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Aaron nodded, clearly impressed, his grin widening. “Killer.”
Oh boy.We all fell back into polite, tense smiles.
Annie picked up the small plastic menu nestled between the napkins and drink menu. “Anyone up for a snack?”
I looked over her shoulder to see if anything new had been added to the Grudge’s ever-evolving menu. My eyes lost focus every time she shifted and a waft of her hair caught in the air. “The fried pickle chips with spicy mayo are a must.”
Annie’s blue eyes rolled playfully. “Obviously.” I ordered them almost every time they rotated back onto the menu.
“No can do.” Aaron patted his stomach. “I have Hero WODs in the morning.”
I looked at Annie, whose confused expression matched my own.
“Nowthoseare killers. It’s a metcon day for me.” Renee flashed her smile toward Aaron, and her dimple deepened.
“Metcon?” Annie asked, her nose scrunching.
Renee lifted a shoulder. “It’s a CrossFit thing. Do you work out?”
I didn’t miss the subtle way Renee’s eyes raked down Annie’s lush curves.
“Hey, how do you know if someone’s into CrossFit?” All eyes turned my way. I could barely contain my shit-eating grin. “Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.”
Annie’s barking laugh sent pleasure dancing over my skin. Her curls bounced as she planted a hand over her chest and continued to giggle at my ridiculously weak joke.
The line down Aaron’s mammoth forehead deepened. “I don’t get it.”
His response sent Annie into another fit of snorting laughter. Renee leaned closer to Aaron, engaging him in a peppering of questions regarding his upcoming workout. I risked a glance at Annie, seeing that humor danced in her eyes, and I shot her a wink.
As a foursome, we had struggled through one round of drinks when Annie sighed and stood. “Are you about ready, Aaron? I’m beat.”
He glanced toward Renee and frowned. “Oh, sure. Yes.”
We all stood, Annie reached for her purse, and I gave her a bored look. “Don’t even try it.”
Aaron patted his chest and back pocket but made no move to actually pull out his wallet.
I held out a hand to stop him. “Don’t worry about it. This one’s on me.”
He smiled. “Thanks, bro.”
I quickly paid for the drinks, and we walked toward the exit. As the music and laughter from the Grudge spilled out into the night air, I paused on the sidewalk. Renee’s arm was hooked with Annie’s as they slowly walked up the sidewalk.
“Hey, bro. If you don’t think you’re into Renee, do you mind if I call her?”
I watched the women quietly chat as Aaron and I meandered behind them. My eyes stayed trained on their backs, though it was a battle to not lower my gaze to watch the way Annie’s ass moved beneath her tight jeans.
“No. Fine by me. But maybe wait a few days. Let Annie down gently, ya know?”
“Good. Great!” He cleared his throat to hide his obvious enthusiasm. “Of course.”
“This is me.” Renee stopped by her bright-red car and pulled her keys from her purse.
“My car is a few blocks up that way.” Aaron pointed in the opposite direction of where we had walked.
Annie glanced up at her upstairs apartment only a few storefronts down. “I’m close. I’ll let myself in.”
“Do you want a ride to your car?” Renee leaned over the driver’s door and smiled at Aaron.
