Page 6 of Best Served Cold

“I don’t know anyone named Lauren.”

“I was going to invite River and Rath to a little get-together, but I think it would be more fun if you were there.” She did a thing with her face that was probably supposed to be seductive but looked like she was trying to peer into the sun.

“Oh, um. I don’t think I can make it.” Gray stood like a deer caught in her headlights, which was a bit on the nose considering she was basically bouncing her breasts at him.

“You don’t even know when it is,” she pouted.

“Are you inviting his boyfriend too?” I cut in.

Gray shot me a grateful look. He was out and never hid that he was gay, but he was also too nice to tell Chanel she was barking up the wrong tree with him.

“Boyfriend?” She looked him up and down again. “That depends. Is he as hot as you? I’ve always wanted to fuck two hot guys.”

Gray spluttered.

“He’s not into chicks, and his man has better taste than that.” Crossing my arms, I mimicked her pose. “Now, is there a reason you’re at our jobsite breaking every health and safety rule we have?”

Her smile morphed into a glare. “And you wonder why no one likes you.”

“How about we all take a step back before we say something we regret,” Rath spoke up.

“Whatever.” Chanel turned to Rath. “I’m done being treated like crap. Mason’s having a party. You’re invited.” She flicked her gaze to River. “You too. Maybe you can leave the tagalong at home for once.”

“You done?” I asked.

“So done.” She threw up her hands and took an almost-step.

“Wait!” River rushed toward her.

She whirled on him, but before she could unleash her rage, he scooped her up in his arms damsel-in-distress style.

She squealed and clung to him.

“You could get hurt.” He adjusted her in his arms. “Is this okay? I should have asked first, but you were about to stomp down on that nail and—”

“It’s fine,” she said breathlessly, gazing up at him like he was a teen idol. “You’re so strong.”

River glanced around at the dusty floor littered with various pieces of reno debris. We wore safety gear for a reason. “I’ll be right back,” he said over his shoulder to no one in particular.

“The fuck just happened?” Gray asked after River had carried Chanel out of the room.

“I have no idea.” Rath pulled off his hard hat and ran his hand through his annoyingly fluffy hair. He slipped the hat back on and adjusted his belt, tugging it above his hips.

“Where’s Smiley?” Bubbles, whose real name was Ricky, asked from the other doorway. He and the rest of the crew were working on the other side of the house.

“Making sure that chick gets out of here safely.” Gray plopped his hard hat on.

“Is he hitting that?” Bubbles asked.

“She wishes.” I donned my own hard hat, ready to get back to work.

“Ralph’s tonight?” Bubbles asked us.

“Sure.” Gray nodded. “Caleb’s on nights so I don’t have to rush home.”

“I’m down for a few,” Rath said.

“You guys in?” Bubbles asked me.

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