Page 88 of The Stud

“A mixer!” She gleefully claps prior to lifting her phone to show us a photo. “The team is working with us for the grand opening of the new store here on the Avenue of the Dragons. They’ll be dressed as baristas and helping make drinks for a few hours and posing with fans and a portion of the proceeds going to our charity. You know I didn’t even know we had a charity.”

“We don’t.”

“Uh…clearly we do if that’s where the money is going.”

“We– LMC – donothave our own charity; however,we– The Dalvegan Dragons –do.”

“It’s a giant foundation that essentially gives to and works with other smaller foundations to primarily help our local communities in various aspects including but not limited to language, fitness, education, and health, which pertains to physical, mental, as well as emotional for a variety of demographics,” Khurana adds to the explanation.

“And when we say local, we mean the entirestateof Texas, not just the city of Dalvegan because our franchise does span healthily across it.”

Audrey stares blankly at me for a moment before proceeding, “The grand opening is also where we’ll unveil our two new flavors, which iswhyI’m here.” She obnoxiously wiggles the device in our faces. “I’m gonna ask the fellas-”

“Gross.”

“Dudes?”

“Worse.”

“Players,” she dry heaves, “which of the two would they prefer to drink.”

“Boring.”

“What do you mean boring?!” Her Pepto Bismol pink jacket covered shoulders bounce in outrage. “That’s brilliant!”

“That’s the same shit you’ve done for likeeveryLMC product you’ve asked them about.” Another whistle is blown warranting a brief look to see Bass is still the one in control. “Mix shit up. It’s just like pracky. If the boys are bored, they’re gonna show up but they’re not gonna show up, ya know?”

“No.”

An eye roll precedes me glancing over my shoulder at my partner in media crime. “Khurana, Bricks has just issued you the dare of buying the cute broadskie in line behind you a drink. Not knowing anything about her, which would you go for? The mint espresso martini cold brew or the smashing s’mores cold chocolate?”

“Mint espresso martini.”

Waving a hand in his direction to demonstrate my point is wordlessly done.

“Easiest segue into asking you out for a real drink.” He leans slightly forward. “And if you don’t have plans later…I know exactly where we could go.”

“I actually do have plans…” the smile he’s offered is polite while the one I shoot my sibling is smug, “andthat’show you put a spin on the boring shit.”

All of a sudden, Hedgie skates over for a drink of water, prompting Audrey to snap at Khurana, “Start filming.” Shedoesn’t bother waiting for confirmation to poorly execute my tactic. “You’re standing in line for coffee, and someone dares you to buy the smokin’ hot babe behind you a drink. Not knowing anything about her other than she looks fantastic in faux fur,” a small fluffing is given to her puffy white collar, “which of these would you go for?” The picture is flashed at him. “The mint espresso martini cold brew or the smashing s’mores cold chocolate?”

“Uh…I’m married,” Hedgie announces between squirts of water, “so…neither?”

Frustration instantly floods Audrey’s face, though rather than simply laugh at her humiliation, I laughandmake myself useful, “Which would you send to WonderWahl?”

“Smashing s’mores,” he easily answers after another gulp. “And I’d have the coffee chick write ‘Wahl Smash’ on it.”

Laughter leaves him as he leaves us.

I victoriously lean back and sling one black yoga pants covered leg over the other. “Helps when you know your audience.”

“Idoknow them!”

Matty glides over to grab a drink next pushing her to prove my point. “Matey-”

“Matty,” the three of us correct in tandem.

“Would you rather send Wonderful-”

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