Page 46 of French Martini

“All of you?” Wren asks. “That would be pretty intimidating.”

“All of us,” Kit says. “That fucker better stay in line.”

Stewart practically swoons as he hooks his arm around Kit’s bicep.

“You don’t have to pay for the rest of the month,” I add. “You need to get out of that situation.”

“I have the money for a few months already saved. I appreciate it though.” He rubs his forehead and his eyes turn glassy. I feel for him. “I let him talk me into opening a lot of thedebt we had in my name only. That’s why I can’t afford as much as I should be able to given what you guys pay me.” He tugs on a lock of his hair. “I can’t believe it ended up like this, you know? He was a good guy but something changed. I held on, hoping the guy I fell for would come back, but I don’t think he’s going to, and even if he did, too much has happened.”

Exactly my point. Love always starts out beautiful, but the devastation when it ends is too much. I couldn’t bear to lose Oakley in that way. Much better to keep it light and fun and nothing else. I’ll figure out later how to stay out of his bed when all this is over.

“It happens to the best of us, Wren.” Everyone turns to me. “We all want to see the good in the people we love, even when they’re dead set on proving us wrong. Try not to beat yourself up for being someone who believed in love.”

Indy reaches over and rubs my back.

“Thanks, Low,” Wren says. “Thanks, all of you. The best thing for me is getting out of this situation. I appreciate the support.”

“What’s the plan?” Bane asks. “Tonight?”

Wren shakes his head. “Tomorrow. He has poker night at our place tonight. He’ll be passed out drunk by the time I get home from the bar.”

“That’s not a good time to do this?” Salem asks.

“No. He’s pretty volatile when he’s drunk, and while I know you guys would be there, I’d rather not add any fuel to the fire.”

“Tomorrow it is,” Ridley says. “Your room will be ready.”

Wren nods and smiles. I wonder if he has any clue that Ridley is into him, or if he’s been too distracted by his personal situation to notice.

After Wren leaves, we clean up after breakfast and chat about the day ahead, but I notice Ridley seems down.

“You okay?”

He nods, smiling. “Yeah. Finding out how bad his situation really is was a bummer.”

“I didn’t know either,” Salem says. “He’s been keeping most of the details to himself.”

“He needs friends and people who care,” Ridley says. “I know I’ve been pretty obvious about my attraction to him, but if you all could keep that on the downlow, I’d appreciate it. I don’t want him to think he’s moving from one predator to another. I won’t make a move.”

“We know that,” Bane says. “You’re not a trash dude.”

“I’ve never said anything,” Salem says, “and I don’t think he’s noticed. He’s pretty in his head about the restaurant.”

“Thanks, guys.” Ridley cracks his knuckles. “But if that guy touches a hair on his ginger head, I’ll pummel his face.”

“I’ll hold him for you,” Kit says.

“I’ll rip his dick off,” Indy growls.

“At least Wren has us,” Jerryn says.

“We may be a motley crew, but we’re a loyal one,” Bane adds.

“I’m sure he feels supported,” Stewart says. “And that’s all we really need in life.”

I smile, rinsing a plate.

The Smut Societyis ten rowdy women in their forties and fifties, fun as hell, and they’ve kept us running our asses off with food and drink orders. Not to mention the rest of the place has been busy thanks to the sun coming out and the unusually warm temperature.

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