Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(123)
Laughing at my paranoia, I shifted to the front. “Yes, I am. Let’s go have some fun.”
The girls laughed with me while the driver gave us amused, puzzled glances. Per my sister’s instructions, he drove us to a restaurant. Even though I felt like an idiot as the group of us slid out of the car and walked into Red Robin—my sister was having a craving for seasoned fries—I was grateful that we were eating first. I was starving.
Funnily enough, with the chaotic ambiance of the restaurant, we fit right in, like a piece of living art. Every patron in the place turned their heads to stare at us, though. Pushing aside the feeling of everyone’s eyes on me, I followed my sister up the stairs to the bar. The six of us scooted into a booth, with Jenny, Kate, and Rachel on one side, Cheyenne, Anna, and I on the other. The fresh-faced waiter who arrived seconds later was clearly impressed with our outfits. “Hi, I’m Gabe. I’ll be your server this evening.” Pointing his pen at our penis-inlaid boas, he smirked, “Bachelorette party?”
Pulling the boa off, I placed it on the seat beside me. Flaunting phallic shapes at a family restaurant probably wasn’t the best idea, young eyes and all. On the limo ride over, I’d made my sister put her penis necklace in her purse and promise me that she wouldn’t use her straw or sucker here. She’d grudgingly agreed.
Tossing her arm around me, Anna beamed at Gabe. “Yep, my girl’s tying the knot, so we need to get her lit!”
Gabe turned his blue eyes to me. “Congratulations.”
Surprisingly, his gaze shifted over my face. Wow, was he checking me out? “Thanks,” I murmured. “We’re celebrating her recent wedding too.” I turned to Anna. “I still can’t believe you married Griffin.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “Let it go. You’re worse than Dad.” I had to laugh at that comment. It was highly unlikely that Dad knew about Anna’s marital status. I doubt she’d even told him that she’d left Seattle yet.
Gabe’s smile widened. “Sisters?” Leaning toward us, he gave everyone a grin, then focused solely on me. “I know just what you guys need. Mind if I pick your drinks?” He winked at me as he straightened, and my mind froze. He really was hitting on me.
“Uh, no, go right ahead.” Not knowing what else to do, I gave him a polite smile.
Leaning around me, Anna told him, “It’s been a while since I’ve been one, but make mine a virgin, ’kay?” She rubbed her expanded belly and Gabe pulled his eyes from me to glance at her.
He nodded, his eyes instantly returning to mine. “Will do.” He stood back up and pointed his pen at us again. “You ladies don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
After he walked away, all of the girls looked at me simultaneously. “He was so checking you out!” Jenny exclaimed.
I sank into my chair and fingered my bright hair. “No, he wasn’t.” I giggled at the end of my sentence. Yeah, he was. Well, unfortunately for Gabe, I wasn’t single. No, I was about to formally marry my rock-star sweetheart, whose searing good looks were insignificant in comparison to the beauty inside his soul. He was as close to perfect as one human being could be, and he was mine. I was beyond blessed.
Gabe returned a few minutes later with huge, crazy-shaped glasses full of something fruity and strong; I cringed a little after taking my first sip. Gabe winked at me again. “That should properly prep you for your evening.”
I thanked him, then ordered some chicken strips. I was going to need a good base in my stomach if this drink was any indication of how the night was going to turn out. Gabe flirted with me throughout the remainder of our meal. Needless to say, I received the most attentive service that I’d ever received at a restaurant. The girls teased me about it relentlessly. Gabe was cute, so I was flattered, but Kellan had my heart and I wasn’t interested. When Gabe handed me the receipt when we were finished, his number was on it. My eyes were wide as I looked up at him. He shrugged. “Just in case it doesn’t work out.”
I was so surprised that he’d done that, my only response was, “Thanks.” Collecting myself, I added, “I think it’s going to work out, though.”
Gabe looked disheartened as I stood to leave him. I was so used to seeing that expression of disappointment on female faces as Kellan walked away that it was bizarre to see it directed at me. A thought struck me as I showed the receipt to my sister outside. If we’d been playing the game Kellan and the boys played when they went out, I would have won tonight. Just the thought made me giggle while the rest of the girls let out loud hoots and hollers.
Wondering what he would say, I snapped a picture of the receipt and texted it to Kellan with the message I won! I hoped he would find that funny, and not worry about what I was doing. But if I was willing to trust him with strippers, than he’d have to trust me too. And he did.
He didn’t text me back, but I didn’t expect him to. He was in the middle of a show, probably just about done with his set. It was strange not to be there, listening to him play, but I was enjoying my girl time. I wasn’t sure where we were headed next, but I was slightly buzzed from Gabe’s drink, so I didn’t much care. Anna gave our limo driver a swift kiss on the cheek, making the older man blush. Feeling benevolent, I kissed him on the opposite cheek.
Where we ended up going was a strip club. I frowned as the car pulled up to the bright pink neon flashing a pair of female legs so that it looked like they were kicking. I cringed at the name of the club—Pole Palace. Glancing over to Anna, I firmly told her, “I have no interest in watching a bunch of half-naked women flirt with married men.”