Page 40 of Love Gamble

“Yeah, instead you’re alone here leaning over the table talking to the hot older redhead,” she replies in a dry tone, putting her hands on her hips. “This is my fault for choosing a man who is so incredibly good-looking.”

She walks inside, and I grin at the compliment.

If only she knew that she has nothing to worry about.

I’m going to make it my mission to make sure that she does.

Chapter Eighteen

Corey

I came here tonight with a lot of jealousy, and pettiness...but I’m actually having such a good time. The cocktails are flowing, the show is actually really good, and the dancers are so talented. I find myself admiring their sexy costumes, the fishnet stockings and feather boas, and their seductive dance moves.

I might have overreacted a little by making the women come here tonight just so I could see with my own eyes what Damon was up to. I can now see that I’m definitely showing my crazy a little too soon, especially when he was open with how my age was a concern for him.

I’m not coming off as the most mature.

I shouldn’t have come in here tonight, guns blazing, when he was working.

But now that I’m here, it’s actually turned into such a fun girls’ night, and I’ve mostly forgotten that Damon is even here.

“We need to do this more often,” Bella says, lifting her glass up. “Cheers to us, letting loose. Thank you, Corey, for being crazy enough about Damon to make us show up here.”

Truth be told, they didn’t want to come and tried to talk me out of it. But Julianna didn’t put her foot down, which she easily could have, so maybe she wanted a night out, too, letting her parents keep Julian for the first time. I know that we aren’t supposed to be out without the men with us because of everything going on with Tatum and his MC, but Damon is here, so that counts for something, right?

There’s no way he hasn’t messaged Romeo and River and told them where their women are.

I excuse myself and get up and go to the bathroom, where I find Echo looking at herself in the mirror.

“Hey,” I say, and she smiles and wipes her eyes. Was she crying? “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine,” she replies, clearing her throat. “So Damon tells me you guys were maybe looking for some new friends.”

I laugh, feeling tipsy after my three drinks. Although technically I’m not legal yet, it’s never been an issue for any establishment owned by the MC. “Yeah, I did say that. We realized we didn’t have anyone else that we actually liked.”

She smiles sadly and straightens the collar of her blouse, and it hits me that maybe she needs a friend, too.

“Are you finished with work?”

“Yeah, I’m done for the night.”

“Would you like to join us for a drink?” I ask.

It’s not her fault that she’s gorgeous and a way more sophisticated and sexy redhead than I am. She looks sad, and a little vulnerable, and I think she needs someone to reach out to her. I’ve heard only good things about Echo from all the men, and how professional she is.

“Really?” she asks, sounding surprised. “I don’t want to interrupt your night...”

I wave my hand in the air. “The more the merrier. I only came here because I wanted to see where Damon was spending his night, and just how close he was getting to the dancers.”

Green eyes widen. “Oh, you and Damon?”

“It’s new,” I admit, wincing. I probably shouldn’t tell everyone yet. For all we know next week we could be back to ignoring each other. “But don’t repeat that, please.”

“Of course,” she replies, hiding her grin.

She heads out while I use the restroom and check my texts, but there’s no reply from Tatum. I’m well aware River and Damon would be pissed to know what I am doing, but I find myself falling deeper into it anyway.

When I get back to the table, Echo is sitting there, and Julianna and Bella are ordering her a drink.

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