waving a gun around like I just don’t care.” I flashed a toothy grin at him. “Seriously, sorry.”
“Now you know and you won’t forget it.”
“Definitely not with the death stare you just sent my way,” I told him as I squared my shoulders and turned toward the target. “Now help me kill something.”
“You’re gonna have to spread those legs.”
Oh fuck. I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I shivered when his big, warm body pressed behind me, his rough hands sliding down my arms to make sure my elbows were just right when I held the gun. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”
His deep chuckle rumbled behind me, rattling my spine but I kept my shoulders squared and back straight. Just because Tate was a hot piece of man didn’t mean I needed to hand over my panties. “Funny.”
I looked over my shoulder at him and, holy shit, I really shouldn’t have. The man had that whole rugged outlaw biker sex appeal on a good day, but when he smiled my panties just...incinerated. “I can be,” I told him and spread my legs. “This good?”
His hands skimmed my hips. “A little more, but keep your hips squared and bend your knees just a bit. Drop this elbow,” he told me, his hand once again gliding over the area in question. “All right, now the gun shouldn’t knock you on your pretty little ass.”
I wiggled for good measure. “I did feel kind of unsteady before. Maybe I shouldn’t shoot in stilettos?”
“No, you definitely should.” His voice was thick with desire and lightly flirtatious. “Maybe we should do a half-off deal for girls in bikinis and heels.”
I laughed. “Now that’s a good marketing plan, Golden Boy.” I snorted a laugh. “Hey you could be one of The Outsiders, remember that movie? Shit, I haven’t thought about that in forever.”