Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

“I would like a water and also to let you know you’ve wounded me, Stella,” Josef says, and she gives him a forgiving grin.

“I apologize.”

“Him over me? He’s old.”

Her face warms. “I have a soft spot for guys who get beat up a lot.”

I snort at that as Josef nods. “Fine. You have a sister, though?”

I’m unsure how Stella and Aiden are even breathing with how hard they’re laughing. Even Boon laughs. I know her sister is a little cuckoo, but I don’t know why it’s so funny.

“Why are they laughing?” Tanner asks, and Stella is the one to recover first.

“Unless you have committed murder, she won’t be interested.” That must scare little Josef because he doesn’t ask for more information. Instead, Stella flashes everyone a winning grin and says, “Aiden, what do you want?”

“A new waitress.”

“I’ve got you down for a Bud Light Platinum. Boon, the same?”

Once she walks away with our drink orders, I text her.

Me: Trying to get us in trouble?

Stella: I like watching you squirm.

Me: You’re evil and so damn sexy.

Stella: You knew that going in.

Me: Yup, and I still want you.

Stella: Good, ’cause I’m taking my chance.

Me: So am I.

I put my phone down and find Aiden glaring at me. I jerk my head to the side in confusion. “What?”

“You got something going on with my sister?”

I eye him. “Define something.”

“You sleeping with her?”

“No.”

“Have you?”

“No, I have not.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“And you’ll tell me if you do?”

“I mean, not in the heat of the moment, but I can send you a text afterward,” I offer, and honestly, I don’t know why. I knew how he would react.

Stella comes over with our drinks, placing them down as Aiden asks, “Do you want to die?”

“No, not today,” I say simply, but then, just to mess with her, I add, “But maybe after Sunday.”

Stella almost drops my Dr. Pepper, but I save it, meeting her gaze. “Careful there, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call her that!”

“Love.”

“That either!”

“Beautiful.”

“Wes!”

“What?” I ask innocently. “She is a beautiful, lovely sweetheart.”

“And you’re about to be a dead hockey player.”

“Ooh, I’ll call Emery,” Stella jokes. “She’d love to watch a murder investigation of her brother.”

“Stella!”

“Oh, shut up, Aiden. We’re playing around.”

The laughter at the table is unstoppable, and I almost feel bad that it’s at Aiden’s expense, but watching Stella laugh is like hearing the goal horn.

And as with the goal horn, I find I live for the sound of her laughter too.

Chapter Thirteen

Stella

Wes: Something casual but hot. I need you to be able to move quickly but then sit down for a while. So maybe bring a pair of tennis shoes, but don’t wear, like, a tight skirt, much to my dismay. Or anything super low-cut. I don’t want your boobs falling out. Not yet, at least. ;)

I’ve read his text probably nineteen times, and no matter what, I always laugh and grin like a teenager who’s been asked to homecoming by the star quarterback. Since that did happen when I was a freshman, I know the feeling. Wes, he’s got those feelings swirling deep inside me. And unlike my little-girl crush on the quarterback, nothing compares to the one I have on Wes. I read the text once more, and when I look up at my reflection, I see my cheeks are a rosy color and I’m cheesing so wide. Jeez, he is just so silly.

I look over myself. I left half my hair down in curls along my shoulders, while the other half is in a topknot on my head. I wanted to be able to pull it up if I needed but have it still be super cute if I don’t. I did my makeup with a nude look that pairs well with my lilac crop top, which I covered with a darker purple lacy cardigan and high-waisted ripped-up jeans. In my bag, I have a pair of Keds, but on my feet now are my absolute favorite Saint Laurent Opyum nude heels. They are so… Gah! Perfect! I love them.

I move back from the door, studying myself more than I’d like to admit. He’s seen me done up to the nines and then at work. So really, I can’t impress him any more, but I still want to. I want to take his breath away, like he does me. I can’t help but giggle as I slide my palms along my thighs, thinking of picking on Aiden the other night. He was so ridiculously silly, but it also makes me nervous about how he’ll feel when Wes tells him we’re going to try this out. I know he’s waiting until after our date, but there is no need to. I’d take him to bed right now. Like, this second, and not regret anything. My crush has grown to all-out admiration, and I’m ready to act on it.