“She doesn’t need this shit right now.”
“After the wedding.”
She shakes her head. “After the honeymoon.”
“Why wait ten days?”
“Oh, that’s a great thing to do. ‘Hey Allison and Ed, I just got fired so I could come to the wedding and yeah, my uncle was actually my father and my mother is also dead. Have a good time!’” She rolls her eyes. “That would be such a shit thing to do.”
“She won’t be happy when she finds out.”
“No, but it’s better than her worrying the entire time she’s gone. I got this, Fritz.”
Okay, now I know you think I am enlightened. I told you a lot of my thoughts on women, so I’m pretty sure there are a few of you who might like me just a little. But right now, I’m trying to figure out how to let Allison know what’s going on. Savannah might not think she needs help, but she does need affection, and she needs her girl tribe. I forgot, though, that she grew up with four brothers. She’s sitting on the bed, her hand slipping through McLovin’s fur.
“If you tell Allison, I’ll tell her you slept with Vivian the wedding coordinator.”
My eyes widen. Shit. Busted. It was months ago, and I was a rebound for her. She’d discovered her fiancé with another woman and just wanted to forget about him. One night, and that was it. I think she’s actually dating one of the Spurs right now.
“Yeah, she wanted me to know that I shouldn’t be interested in you,” she says with a snort. “As if.”
Despite the situation, I’m irritated. “Hey, a lot of women like my attention and want me to be interested in them.”
“And that’s the keyword: a lot. I’d worry about the competition.”
Her world is falling apart, and she’s now sitting on her bed, petting the asshole cat, giving me crap. I have to admire a woman like that.
“I don’t think you would have to worry about that. I never compare women.”
And why did I just say that to her? Savannah and I are simply friends, but for some reason, her saying that she isn’t interested in me rubs me the wrong way. Probably because right now, I want to do nothing more than slip onto the bed and snuggle her. Again, all about comfort.
Okay, shit, I’m lying again. I want to do more than comfort her. I want to ease her worries, and I want to give her the affection she deserves. It would be naked affection…dammit. Now that I’ve thought the word naked, my dick is now paying attention. Bastard.
Her eyebrows rise up and she laughs. That little sound—too brief for my liking—sends a multitude of feelings tumbling through me. I’ve always been able to make women laugh. It’s part of my charm. But making Savannah laugh—it’s like winning the fucking lottery.
“Don’t worry, Fritz, you’re still pretty.” Her patronizing tone makes me roll my eyes.
I turn to leave, but I pause, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Not really, but I will make it through.”
“If you need me to pay more rent, let me know.”
She frowns. “Why would I do that?”
“You know, to help with the bills.”
She waves it away. “Don’t worry about that.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“Savannah.”
“Listen, Fritz, let’s pretend you didn’t find anything out about me, and I wasn’t blubbering like a little baby and a loser when you came in here.”
I nod even though there is no way I will ever give that memory up. “Good night, Savannah.”
“Good night, Fritz.”
I shut the door knowing that McLovin will want to stay with her and, for once, it doesn’t irritate me. Right now, Savannah needs all the affection she can get.
Chapter Eleven
Savannah
After a full day and a half of rest, I’m ready to party. Have I forgotten what a clusterfuck my family is right now? Nope, but I’ve decided to push it aside and enjoy the next few days. They’ll be lurking in the background to ruin my life after the wedding, but for right now, I’m all about celebrating Allison and Ed. I will any bad thoughts away, letting the excitement of the evening fill me. I love girls’ nights. I don’t do them that often because I work most nights, but man, I love to hang out with my girls and let loose.
Thanks to taking all of Wednesday to rest, I don’t look like death warmed over anymore. I count that as a win. I know the limo will be here soon, so I grab my earrings and make my way downstairs. I don’t want the girls to have to wait. I plan on behaving tonight, just drinking a little at dinner. We are a big group of women, and we should be safe. Still, my drinking had become an escape this past year. Every time I found myself overwhelmed by work; I would reach for the bottle. When I realized what I was doing—and after more than one complete blackout—I’d started curbing my alcohol intake. Plus, if I drink too much, I might blurt out my situation and that would be the worst.
I stand in front of the hallway mirror and slip on my big gold wire hoops. It’s been so damned long since I dressed up like a girl. I do girls’ nights, but I barely pay attention to what I wear or how I look. Giddiness has me smiling. I want to go all out tonight. For some reason, it is important to me. Probably because we’re going clubbing and I can’t wait to actually have some fun. Also, I am a girl. This rite of passage for Allison is also for us. We have one more night with unmarried Allison.
I hear the steady footsteps approaching me and I know it’s Fritz. He’s been getting ready for the night of poker with Ed, Harry, and the mysterious Army buddies I have yet to meet. I offered up the house since it is big enough. There is actually a room upstairs with a massive round table where my uncle used to have poker nights. So, it seemed stupid for them to go to Ed or Harry’s.
I turn around with a smile. He stops, standing there just staring at me. He looks ruggedly handsome, wearing a Texas Rangers shirt that has seen better days, along with a pair of worn jeans that hug his hips. His hair is still wet from his shower and I know exactly how he would smell. He’s got some kind of soap that reminds me of cedar trees and bubbling streams.
