“No touching my brother!”
This was an ongoing joke between us. Cassie loved telling me how hot my older brother was. She adored him, and he mostly treated her like his little sister, but every once in a while, she could get him to play along and tease me about the two of them hooking up.
The mere idea of them together had me cringing. They’d be like oil and water. Both were far too opinionated and outspoken. If they got together, my life would implode from their bickering.
Grabbing my silver-studded clutch, I walked out into the kitchen and got my purse in order. Phone, wallet, lipstick, and keys—that’s all I’d need for the night. When it came to New York, you learned quickly that the less crap you had to carry around, the better.
Cass came strutting out a few minutes later, legs on full display beneath a form-fitting gray dress and black stilettos. She did a little twirl, grinning at me. “How do I look?”
“Tell me you have underwear on underneath that.”
“Of course I do.” She feigned offense. “I have a thong on, Georgie.”
“Go back in there—” I pointed toward the hall “—and put on another pair. Something that covers your entire ass. When you’re around my brother and dressed like that, you’d best be double bagging that shit.”
She laughed.
“I’m serious!”
“I know you are. I’m serious too. I’m real serious about getting Will naked. I guarantee his body is—”
“All right, that’s enough.” I held up my hand. “You made your point. Are we even?”
She nodded, visibly proud of herself for one-upping me. “Yes, I will forget about the Tatum incident.”
“Good.” I grabbed my clutch and headed for the door. “Eugene would be proud of you.”
She groaned behind me. “You’re an asshole.”
“Let’s go get drinks!” I shouted, fist pumping my clutch in the air.
Cass and I caught the train and made it to Barcelona in record time. We hung out for an hour, chatting and laughing and dancing for a few songs to the house band. We were one flaming Harry Potter shot and a beer deep by the time we left to meet the guys.
The Raines Law Room was located in Chelsea, fairly close to my apartment. I had a feeling Kline had had that fact in mind when he’d given in to Will’s demands, always trying to make things easy and convenient for me. I’d heard all kinds of cool things about the speakeasy bar, but it was my first time making an appearance.
Hesitantly, I rang the doorbell outside of the discreetly marked door.
“I feel like we’re going into a top secret sex club,” Cass whispered even though no one was around us. “Shit, now my hopes are up. I’m going to be so disappointed if we’re at the right place.”
I gaped at her. “Of all the places your mind could go, you’re sticking with sex club?”
She shrugged. “I’ve never been to one.”
“I’m pretty sure most people have never been to one.”
“Guess we need to add it to our bucket list, Georgie.”
“No,” I responded through a quiet laugh. “That’s not going on my bucket list.”
“Speak for yourself.”
The door was opened and an attractive guy dressed in a vest and tie answered.
I gave him Kline’s name and, just like that, access granted.
In an instant, we were surrounded by silky music, velvety curtains, plush sofas, and dimmed lights. I felt like I had been transported back into the 1920s. Any second a girl in a flapper dress with a glass of gin was going to stroll past me.
Will had already spotted us, walking toward the entrance.
“Well, hello, Cassie Phillips,” he greeted, a devilish grin on his face. He picked her up in a bear hug. The second her feet were off the ground, she squealed.
“Just so we’re clear, I’m hating both of you right now,” I teased, feigning annoyance.
He set Cass down and pulled me in for a tight squeeze. “Aw, don’t get mad, Gigi. You know I love you the most.”
“Why aren’t you with Kline?” I asked, scanning the room.
“I had to make a pit stop in the bathroom. He’s at the bar with one of his buddies.”
“Buddies?”
Will nodded. “Have you met Thatch?”
I shook my head, more than ready to meet the notorious Thatch. I’d heard enough stories to understand he was an infamous jokester and a ton of fun to hang out with, but Kline and I had yet to get around to hanging out with him.
“Well, follow me, ladies.” Will gestured toward the bar. “Your boyfriend’s been wondering where you were. I told him you guys probably stopped for shots and dancing at Barcelona before heading this way.”
“That sounds like nothing we would do,” Cass disagreed, hiding her smile.
“Uh-huh,” Will said, grinning. “I’m sure you didn’t get Harry Potter shots and request the house band to play Britney Spears either.”
I shook my head, biting my cheek. “Nope. Definitely didn’t do that.”