Page 47 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

“I know, Willow. You have always been down to earth. Even your little Lulu addiction.”

A tinge of pain hits, thinking about the clothing now in the trash. “Well, that hasn’t changed. And I have a newfound love for designer shoes.”

She quirks an eyebrow. “Really?”

I stand with her and lead the way to the salad bar, catching Ace and Ford’s approval as we pass.

Evidently, they didn’t need the device to hear because of Ford’s ability to read lips.

I don’t care. They may be overprotective, but they do it out of love.

Talon couldn’t be here, so he sent his brothers to watch my back.

Yeah, I am definitely living my best life. We get in line and I begin the story of the fabulous evening I met my boyfriend’s parents.

“Friday night, Talon gave me the most effervescent pair of….”

“Make it stop,” I howl, gasping for breath. “He’s killing me.”

“On no, he’s demonstrating on her hip.” Bex snatches her phone from the middle of the table. “Video proof.”

“More like blackmail,” Abe grumbles.

Tears slide down my cheeks watching Lucas working his charm on the woman across the room. “It’s all your fault. You gave him that award.”

He holds up his palms in defense. “Not my idea. The front office came up with these awards.”

I review the plaque on the table and shake my head. Bex and I left ours in the car, but Lucas paraded in here, displaying his proudly. “Who specifically decided to credit him with ‘ Most Likely to specialize in the stripper population’ ?”

“Not sure, but they created a monster.”

The three of us continue to watch Lucas until the woman scribbles something on her napkin and hands it to him. He saunters back to the table with an arrogant grin.

“Maybe Wills’ luck is rubbing off on me.”

“My luck?”

“You met Talon here and look how that’s worked out.”

I open my mouth but shut it immediately because he’s got a valid point.

“I’d like to take credit for that!” Bex interjects.

“You!” I jolt in my seat at the brash bark coming from the man looming over me.

I sit shocked still at Tom.

“You need to move your asses to the other side of my bar.”

My eyes dart to the area where Shayla has arrived for her shift and is running around like a madwoman. There’s not a spot available unless you count the section on the far side.

“The bar is slammed.”

“Reserved section.”

“That’s for?—”

“You and your friends,” he cuts me off.

“But Talon’s not here.”

“Princess, that’s exactly why your ass needs to be in those seats. Don’t need a brawl in my joint. He wants you near me.”

“Did he call you?”

“Didn’t have to. I don’t like you out here.”

A choked laugh escapes. “You have to be kidding?”

When Abe offered to take us out to celebrate our last day of clinicals, we took him up on it.

He’s the one who suggested this place. We came straight from work without changing or freshening up.

My hair is in a sloppy ponytail, make-up long gone, and scrubs wrinkled from a day of back-to-back patients.

There’s no way I’m garnering any attention.

“It’s Friday night, we’re about to hit our rush, and I don’t have time to argue this shit. Get your ass to the bar.” Tom throws his hand over his shoulder, his eyes heated.

Bex gets our purses, Abe chuckles while grabbing his beer, and Lucas picks up his award along with his drink.

Bex nudges me, and I follow dumbfounded across the room.

Shayla has a glass waiting for me when I sit. “Here’s your favorite.”

She pops the lids off three fresh bottles and lines them up on the bar. “This round is on me.”

“Not necessary.” Abe pulls out his credit card.

“This round’s on me. Next one on Tom.” She waves him off and reads Lucas’s plaque, her lips twitching. “You don’t strike me as a professional with erotic dancers.”

“Been to my share of gentlemen’s clubs,” he boasts, squaring his shoulders. “Dancers need rehab, too.”

“I’m sure they do. Lucky for them, you’re ready and willing to provide specialized service.”

The way she says it has me coming out of my stupor from the last few minutes. “Let’s not encourage. His head is big enough.”

“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t hate. I think I’m on to something here. Maybe need to frequent all the clubs in town to research. When I pass the exam and start full-time at the clinic, it’ll be good to be prepared.”

“Why did Tom make us move?” I blurt, unable to stop myself.

Shayla casts her gaze to the end of the bar and a group of men. “Those guys are on the force. They clocked you and Bex immediately. Having Abe and Lucas was a shield until Lucas flirted with the chick at table nine. Tom didn’t like their attention on you.”