Good lord, Savannah. Bubbling streams? Ack.
“Wow,” he says, his voice filling with masculine approval, and I try my best not to blush. I know I’m probably more dressed up than he is used to seeing. I’m wearing a sheer red blouse, a black tank top beneath it, and tight black jeans. I threw on a pair of black heels, which complement the outfit. His gaze travels down my body, then back up, where he finally focuses on my face. I have on more makeup than normal too. When you work in a kitchen, it’s useless to slap on too much makeup. It just sweats off. But right now, he’s staring at me and I have no idea what to say to him.
“So, you approve?”
He frowns. “Yeah.”
“Why are you frowning?”
He shrugs and shoves his hands into his pockets. “No reason just…nothing.”
“Okay.” I look back at my reflection in the mirror, then frown at myself. “Maybe I should have put my hair up. It will get hot if we’re going to be dancing.”
He doesn’t say anything, but he’s still staring at me. I turn around.
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
“Yeah, nothing wrong. Just…”
“What?”
The moment stretches out and I have no idea what that funny look is for. Fritz is the kind of guy who goes the extra mile to be nice to women. He wouldn’t blurt out that I look stupid.
“Nothing,” he says, his voice rolling over the word. My nipples go instantly hard and I’m suddenly thankful that there are three layers of clothes hiding that fact. It would be so damned embarrassing if he saw my reaction to him. He moves closer and I turn back to face him again.
We stare at each other for a long moment before he opens his mouth to say something, but there is a loud, obnoxious honk outside. We both jump at the sound. I look out the window and see a Hummer limo. Allison jumps out, then hurries toward the front door. I grab
my purse, preparing to open the door.
“Be safe, tonight,” Fritz says.
I give him a smile. “We will. I’m the somewhat sober companion tonight.”
“That doesn’t sound like fun.”
“I’ll only have a couple drinks since I offered to be the mother hen this evening. Don’t lose all your money tonight.”
“I’ll try.”
I wait for a second longer, then open the door and meet Allison on my front porch.
“Wow, you’re hot. Maybe I should ditch Ed and marry you this weekend.”
“My specialty isn’t cupcakes,” I say with a laugh.
“Hey, Allison,” Fritz says.
“Oh, Fritz. Have fun playing poker.”
“Don’t let me find a bunch of empty bottles and food, Fritz,” I say with a laugh. The truth is, Fritz is probably one of the tidiest men I’ve met. I don’t know a lot of guys’ personal habits, but three of my four brothers are slobs.
“Sure, dear,” he calls out as I wave and get into the limo. It is obvious everyone has been drinking already. I was the last stop because I am the closest to the restaurant we are going to.
EJ hands me a glass of what smells like a very strong margarita. “Drink up, girly. We are about to get our food on, then go do some dancing.”
A couple hours later, we’re on our way to Stallions, the newest club to hit the market. Syd works for the Hawthornes, who happen to own both the club and the TV network her brother and her best friend Nancy work for.
Our motley crew is an interesting sort. Syd, Nancy, Allison, EJ, and EJ’s Gran—who claims she needs to discover what all the fuss is about with this club—are in the limo. That’s right. My twenty-nine-year-old friend has her best friend’s grandmother at her bachelorette party. We are quirky, that’s for sure, but then, Gran rocks.
The sound level in the limo is almost defeating, but I have a pleasant buzz going on and no headache in sight. There’s a good chance that it might just be because I actually slept for the first time in weeks. Sticking with my plan, I had only the two drinks, then I stopped, for all the reasons I thought earlier. Liquor loosens my tongue, so there is a good chance I would tell everyone that my mother fired me and, oh, yeah, well, she’s really not my mother.
“Now,” Syd says, her gaze zeroing in on me, “There will be many men there. Like I know a few of the Spurs tend to show up, along with some of the Rampage,” she says naming the NBA team in San Antonio and the semi-pro hockey team. “I think we should tap one of them to rid you of your virginity.”
The entire limo goes silent, and I cut a look at Allison and EJ. They are the only two people I told about my virginity, making them the only two people who could have told her. They are both shaking their heads.
“They both told me,” Syd says with a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll fix you up.”
Irritation swamps me. “I don’t need to be fixed up.”
“No reason to be a scared virgin,” Gran says.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not a scared virgin. I’m not holding onto it because I need a man to swoop in and relieve me of it. I just haven’t had the opportunity.”
I’ve never been embarrassed by my virginity. I didn’t believe that I needed a man to satisfy my needs, and I haven’t had the time to date these last few years. Now that I am unemployed, I will definitely have time to pursue dating. I might just need to get on one of those sites.
Gran snorts. “You haven’t had the opportunity. Look at you! You should be knee-deep in penises.”
“Gran,” EJ says with a laugh.
“I see you definitely don’t fall far from the tree,” Allison says.
“Anyway, I don’t need help with my virginity. When it’s supposed to happen, it will. Meanwhile, I have a good supply of batteries and a selection of vibrators that help me anytime I need to get off.”
