Page 29 of Get Undressed With Me

They settled into their dinner, with Hayden and Min going over the last-minute details for Hayden’s release party the following night. Brittany was feeling happy and mellow, the wine doing its work as well as watching her best friend be so clearly in love with her guy.

It was during an after-dinner coffee that Brittany’s phone beeped with a text message. Thinking it was her mother, she checked her screen… and felt her blood run cold.

BLOCKED: Don’t think you can ignore me, my love. I’m closer than you think.

“Britt, you okay?”

Numbly, Brittany glanced up at Min, who was looking at her with concern. Not wanting to dive into the explanation of the crazy day, not when Min was so clearly having a lovely evening, Brittany deflected.

“Yeah. Just a text message.”

“Is it Gus?”

“No, it’s… wait, why would you think it’s Gus?”

Min gave her a look that reminded Brittany they had been friends for a long time. “Well, you’re spending a lot of time together. You and him always seemed to… get along really well.”

“I get along with everyone.”

Hayden snorted at that, and Brittany glared at him.

“I don’t need commentary from the guy who almost ditched my friend over a stupid photo.”

He immediately sobered up. “Fair enough.”

Min rolled her eyes but wasn’t ready to let go of the subject. “It’s just that you and Gus always seemed to click. And now he’s acting like a bodyguard, and I was just wondering if you two were getting, you know… friendly.”

“We were always friends, Min.”

Min nodded, sitting back. “Yup, of course. You’ll talk when you’re ready, got it.”

Brittany narrowed her eyes, knowing her friend was placating her. It was extremely annoying when people knew you this well.

“Shut up, I have to send a text.”

Min laughed and turned to Hayden while Brittany took a screenshot of the text and sent it to Gus. She paused when she opened Gus’s contact, seeing the last text he sent her, months ago, right before she and Robbie had broken up, something about the store having the drinks she liked in stock, and should he grab her some?

That was Gus for you. Taking care of people.

Shaking off her thoughts, she sent Gus the screenshot.

Brittany: Just got this.

It took less than a moment for him to write back.

Gus: Where are you?

Brittany: Dinner with Min and Hayden.

Gus: Stay there, I’ll come get you.

She was shaking her head even as she typed.

Brittany: NO! That’s not why I’m telling you. I just thought you should know the asshole has my phone number now.

There was a moment of no response, and then the three dots appeared.

Gus: Have Hayden and Min ride back with you to the hotel. NO EXCUSES. I’ll see what I can do about the text.

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