“That’s ridiculous.” I wave over my face and body. “Nothing sexy happening here.”

“I get what you think, but you’re wrong. Jewls and Harley both worked behind this bar until recognizably pregnant. They still had admirers.”

“Because they are gorgeous.”

Shayla arches her eyebrows with a bored expression. “Yeah, they also had rocks on their fingers and overprotective ogres. You’re not sporting a rock yet, and Tom knows how this goes. Talon bugged your conversation with your own mother because he’s a member of the ogre club.”

Not surprised Shayla knows about my lunch. “That was different. He was concerned about Stacy’s intentions.”

“True, but like I said, those guys at the end of the bar are on the force. Talon walks in here and sees them making a move, it won’t be pretty.

Tom doesn’t like bar brawls. They’re messy.

So, sit your pretty little ass in that stool and have fun.

Enjoy your drink, and let me know when you need a refill.

Tom ordered a case of that fancy-schmancy peach-infused vodka you like.

Since I can’t do specialty martinis until next ladies’ night, you need to put a dent in the inventory. ”

Warmth spreads through me as I peer at Tom scowling our way. His gaze meets mine and softens before the grumpiness reappears. I lift my glass to him with a smile. “Not sure I can put a dent in the inventory in one night, but I’ll try.”

“Good girl, now I must return to my customers and flirt my ass off before my own overprotective ogre comes in.” She may roll her eyes as she prances away, but they dance with excitement at the mention of Collin.

“Gotta say, Wills, never saw this coming. Years of inviting you out, only to be turned down. Now we get VIP seating, free drinks, and personalized service.” Lucas clinks the rim of his bottle to my glass. “Nice.”

I take a drink and glimpse around the bar with a renewed sense of appreciation. “I love this place.”

Abe takes a swig of his beer and rakes his eyes over us. “The clinic won’t be the same without you three these next weeks. I expect you’ll pass the exam with flying colors, but on the off chance you don’t, I’ll hound your asses.”

“Aww, Abe likes us, he really likes us.” Bex curves her hands into a heart shape.

“I’ve trained you to competence, don’t want to start over.”

I sit up straighter, knowing we lucked out by being assigned to Abraham Koch. Not only did we get to stay together, but we had a great role model. All of us have been offered positions with the Rehabilitation Company upon passing the exam. Being peers in the same clinic is like hitting a jackpot.

“To working together full-time!” I raise my drink in toast.

“And being the best Physical Therapist to the female dancer population in Nashville,” Lucas adds.

“You do know there are male dancers, too?” Abe says, motioning to Shayla for another round.

“You need to frequent the clubs to be an equal-opportunity therapist,” Bex suggests. “Add male reviews to your research agenda.”

An idea hits me full-on. “That’s brilliant, Bex.”

“What is?”

“Let’s go to a gentleman’s club.” I bounce in my seat as they all gape at me like I’m crazy.

“Now?” Abe draws out the question.

“No, for Rowan’s bachelorette party.”

“The name says it all, Wills. Gentleman’s club.” Lucas talks as if I’m a five-year-old.

“There’s a flaw in your plan. Those joints are full of horny men. The guys will never be on board unless they stake out the place.” Shayla pops back over, proving she can hear everything.

“They can stake it out beforehand.”

“They stake it out, they’ll do it while we’re there. But it was a good plan.”

“It was more of an idea than a plan,” I mutter with disappointment, knowing she’s right.

“Major shut down almost every idea Jewls had for Harley’s party.”

“Okay, then a cabaret, or…. A drag show! It will be fun.”

Bex’s eyes light up and I know she’s on board.

“I think that may work.” Shayla leans against the bar, ticking off points on her fingers. “All the girls will love the idea. And even the barbarians can’t argue about it. Well, they can because they like to act like idiots.”

“Let me handle the barbarians.”

I catch Tom’s approving smirk, also verifying he can hear everything. “You’re a nut, Princess. But you pull it off, Hollywood will love it.”

Excitement swirls through my system at his compliment and his praise. I’m beginning to see why the girls refer to him as a teddy bear.

One thing is for sure, I will pull it off.

Even if I have to get creative.