Page 5 of Best Served Cold

“I mean, I’m not much of a butt guy, but it’s not terrible.” Rath squinted at River theatrically. “Not the masterpiece that I have the privilege of sitting on, but not bad. A good starter ass.”

Gray snickered.

“Are you done waxing poetic about your ass?” I asked Rath, irritation creeping into my voice.

“For now.” Rath spun his hard hat in his big palm and plopped it onto his head.

“Hey, Smiley!” one of the other guys on our crew shouted from the other end of the house.

“What?” River hollered, cupping his hands around his mouth.

“Incoming.”

“Huh?” River blinked at me.

“Hi, Riv!” an excited female voice said a moment before Chanel burst into the room in a blur of pink and yellow.

“Hey.” He grinned, cutting his gaze to me. I clearly saw his ‘what the fuck’ look but doubted anyone else would. “Careful. It’s really not safe for you to be walking around… like that.”

Gray facepalmed himself. Rath curled his lips inward and stifled a laugh.

Chanel pouted. “You don’t like what I’m wearing?”

“No! I mean, yes. You look amazing, but you shouldn’t be walking around the site without protective gear.”

Her eyes narrowed.

I knew what River was trying to say. This was an active construction site. Strutting around in sandals, tiny shorts, and a top that barely covered her tits wasn’t safe. She could easily get hurt, but of course she wouldn’t bother to read between the lines and see he was being his usual kind self. Instead she took it as an insult.

“Zane likes what I’m wearing, right, Zane?” She smiled slyly at me.

Gray covered his laugh with a cough.

“It’s not safe for a jobsite. Better watch where you step.” I motioned to a nail near her left foot. “I hope you’re up to date on your tetanus shot.”

“You’re such an asshole.” She shot River an annoyed look. “You too.”

“What’d I do?” River asked, completely bewildered.

Chanel smiled at Rath, her flirtiness back. “At least you’re not mean like them.”

He smiled back, but it was forced and uncomfortable.

“What about Gray, he didn’t do anything,” River wondered.

“Who?” Chanel glanced at Gray, then did a double take.

Gray had that effect on people, and she wasn’t subtle as she dragged her eyes down his body, elevator style.

“Hi,” she breathed, swiftly moving into shy and demure mode. “I’m Chanel.”

“Hi.” He waved awkwardly. “Gray.”

“Do I know you? I swear I’ve seen you before.”

Gray glanced at me, then back at Chanel. “I don’t think so.”

“You weren’t at Lauren’s party two weeks ago?”

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