Page 20 of Holiday Friend Zones
Even if I smell like grease every time I leave, it’s a steady job.
“Maybe I should go work there.All I do is stand around at the front desk and check out dating apps.”
Joey locks her front door behind her as we link arms and head into town.It’s a short walk from her apartment to The Dusty Spur.
“Okay, maybe we should delete the dating apps.I can’t imagine how you’re finding so many douchebags here.”
“It’s because a lot of them are just in town visiting.”
“That’s your problem.You need to find someone who is sticking around.”
“Ugh, don’t I know it.”
I shake my head at my boy-crazy best friend as we make it to the door of the bar, where a few people are gathered outside waiting to go in.Thankfully we know the owner and are shown right in.
“Trust me, Joey.When it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.”
“Until then, we’re going to put boys out of our mind and have fun tonight.”
Grabbing my hand, she pulls me inside and we’re met with a wall of sound.A live band is playing on stage to one side while the bar lines the back wall.Christmas lights hang around the ceiling and a mechanical bull sits in one corner, daring anyone to take it for a spin.
My eyes rake over the waves of people, but they know exactly where Chase is.They lock on to him.
I shouldn’t be surprised that his brown eyes are already staring back at me.This happens more often than it should and it does funny things to my inside.
Grabbing Joey’s hand, I push through the crowd of people.“We need shots!”
I have to yell it to her to be heard over the noise.By the time we get to the bar, Chase has shots waiting for us.
“Are Presley and Georgia joining you ladies tonight?”he asks, smiling at us.
A hint of a dimple pops out and it makes him that much sexier.Pair it with the backward baseball cap, The Dusty Spur T-shirt that stretches across his chest, and the thousand-watt smile, and I only have eyes for Chase Andrews.
“They’ll be here soon,” I tell him.
He winks at me before I knock back my shot.A warmth buzzes through me that has nothing to do with the tequila floating through me.
“If you need anything else, just let me know.”
Joey turns her back and links hands with mine to pull me onto the dance floor.The band switches to another popular tune as we start dancing along.
Spinning on my heeled cowboy boot, I let the music flow through me.Joey is bumping hips with me as the two of us have the best time—no boys needed.
“Hey!”
Joey’s eyes light up as I follow her line of sight.
Presley and Georgia are dodging their way through the crowd to make it to us.
“About time you got here,” I say, pulling them in for a hug.
“We grabbed some beers from the bar to make up for it.”
They pass fresh drinks to us.
“Chase knows how to take care of us,” Joey says.
The two of them join us in dancing, and every time I spin, my eyes look to the bar.I shouldn’t be so obvious, but I am.
