Page 34 of Shockproof

Because she wants to actually try new shit like she’s been saying.

And if new shit just so happens to be being the eye candy on my arm that keeps the Backwoods Barbies at bay while we toss back a beer and listen to Dierks Bentley then who am I to complain?

My eyes have just finished doing a quick sweep of our surroundings when a woman cautiously calls out, “Vi Vi?”

Our groups attention immediately swings to the smiling, cut off jean shorts wearing woman.

“Ohmygod, Li Li?!” Aviva squeaks in return to the brunette I’ve met.

That right now I wish I hadn’t.

That the knot in my gut is telling me I’m gonnaregretthat I have.

The two embrace in a quick, cordial hug that’s followed with Blu’s girlfriend stating, “I didn’t know you were back in town already!”

“Hey, Lila,” Blu greets, momentarily giving up on the bartender who is blatantly ignoring our area.

I’m notthatintimidating.

At the moment, anyway.

Guy’s just being a prick.

“Hey Blu.” Lila offhandedly acknowledges back before resuming her convo with her friend. “Yeah, it was just this small sales retreat up in Applecourt, Michigan. Gorgeous scenery, but-”

“Way too many apples?” I unconsciously interject.

“Exactly!” Her expression lights up even more at the sight of me. “Like does anyonereallyeat that many apples?”

“Accordin’ to the locals, yeah. And if they ain’t eatin’ ‘em, they damn sure are drinkin’ em.”

“Did you happen to try the Apple Pie Moonshine when you were there?”

The beam the memory summons causes me to chuckle. “Which type? The one with vodka or Everclear?”

“Ugh,” she gags without hesitation, “there’s one with fucking Everclear?”

“My feelin’s exactly.”

Our exchange of snickers easily segues her into a warm greeting. “Good to see you again, Wahl. Didn’t think I ever would…”

There’s no time to acknowledge or retort due to Arley unhappily snipping, “Again?” Her blue and brown flannel covered arms fold defensively across her chest. “As in you two know each other? As in you two have previously met?”

“Yeah, we went out awhile back,” Lila nonchalantly answers.

Huh.

This assignment is about to hit an unexpected complication, isn’t it?

“Likerightbefore you two started dating,” Aviva describes to Arley yet gravitates closer to Blu. “Like thedayyou had that whole hospital scare and Khar had to leave our potpies in the oven to get to the office and Wahl had to like drop everything to come be with you-”

“I’m everything,” Lila states in such a way there’s no denying it makes my girlfriend’s skin crawl.

Did I say complicated?

I meant compromised.

This information pickup disguised as a date has been compromised.

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