Burn (Breathless #3)(72)

Brittany sobered and glanced Josie’s way. “I’m really sorry about my mom and what she said about you. I was so horrified and embarrassed. Even more so because I’ve put up with her for so long. Ash has never let her walk over him and that’s why she hates him so much. But me and my other brothers?”

She broke off, cringing.

Josie’s heart went out to her and she reached forward to squeeze her hand. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Britt,” she said, adopting Ash’s pet name for her. Judging by the instant light in her eyes, she liked it. “I’m just so happy you aren’t letting her run over you now.”

Mia’s nose crinkled in distaste. “Not to offend you, Brittany, but your mother is a bitch. And Ash is such a good guy. I have no idea how he managed it springing from that gene pool.”

Brittany frowned. “You aren’t offending me, Mia. I, more than anyone, know how much of a bitch my mother is. I don’t know why she’s the way she is. I wish I knew.”

Bethany’s eyes simmered with sympathy. “I don’t know much, only what Jace has told me and the few times Ash has mentioned his family, but none of it sounds good. Jace worries about him. A lot.”

“Let’s not talk about them tonight,” Brittany said in a bright voice. “We’re supposed to be having fun, right? This is the first time I can honestly say I’ve looked forward to a night out with the girls.”

“Agreed,” Josie said. “And I need Mia’s and Bethany’s help because, uhm, obviously Ash is expecting something from this night, and I’m not entirely certain what it is. I don’t want to disappoint him!”

Mia and Bethany both dissolved into laughter.

“Oh, we’ll fill you in on all the juicy details,” Mia said smugly. “I had to guide Bethany through her first night out with us, and let’s just say, she had one happy man that night.”

“You’re killing me,” Brittany muttered. “I have no hot guy to go home to, and I have to say, it’s been way too long since I’ve had anything remotely resembling good sex.”

Bethany’s lips pinched together in thought. “What about one of Brandon’s friends, Mia? There is a vast array of hotness working at that club. Surely one of them is single.”

“I’ll sic Caro on it when we get there,” Mia said.

“I don’t want to come across as desperate!” Brittany protested.

Bethany shook her head. “Of course not! Caro will fix you up. Maybe introduce you to one of the guys.”

When they arrived at the club, the door immediately opened, and a pretty, younger woman stuck her head in, a broad smile on her lips. She shoved her hand in before anyone could get out.

“Look at it!” she squealed. “Isn’t it awesome?”

Mia pounced on the woman’s hand and then pulled her so she fell into the car with them.

“Oh my God, Caro, it’s gorgeous! Brandon did so good!”

Caro grinned so big that it lit up the inside of the limo. Then she glanced Josie and Brittany’s way and her smile got even bigger.

“I’m Caroline,” she said, extending her right hand. “You must be Josie and Brittany!”

“I’m Josie,” Josie said, returning her smile. “And this is Brittany.”

“Brandon’s waiting so let’s get going,” Caroline said enthusiastically. “He has our table, of course, and tonight we have two waitresses instead of our usual one. We’re expanding, girls! Soon we’ll have the entire club to ourselves on our nights out.”

“Now there’s an idea,” Mia drawled. “Our own private club. It has a certain ring to it.”

Bethany snorted as they piled out. “All you’d have to do is tell Gabe you want one and he’d buy it for you.”

Mia grinned. “This is true.”

“Chessy, Gina and Trish are already inside waiting at the table,” Caroline explained.

Then a big, goofy smile attacked her face and Josie glanced up to see what she was looking at.

A tall, very muscular, very hot guy stood there, smiling indulgently. He had a goatee and he wore an earring in his left ear. It was obvious, judging by the way Caroline looked at him and the way he looked at her, that this had to be Brandon, the bouncer. He certainly looked the part.

“Ladies,” he greeted. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your table.”

“You did awesome, Brandon,” Mia said, patting him on the shoulder. “Caro’s ring is gorgeous!”

He smiled. “Glad you approve. I wanted her to have the perfect ring. It’s only fair. I get the perfect girl so she gets the perfect ring.”

“Oh damn,” Brittany muttered. “That’s the most awesome thing I’ve ever heard a guy say.”

Josie had to agree. It was absolutely sweet.

Caroline’s cheeks flushed but her eyes shone with love for Brandon. Two weeks ago, seeing this would have made Josie insanely jealous, because Michael would never ever make his feelings known in public. Or private for that matter. But now she had Ash. Ash who had no problem whatsoever with people knowing Josie was his.

They pushed their way to the front, bypassing the long line of people waiting to get in. Then Brandon led them through the noisy crowd toward a set of tables in the corner of the room just off the dance floor.