Page 68 of Clinch'd

I feel completely shitty at her concern but jump on the lie eagerly. Anything to avoid the scrutiny I know is coming my way.

“Just the flu,” I say, lowering my tone.

“Oh no! Did you buy that flu shit you always give me?”

I hum my agreement and glance up when Beast appears at the door to the bar. He’s his usual brooding self but he looks good in a charcoal gray shirt and dark slacks.

As soon as he meets my gaze, I hang up the phone but not before rasping, “Um, gonna be sick. Gotta go.”

Lorri’s protests ring in my ears as I end the call and with a wince, I set it aside. I’ll text her later.

“What’s up?” I ask when Beast stops before me.

“Dinner. Let’s go.”

He doesn’t wait around for a response and with a grimace, I down my drink and race after him which is no easy feat in the shoes I’m wearing.

When we reach the curb, I cast him a filthy glare which he ignores as we pull away in a town car.

As soon as we’re seated, he barks, “What’s the status?”

Jumping in my seat, I press my hand to my chest and say, “Chill. I’m waiting for Suit.”

He eyes me with a blank stare before saying, “What’s the fucking holdup?”

Shaking my head, I say quietly, “I don’t know.”

“And you haven’t heard from your sister?”

“No, why would I?” I ask warily and he snorts before looking away.

“What’s going on, Beast?” I ask and his brows drop over his eyes.

“What’s going on? I can’t keep babysitting you, that’s what.”

Flinging my arm out, I laugh. “Babysitting me? You’re hardly around.”

“Don’t get clingy,” he sneers, and I sag against the seat.

“I don’t know what crawled up your ass and died but how ‘bout you keep your grumpy ass opinions to yourself?”

We don’t speak after that and once again, I follow him grumpily into the venue. This time, we really are having dinner and I pause when I see Cross standing beside a buxom blonde.

They’re stunning together and I admire the woman’s tasteful gown before glancing at my own. Normally even in the skanky shit Lorri packed, I’m the most subdued of the group. Now I look like a cheap ho, and I don’t much appreciate it.

She looks my way with a smile, and I ease because it’s genuine. Beside her, Cross smiles and I wag my finger at him.

Bad boy. He winks and grabs his date by the waist before leading her into the dining area.

Beast, who’s speaking to the man I believe to be his manager, follows behind and with a roll of my eyes, I consider walking to the bar instead.

That is, until Rafe touches my waist and says, “Come along, little troublemaker.”

Eyeing him sideways, I don’t respond as he escorts me inside. Since Beast has already chosen his seat, I comply when Rafe pulls out the chair beside him.

The beautiful blonde, Cross, Rafe, Beast, his manager, and I comprise the group until a woman with cornflower blue eyes and auburn hair, stops before an empty chair.

Rafe stiffens, his shoulder brushing mine. An action so subtle I might have missed it. She glances over the faces with a polite smile before stopping on Rafe.

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