Page 31 of A Taste of Whiskey
Quinn and Sasha exchanged an amused glance.
“You’re right,” Sasha said. “You never know when you’re going to be invited to a Disney luau.”
Birdie shrugged. “It could happen, and I’d be fully prepared.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let her go full-on Birdie with you,” Quinn reassured her.
“I wouldn’t anyway,” Birdie insisted. “I know my sister. She’sgood girl meets rebellion, but don’t tell Daddy, and I have the perfect outfit in mind for her.” She took Sasha by the shoulders and turned her toward the door. “Now, go home and shower. Meet us at my place at eight, and be ready to get your flirt on!”
Chapter Nine
SASHA STRUTTED INTO the Roadhouse with Birdie and Quinn, feeling confident and sexy in a crinkled cotton-and-lace ivory tank with a plunging lace neckline and a wide band of lace beneath her breasts. They’d paired it with stringy cutoffs, white cowgirl boots, and a few gold necklaces. When she’d shown up at Birdie’s apartment, her overzealous sister had filled her in on what she’d deemed OPERATIONFORGETSEXYSINGLEDAD. The plan included an Uber, plying Sasha with alcohol, a mechanical bull, which Birdie swore was the best kind of foreplay, and a night of flirting. Sasha didn’t think the mechanical bull thing would work, but she’d try anything to redirect her heart.
Music blared through the rustic bar, and they took a moment to assess the crowd from the raised entrance. Every table was taken, and the dance floor was packed. A crowd cheered on a guy riding the mechanical bull to their right, and a few shouts came from the people gathered around the bar and pool tables. They were surrounded by dozens of good-looking, flirt-worthy men, and there were just as many attractive women. Sasha was glad Birdie had worked her magic on her hair, making the waves fuller than usual, and Quinn had shared her makeup expertise, giving Sasha just enough smoky eyes and crimson lipstick to make her feel a little vampish. She needed that extra dose of confidence if she was going to flirt the way they’d been urging her to—without first being flirted with. She wasn’t usually that forward, but tonight was anythingbutusual. She was determined to get her mind off Ezra, and while she didn’t need to sleep with a guy to do it, she definitely planned on getting her groove on.
“Tourist season has its benefits,” Quinn said.
“I’ll say. How about one of them?” Birdie pointed to a group of guys talking a few feet away.
“The dark-haired guy is hot,” Quinn said. “But the blond is too smarmy-looking for Sasha.”
The dark-haired guywasgood-looking, but he didn’t do it for Sasha. There was nothing special about him. He didn’t have the broody stare or the Greek god thing going on that Ezra did.
Ugh. I’m not playing the Ezra game tonight.
“I think I need a drink,” Sasha said, and descended the entrance steps.
As they headed for the bar, she noticed quite a few guys checking them out. It was anyone’s guess which of them they were looking at. Quinn’s hourglass figure always drew attention, and in a red silk tank top and black miniskirt, she was all that and more. Then there was Birdie in her black-and-white checked shorts, black bralette, and red ankle boots. She was the only person Sasha knew who could pull off an outfit like that without looking like she was either trying too hard or should be serving drinks at a racetrack.
Bobbie sidled up to them on their way to the bar. Her blond hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and a twinkle of excitement danced in her eyes. “Damn, you girls are on fire tonight,”
“We’re on a mission to get Sasha laid,” Birdie announced.
“Oh? Has the mission changed?” Bobbie looked curiously at Sasha.
Sasha had texted her on the way over and filled her in on their plan. Bobbie was a great wingwoman. She’d told her that Billie wasn’t working tonight, which meant Dare probably wouldn’t be there. Hopefully Cowboy would be staying in with Sully, and Sasha would only have to worry about Doc showing up and getting on her case. “No, it hasnot. We’re just flirting.”
“Okay, well, the coast is clear,” Bobbie said. “No sign of your brothers yet.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” Sasha said.
“With this crowd, they’d have a hard time keeping track of you anyway,” Quinn said as they approached the bar. Kellan, a part-time bartender, full-time law student, and a shameless flirt, lifted his chin in greeting as he served a drink to a customer.
“What are we starting with tonight?” Bobbie asked.
Sasha knew she was asking about drinks, but she felt sassy and said, “Hopefully someone tall, dark, and gorgeous.”
“Yeah, baby,” Birdie exclaimed as Bobbie headed around the bar.
“I’ve got all the tall and gorgeous you need, darlin’,” Kellan said.
Sasha smiled. “Those dimples could knock a girl to her knees, but does that line ever really work for you?”
“You tell me. If it doesn’t, I’ll come up with a dozen more because, damn, girl. You lookfine. That’s a killer outfit. Are you meeting someone special here tonight?”
“I sure hope so,” she said.
“Yes, she is,” Birdie said.
