Page 23 of One Killer Night

My head immediately starts shaking as I wave a hand in front of him, laughing as I speak.

“Absolutely not. No way. Do not set this shit show up with your sister.” I lean in closer across the table, taking her hand. “He’s not even house-trained. I’m pretty sure he drinks out of the toilet.”

Chase scoffs. “It’s a bidet, you fucking heathen.”

More laughter spills out of her. I knew she’d love him from the moment the first of many inappropriate things was said.

She smiles at me again, and I give one back, but I swear the only thought I’m capable of makes me want to kiss her.

Goldie is a beautifully dangerous creature. The kind that makes men believe in all the shit they’ve sworn off. Like girlfriends and commitment and that maybe someone like her could like someone like me.

A couple passes, eliciting a nod from Chase as they sing his praises, and he eats it up before bringing his attention back to us. But during the diversion, I take the opportunity to steal a fleeting second, a moment to take in the normalcy of a place in time when a girl I like meets my best friend. It’s so ordinary and perfect.

Can I have this?Not if she really knew you.

Chase’s voice interjects like cold water over my thoughts as I inconspicuously breathe through the tightness nestled in my chest.

“So, what’s the big after-plan? Now that meeting me’s set the bar so high?”

She shakes her head, searching my eyes. “I think a movie, but maybe a walk first?”

I nod and let go of her hand, ready to wrap this shit up, until Chase puts the bill down in front of me.

“I’m not paying that. You made us come tonight.”

I stand, and he chuckles.

“You dick. It’s my number for her sister.”

“Why is it on a piece of paper?”

“I’m making a grand gesture.” He looks at Goldie, who’s standing too. “You might want to rethink this guy. Trust me, ask him about the last girl he brought here and how well that turned out ...” He coughs like he’s trying to cover what he’s saying. “She left him for me.”

“Complete fabrication,” I instantly shoot back, looking at her with a wrinkled forehead. “I’ve never brought another woman here, let alone rolled the dice subjecting someone to him.” I shift back to the humor in my best friend’s face. “If this woman stops talking to me, I’m going to burn your place down.”

Goldie’s laughing at us again as I shove the paper with his number back at him. He faces her, ignoring me as I walk around the table. He takes her hand and kisses the top in dramatic fashion before talking more shit.

“Listen, go easy on Noah. I might be lying, but I’m trying to help because he’s ugly, and girls never like him. Not everyone can have mypersonality.” She grins wider at his baloney. “Knock me a little kiss right here,” he says, turning his cheek to her.

She does, and he makes a point of overexaggeratedly biting his lips like he’s enjoying it. My hands find her waist, turning her away before I lead her far from my degenerate friend.

“It was nice meeting you, Goldie.”

“You too, Chase,” she calls out before I grab our coats at the front, hearing him at our backs.

“Feel free to exaggerate my good looks when you talk to your sister. 617-374—”

I can’t help but laugh as I push through the door. The moment we get outside, I can feel her staring at me.

“What?” I breathe, turning my head to look at her.

Man, she’s pretty.

“Nothing. You two are great together. How long have you been dating?”

My shoulders shake with amusement.

“No, but seriously, you two seem like family. How long have you known each other?”