Page 12 of Saving Ren

Cooper repeats the order, adding our drink requests to the barman. Zac gives me another small nudge before moving from between me and Jo to stand the other side of Cooper.

“Gabe, how are you?” Jo leans in and gives me a quick cuddle and a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m good. You’re looking extra gorgeous tonight. What’s the occasion?”

She flicks her hair over her shoulder, still giving me that all-knowing, seductive smile of hers. Jo’s one of those no-bullshit kind of women. I think that’s what it is about her that’s always appealed to me. There’s no drama, no pretence. She’ll happily take you home, fuck you senseless, and expect nothing more from you in the morning. A few of my mates have been there, most always hopeful for an invite back, but have never got one. She’s smart, successful, and knows exactly what she wants, and it’s definitelynota relationship.

“No occasion, just a girls’ night.”

She turns and leans her back against the bar as she scans the room.

“Cool, who you with?” I ask casually.

“Lou’s the tallest brunette, Jemma’s the other one, and Lauren’s the redhead you’ve been staring at since we walked in.”

My head jerks back like I’ve been slapped. Jo slowly turns her head, knowing brown eyes land on mine.

“I’m an accountant, Gabe, it’s my job to be observant and let nothing go unnoticed. We’re out tonight to cheer her up.”

“Why, she got shit going on? I ask.

“That, we don’t know. A few more drinks and we’re hoping she’s going to spill.”

“That’s a bit slippery, Jo. Does she know that’s your plan?”

“That’s women, Gabe. We can be slippery in more ways than one. I thought you’d know all about that?”

I have no immediate response. I smile and shake my head, and after a few moments pause, I lean into Jo.

“Let me add a round of shots to your drinks. What dya fancy?”

“You’re very kind. We’ll have a round of Cowboys please.”

“Can you add seven Cowboys to that round please, mate?” I ask the barman, passing Cooper a fifty to help cover the cost.

Turning back to Jo, I ask, “So, your mate, is the shit she’s got going on bloke related?” Not wanting to appear desperate for information, I force my eyes to roam the bar as I talk, but they snap back to Jo when she throws her head back and laughs.

“Gabriel Wild, you want the tea on my girl, then you need to man up and go ask her yourself.”

As if they’d heard what she’d said to me, the three women Jo arrived with throw their heads back and laugh.

We both study them in silence for a beat. Cooper slides a tray laden with the girls’ drinks along to Jo. “You want me to carry them over for you?” I ask.

“Gabe, really? It’s as if you don’t know me at all. Come closer, hun, and I’ll let you into a little secret.” Jo crooks her pointer finger, and I move in. “Two things I’ve learned to handle expertly in my life, men, and alcohol. So, thank you, but I think I’ve got it.”

Again, all I can do is shake my head, let out a sigh, and chuckle.

“You’re killing me, Jo, just make sure shorty knows the shots are from me.”

She picks up the tray with a smile. “I can do that for you, boo,” she says with a wink.

While my brothers watch Jo’s retreating arse weave its way across to the table her mates are standing around, my eyes lock with the redhead’s, and something shifts inside me.

Chapter 5

Lauren

“Lauren,”Jemma elbows me.