Her foot stomped again. “Hot and bothered? The only thing you make me is pissified!”
My laughter boomed. “What in the hell is that?
“It would be equal parts of pissed because you’re a know-it-all smartass and mystified at what a tool you are. So as far as any hopes of ever getting me warm?—”
I grabbed her hand and walked around the line.
“Stop! What’re you doing?”
She resisted a little, but I dragged her along. We reached the bouncer at the front of the line who extended his hand. “Gabe, my man.”
“Randy, good to see you.”
He opened the door. “Get on in there, buddy.”
I nodded, and we entered before I shot her a wink. “And that’s how I get Fern warm.”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “Well, uh, thanks. That didn’t totally suck.”
“You know I’m all about pleasing a lady.”
“I don’t know about your entire crew of ladies, but this one wasn’t really that impressed by your—air quotes—pleasing.”
We stood just inside the door, and I could already feel the beats of the music pulsing through my veins. “You’re funny. I remember no complaints about the pleasing.”
“You think you’re all that. But maybe I just pretended to like it.” She hung her coat on the rack beside us.
Something kicked up inside. “No, you weren’t pretending anything.”
She gave me a bored look that made my pulse spike. “You’ll never know, will you?”
She turned, and I caught her elbow and pulled her close. Our lips were inches away from each other. I felt her breath on my face and saw the surprise in her eyes. “We both know what we are when we’re together.”
She pulled out of my grasp. “It’s just sparks. Don’t fool yourself. I could have the same thing with Brandon, you don’t know.”
She confirmed it. “So you don’t know yet? You and Bran-dude haven’t done the deed.”
She smiled and purred. “He’s been wanting to take it to the next level for years, but I was afraid of damaging the friendship. But then you taught me that anyone can have a weekend pass. So this could be the weekend.”
Her words slashed me. They hadn’t, but she was going to. The thought Brandon’s fingers sliding up her thighs or his lips touching any part of her sent my stomach churning and brought acid to the back of my throat. I’d burn the hotel to the ground before I’d let that happen. “Fern, what happened?—”
“Stop.”
She turned and scooted through the jam-packed dance floor to the bar. She pointed and bounced down to the end. A sense of calm swept over me as Tawnee was in sight. Boom! Bam! Pow! We found the runaway bride.
She looked teeny-weeny, standing next to a six-foot-two drag queen with thick pink hair, a full face of makeup, white platform boots, and wrapped in a silver dress that appeared to be made of glitter.
Fern reached her and pulled her in for a hug as she shouted over the loud music. “Thank God. You scared me to death.”
“I’m sorry. I just needed some time.” She reached over and squeezed my hand. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Come on.” Fern grabbed her by the arm, and we all headed to a lounge area off the dance floor and squished into a booth.
“I know this seems crazy, but today it hit me. What if we rushed this, and he’ll be sorry?” Her fingers raked through her hair.
“I think it’s normal to feel a little worried.” Fern tilted her head.
“I don’t know.” Tawnee’s eyes filled. “I’ve been on my best behavior. He has no idea I’m a crazy bitch.”
