Rush

squeezed with dismay to see not
     only Caroline but three of their other friends, Chessy, Trish and Gina, slouched in
     the living room. They bolted upright when they saw Mia, and there was a chorus of
     congratulations and whistles.
    Mia stared at them in bewilderment. Caroline rose with a smile and walked over to
     Mia to put an arm around her shoulders.
    “I filled them in on your new ‘job opportunity’ with the sex god that is Gabe Hamilton.”
    “For God’s sake, Caro,” Mia muttered.
    And then she was surrounded by her girlfriends, and it was impossible to maintain
     any sort of irritation in their presence. They pelted her with questions, and it was
     so tempting for Mia to confide in them. To tell them just what she’d agreed to. But
     she wouldn’t risk it. Not even with her best friends.
    “So is the man stacked? You know, does he have a big peen or what?” Chessy drawled.
    “Do you think he pulled it out during the job interview?” Mia asked incredulously.
    The others dissolved into laughter, and a round of crude jokes went up as they all
     speculated on Gabe whipping out his dick.
    “I bet he knows what to do with it,” Trish said wistfully. “Unlike my last boyfriend.
     Maybe Gabe could give him some pointers.”
    Gina snorted. “For all we know Gabe sucks in the sack. Or maybe he’s even gay. You
     know all the gorgeous to-die-for guys are always the ones who are unavailable. Though
     given a chance, I’d definitely see if I could turn him.”
    Mia groaned. “He’s not gay.”
    “And you know this how?” Chessy asked with a raised brow.
    “He’s Jace’s best friend,” Mia said in exasperation. “I’ve practically grown up around
     him. He was married and he’s had no shortage of women in his life.”
    Gina shrugged. “Maybe he just hasn’t found the right man yet.”
    “I could be his right woman,” Trish volunteered. “And I’d damn sure sign up to be
     his personal assistant. You’re such a lucky bitch, Mia.”
    “I’d be happy to take on Jace,” Chessy said. “I’d work overtime for that man.”
    Mia covered her ears and groaned even louder. “Stop. You’re scarring me. I don’t want
     images of you and Jace. He’s my brother! That’s gross, Chessy. Just gross!”
    “I think we should go out and celebrate,” Caroline announced.
    Mia shot her a startled glance. Chessy and the others wore interested looks as they
     waited for more.
    “We should go clubbing,” Caroline said. “If Mia’s going to be tied to a nine-to-five
     job, her late nights with us are over. At least during the week. I know the bouncer
     at Vibe, and he’s promised me he’d get me and my girls in if I come by.”
    “Damn, I have to be to work early,” Trish said, her lips turned downward in a frown.
    “Oh, live a little,” Chessy urged. “It’s not like you can’t do your job in your sleep.
     Besides, you can catch up on your rest after worktomorrow. Tonight we’ll go have some fun. It’s been way too long since we got to hang
     together.”
    Trish looked indecisive, and then she finally nodded. “Okay, I’m in.”
    “Mia?” Caroline asked.
    All eyes turned to Mia, looking at her in anticipation. The truth was, Mia wanted
     to sequester herself and have time alone to process the day. Gabe. Everything. But
     she loved her friends, and in her gut she knew her time would likely be limited with
     them from now on, at least until it was over between her and Gabe.
    “I’m in,” Mia said with a smile. “I need to go change, though. I have office clothes
     on. If we’re going out, I don’t want to look like a secretary.”
    “Rock on,” Chessy crowed.
    “Wait a minute. I’m not dressed for the club either!” Trish exclaimed. “I need to
     run home if we’re doing this.”
    “Yeah, me too,” Gina agreed.
    Caroline held her hands up. “Okay, here’s the deal. We do a hurry-up on the prep and
     we meet outside the club in an hour and a half. Deal?”
    The others were already scrambling off the couch and heading for Mia’s front door.
     They waved and called back good-byes, and then they were gone.
    Mia started to get up to go into her bedroom to change when Caroline stopped her.
    “Everything okay with you, Mia? You seem…quiet. Or at least different.”
    Mia smiled. “I’m fine, Caro. A little tired. It’s been a strange day.”
    “Would you rather not go?” Caroline asked anxiously. “I can call and cancel with the
     girls.”
    Mia shook her head.