Page 78 of Corrupted Union

“Someone forgot the sugar in their sweet tea,” Stormy teased as I walked up to the bar.

I peered over my shoulder to watch Keir push through the front entrance with more force than necessary. “He’s just being dramatic.” I turned back and slid into a seat at the bar. “I wear a little pleather, and he thinks every guy in the bar is gonna hit on me.” I winked, and Stormy bent over in a fit of laughter.

“Girl, I have to say. You do look smokin’ today. The man’s not totally wrong.”

“Why, thank you. I was feeling a little extra saucy today.” I’d chosen skintight black pleather leggings and a short but baggy off-the-shoulder sweater with white sneakers. It was the perfect mix of carefree chic with a touch of sexy.

“Mission accomplished. I’ve wanted to get some of those leggings myself. Maybe I’ll wander the mall for a bit tomorrow.” She towel dried the last of a set of glasses and started stacking them upside down.

I watched her work and realized that I really liked Stormy. She was sweet but sassy and fun to talk with. She was the type of girl I wouldn’t mind being friends with, if I knew how to make friends.

Seriously, Ro. It’s time. Put your big girl panties on and ask.

Pushy much?

I cleared my throat. “Um, a trip to the mall sounds fun. You … uh … interested in any company?”

Stormy beamed. “I’d love some company. I haven’t been in the city long, so I haven’t made many friends.”

I wished my reasons for being friendless were so benign. But regardless of the past, I was doing things differently now.

“Where did you move from? Somewhere in the South, I take it?”

“I’m originally from Savannah but lived in Chicago before moving here. What about you?” She leaned against the bar, all her attention fixed on me.

“I’m a city girl, born and raised. What brought you to Manhattan?”

Her gaze lowered before she picked up a towel and wiped at a spotless bar top. “Just needed a change of scenery.” She stilled, her eyes cutting over to either side with a smirk. “And I mean, you can’t hardly beat the Moxy in terms of scenery.”

We both burst into a fit of giggles, which drew Torin’s attention. He sauntered over, lighting a cigarette while he walked.

“You shouldn’t encourage her, Rowan. She’ll never get any work done if she can talk instead.”

“It’s six in the evening,” I shot back at him, giving a pointed look around at the mostly empty club. “Surely a few minutes isn’t going to set you behind for the night.”

Tor glared while Stormy snickered.

“Don’t mind him, Rowan. His bark is worse than his bite.” She locked eyes with Tor, and something odd happened in the air around us, like maybe Stormy had somehow summoned the sultry air of a Georgia night in the middle of our New York winter.

“Pretty sure you don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Storm.” Torin’s words had a new edge to them.

She arched a perfectly manicured brow, not bowing to him an inch. “If memory serves, I know better than most.”

Hot damn! Something had definitely gone on between these two, and I needed all the details.

I pulled my phone out. “What’s your number? You can text me your address, and I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

“Pick her up? For what?” Torin barked.

Stormy ignored him and called out her number.

“The mall,” I said snidely as I typed. “You want to shop, too?”

He grimaced and stalked away, grumbling something under his breath about women and misery. I could hardly keep my laughter contained. Stormy was right there with me.

“Oh, man. That was priceless,” she said as her laughter calmed.

“He’ll learn better than to rile me up. I can get a little feisty sometimes.”

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