Take a Chance on Me(84)

“I don’t have a problem.” Maddie waved her hand in the air as the buzz in her head pounded in time to the beat of a country rock song. “But how much can we drink?”

Gracie rolled her eyes. “We’ll dance it off later.”

Maddie narrowed her eyes as Gracie removed another round of cocktails from some other guy’s big, beefy hands.

Later, she hoped to be passed out next to Mitch after he’d exhausted her into sexual oblivion. No matter how distant they were in the light of day, at night they went after each other like starvation victims being given their first meal.

At the thought of Mitch, it occurred to her that she hadn’t told him where she’d gone.

She’d just left. That was kind of rude. It was common decency to let him know where she was. As the next fishbowl margarita lined up in front of her, she shouted, “I need to call Mitch.”

“Don’t worry about him. Have fun.” Gracie pushed her half-empty glass toward her.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“I’m trying to give you a good time.”

She wanted to have fun, too, but now that she’d gotten it into her fuzzy head that she wanted to talk to Mitch she couldn’t get it out. “Can I borrow your cell?”

Gracie slid an arm around her shoulder. “Nope.”

She fidgeted in her stool, playing with a damp drink napkin. “I want to call Mitch.”

“If he wants to know where you are, he’ll find you.”

“But we’re in the town over.”

“Would you relax and have a good time?”

“I will, but first I want to tell him where I went so he won’t worry.” Swaying in her seat, she took another sip of margarita. It would be nice if he realized she was gone.

Again, Gracie rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and have fun.”

Maddie stuck out her tongue, and a giggle erupted from out of nowhere.

Billy sidled back up to their table, drinks in hand. He frowned when he noticed the full drinks that had made an appearance during his short absence. Gracie patted him on the arm and gave him a megawatt smile. “Thanks, Billy. A girl can never have too many free drinks.”

Maddie’s head was feeling like a cotton cloud, and she wondered if there was a potted plant she could start dumping the cocktails in. She’d be sliding under the table soon if they kept going at this rate.

“How do you like Revival?” Billy asked, his gaze sliding down her body.

“Great,” Maddie said absently, and eyed Gracie’s phone on the table. “I’m going to call.”

“What?” Billy glanced over his shoulder. “Who?”

She grabbed the cell, pressed the menu button, and scrolled through the names until she found Mitch.

The phone was snatched from her grasp. She let out a screech, her fingers clasping at air. “Hey! Give that back.”

Gracie slipped it down the V of her tank and into her ample cleavage. “Come and get it.”

Billy plopped down on a vacant stool, eyes bugging out of his head.

Maddie stared at Gracie’s chest and contemplated. She could stick her hand down a woman’s top. It was no big deal—just skin, for God’s sake. She jumped off the stool and straightened to her full five-foot-three inches. “What is wrong with calling him?”

“It’s a girlfriend’s responsibility to stop her friend from the dreaded drunk dial.”

Maddie scowled. She was not drunk dialing! “Telling him where I am isn’t a crime.”

Gracie planted her hands on her hips. “Sorry, honey. I’m doing this for your own good.”

“You don’t understand.” Maddie picked up her drink and took a slow sip. Her gaze was fixed on the stretch of fabric across Gracie’s ample chest. She wanted that phone, and with way too many margaritas in her system, she wasn’t above groping another woman to get it. “I’m getting that phone.”

Billy’s mouth dropped open, and Maddie was surprised no drool hung down his chin like a rabid dog’s.

“You’ll thank me later.” Gracie didn’t appear the least bit threatened. If anything, she thrust her breasts out farther, as though daring Maddie to come and get it.

“Give it to me!” Maddie stomped her foot.

“Like I said, come and get it.” Gracie batted her thick lashes, cornflower-blue eyes sparkling. She tucked her hand into her top and shoved it lower into her bra.

“All right, but remember, I know how to fight.”

Gracie laughed and Billy whooped like he’d hit the jackpot.

Maddie charged.

Gracie’s eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a holler, crossing her arms over her chest for protection. Maddie refused to be thwarted. She squeezed her lids together so she wouldn’t have to look and flung her hands out, praying she’d get hold of something. When her palm brushed against soft, pillowy cotton, she squealed.

Pay dirt.

“Maddie!” Gracie grabbed her hand, twisting her body to block Maddie’s progress. “That’s my boob!”

Maddie reached again and this time her hand curled around the cotton neckline. She pulled, squirming down the deep V of the top. Her fingers brushed the phone and a surge of adrenaline pounded through her.

“Now, why doesn’t this surprise me?” Mitch’s voice made her knees go weak.