Gran opens her mouth to argue, I am sure of it. I hold up my hand.
“I am not some princess in the castle, and it’s not like I haven’t done stuff with guys.”
We come to a stop and the window separating us and the driver slides down.
“We’ve arrived at Stallions, Ms. Fillmore.”
The other women slip out of the limo and I eye my friends. “The only thing saving both of you from black eyes is the fact that Allison is getting married this weekend.”
Allison sighs. EJ smiles. Those are my friends. One is our conscience. The other is urging us to be bad.
“I was talking about the gift certificate I bought you,” EJ explains. Yep, she bought me a gift certificate for an adult toy shop, then made me go buy a vibrator. I wanted to be mad, but that thing has been a godsend. I now have several, and I am a regular customer to the shop. Again, not embarrassed by my virginity, or by my sexuality.
“You just blurted it out?”
“No, she didn’t” Allison said. “Syd wanted to know why you wouldn’t go buy your own toys.”
I close my eyes and really want to be mad, but considering my week so far, this isn’t that bad. “Fine.”
“See, she’s not mad,” EJ says. I cut her another look.
“No, I am mad, but you know what, fuck it.”
“That’s the problem,” she says. “You do need to fuck.”
“Elliana James,” Allison admonishes.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get her back.”
EJ just smiles because there is one thing EJ likes…a challenge…and this is the way she will see this. There’s a knock on the window and I can just make out Syd, who is motioning at us to hurry up. We slip out of the limo and I go talk to the driver.
“I think give us at least two hours. I’ll text you when we’re done.”
He nods and smiles at me. He’s about my age, with blond hair and brown eyes. I heard EJ’s Gran talking about his dreamy eyes, but he does nothing for me. Zip. I’ve been finding myself a little partial to blue eyes with golden flecks in the irises. And darker hair, and a man who is so sweet and sexy that I can’t do anything but think about him all the time. Like right now, when another man is smiling at me.
Dammit.
“Sure thing, Ms. Martinez.”
“I told you to call me Savannah.”
His smile transforms into a grin. Yep, he’s gorgeous but there’s nothing there. Not even a little fizzle. “If you insist.”
“I’ll text when we’re ready,” I say again.
He nods as his gaze travels down my body. Okay, it isn’t in a creepy way, but it just does nothing for me. At all. I step away and shut the door so I can hurry after my charges.
I walk into the club with a nod to the doorman. I’ve never had the clout to do something like this. The Martinez family name could probably get me in and out of places easily, but I have never been a partier. Even when I was younger. By the time I find the girls, they are in the VIP section and ordering drinks from the waitress. It is on a raised floor, just about five feet above the rest of the area, giving anyone sitting there an easy view of the dance floor. It’s not huge, but that’s why I think it’s been so popular. It’s exclusive.
“Water,” I say when she asks me. The sound of Freek-a-Leek fills the club. Syd and Nancy squeal and hurry out to the floor. The rest of them follow, except for EJ’s Gran.
“You’re not going?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Not one for club dancing, plus, I want to watch out for the drinks.”
She eyes me. “Smart woman.”
“Thank you.”
“Sometimes it’s better to be stupid though,” she shouts over the music.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I married my husband because it was the smart move. Horrible marriage. Sometimes, it’s better to not choose the smart choice. Like with your virginity.”
Oh, God. Yep, I knew she was like this. It’s one of the things I like about her but being the focus of her discussion isn’t fun.
“Okay,” I say. The waitress arrives with our drinks. Once she leaves us, I s
ettle in with my water and enjoy my friends’ behavior. I don’t want to be a wet blanket so I’m glad to be the sober girl for the night. They’re in a circle, all dancing with each other, ignoring any men coming their way. Why do guys even do that? I keep my eye trained on them to make sure no one gets out of line.
“Are you one of those women saving yourself for marriage?” Gran asks.
“No.” It was never that. I know if a woman reaches the age of twenty-eight and is still a virgin, people would probably think there was something wrong with her. There isn’t, other than my inability to trust people. Growing up as one of the Martinez family, there were a lot of people who wanted favors from my family. Being the youngest and a girl, the guys came out of the woodwork. Because of that, then heading out to California before my eighteenth birthday, kind of made it hard to hook up with my fellow classmates.
I have no hang-ups, and I’m not afraid of penises in the least. I just didn’t have the time before now.
“You live with that O’Bryan boy, don’t you?” Gran asks.
“I like to think he lives with me since I own the house.”
She smiles. “I like you, Savannah.”
Oh, God, that sounds like she is about to kick my ass.
“But you need to get yourself a life.”
I blink. “What?”
“You’re not a woman who is afraid of men, I can see that in the way you’ve interacted with men tonight. But, from what my granddaughter tells me, you work all the time. Life is too short to waste it away by yourself.”
I blink back against the tears that burn the backs of my eyes, but I smile.
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
She nods, then sits back in her chair, apparently satisfied with my comment. As we sit beside each other watching the antics of my friends, I realize how true my statement is. I no longer have my family holding me back. After this week, I can start doing what I want with my life.
Scrumptious: A Friends to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Camos and Cupcakes Book 3) Page 10