Page 15 of A Small Town Risk

“I’ve always wanted to do this.”

“Congratulations are in order,” Elle says, holding up her shot glass as we clink and swallow. I raise my hand to get another round delivered to our table. Carson and Ryan enter, catching my eye.

“Did you know Carson was coming tonight?” I look toward Elle.

“Yeah, he’s driving us home when we’re ready.”

Both guys come over to our table; I look anywhere except at Ryan. Carson bends down and gives Elle a quick kiss.

“Are you guys ready to go home?”

We all laugh.

“No, we’re having fun. Remember, you promised,” Elle growls, giving him a hurt look.

Catherine and I laugh even harder.

“Okay. We’ll be over at the bar.” He gives her another kiss, and they leave. Ryan says nothing and I watch him walk away. The jeans really show off his ass. I turn back to the table, and both girls are giving me a look.

“What. He’s got a nice ass.”

“You need to date,” Elle says. “I’ve had guys at the bakery asking if you were available.”

“No,” I yell. I don’t want to date anybody.

“Come on,” Catherine says. “You don’t have to sleep with them. Just go out. You need to take a break and have some fun.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Our margaritas show up, and my love life, or lack thereof, is forgotten.

I have a good time with the girls, and my problems fade. I lean back in my chair. The crowd has thinned, and I’m unsure of the time. I look over toward the bar, expecting to see Ryan and Carson sitting there, but they’re gone. I scrunch up my face, trying to figure out where they are. Carson wouldn’t leave without us.

“Elle, where––” I stop talking because the guys are standing right there. I giggle and point to the bar. “You guys moved.”

I don’t know why it’s funny, but it is. I may have had a bit too much to drink.

“It’s time to go,” Carson tells us.

I stand and reach out with one hand to hold myself upright. An arm snakes around my waist to steady me.

“Thanks,” I say.

“Let’s get you out of here, huh?”

Ryan is standing close to me. I jerk back and bump into the table.

“I got you,” he murmurs in my ear.

His voice sends a warmth through my body. The man does something to me; it doesn’t matter how hard I resist.

We all leave the bar.

“I can take Parker home,” Ryan tells Carson as we get close to Elle’s Bronco. “It’s on the way.”

“That’s not a good idea,” I pipe up, wagging a finger at him. “Remember what happened last time you took me home?”

“What happened last time?” Carson asks.

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