Page 6 of Shootout Daddies
“I’m pretty sure Hunter means ‘only the sexiest ones,’” Rhett adds, deadpan.
I feel my skin prickle with excitement. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.”
Hunter nudges my foot with his. “You gonna let us buy you another round, or do we head out for salsa instead?”
“Are you going to take the shots with me?’ I smile at him.
He shakes his head. “I’m driving. I’ve done all my drinking for the night.”
“Then let’s do salsa,” I say.
“Yeah?” Rhett asks. “I can take shots with you if you want.”
“No, I’m good.”
I let them lead me back indoors. I bend to grab my heels from where I’d kicked them off earlier. They’re strappy and ridiculous and digging into my pinky toes, but they pull the whole outfit together.
I should say something clever. Set a boundary. Remind myself this is just rooftop small talk.
But I can’t stop grinning.
I slip my shoes back on, standing tall again. “I should probably tell someone where I’m going. So no one files a missing persons report.”
I dig out my phone. My fingers hover for a second before I tap out a quick message.
>> Hey, don’t wait up. Might be out late. All good. I’ll text when I’m back.
I hit send before I can overthink it. Brooke replies within seconds.
>> T just told me about your two hot dates. How is it going? Actually, don’t tell me. Just send me a safe word so I know you’re sober.
I smother a laugh, type back.
>> Ceviche.
“Everything okay?” Rhett asks.
“Yeah.” I tuck the phone into my clutch. “Just letting my best friend know I haven’t been abducted.”
Hunter grins, stepping a little closer. “Not yet.”
His tone is joking, but something about it lands low in my stomach. My skin tingles.
He offers his arm like we’re heading into a gala. “Come on, the night’s young.”
And just like that, I follow.
We pile into a black Range Rover, sleek and quiet and still humming with cold air from the valet line. Hunter takesthe driver’s seat, hands confident on the wheel. Rhett claims shotgun.
I slip into the back, the leather warm beneath my bare thighs, the interior low-lit and silent except for the faint thump of music still in my veins.
Hunter catches my eye in the rearview mirror. “You okay back there?”
I smirk, settling back. “I’m great.”
Rhett twists a little in his seat, glancing back at me. “You’re awfully calm for someone being kidnapped by two giant men.”
