One Broke Girl Read Online Free PDF Page B

but there was no way I could afford it.
    “I’ll talk to him,” Bianca continued. “Just give it a chance. Doesn’t hurt to meet with him, does it?”
    “It might,” Natalie muttered.
    “And he’s not an idiot,” Bianca said in a huffy tone. “Natalie doesn’t like him because they don’t get along. But he’s good at his job.”
    The two girls glared at each other, and for some reason I just started laughing. They shot me startled looks.
    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. But I just… God, I missed you, Natalie. I forgot how bullheaded you are. And Bianca, you’re cracking me up. And I’m buzzed, too, so there’s that.” My head and limbs felt light; I swayed my hands in the air.
    They laughed in response, and the mood lightened.
    “We’ll talk about this serious shit later,” Bianca said. “But you do have options. For now, let’s go dance.”
    “I happen to agree with her on this one,” Natalie said as she tugged me off the stool. “Let’s shake our sexy asses. This song is one of my faves.”
    We wiggled through the groups of people and took a spot on the dance floor, hands thrust in the air. I gave in to the music, let go of my stress, fears, hurts. My arms and legs grew liquid, and we got our groove on. It felt so good to be around friends who knew my secrets but didn’t judge me. They just accepted and, without anything to gain, offered to help.
    As I did a little spin, I spied Gavin at the edge of the bar talking with a couple of guys. His dark hair was spiked on top, and his black dress shirt was slim-fit, accentuating his long limbs, and paired nicely with jeans and loafers.
    My core gave a tight squeeze in response to the sheer sexuality pouring off him, and I tore my gaze away. You have a boyfriend, I reminded myself. And even if I didn’t, he wouldn’t be my type of guy anyway.
    Okay, I’d found him attractive when I was ten. And okay, I found him attractive now. But that didn’t matter. I was here with my girlfriends tonight. This wasn’t a scoping-out-guys expedition.
    “Holy shit,” Bianca breathed into my ear. “Gavin’s staring at you like he wants to eat you alive.”
    That got my blood pumping even more, but I gave her a casual smile without looking at him to confirm. I was kinda disturbed by how much I wanted to though. “Huh. That’s interesting.”
    The grin she shot me was filled with knowing. “Yeah. It is. You should go say hi.”
    “I don’t need to say hi, and I don’t want to.” I raised my arms in the air with the rest of the crowd on the floor.
    “Are you afraid?” she challenged.
    I scoffed. “Afraid of what?”
    “Afraid that the attraction you feel for Gavin is stronger than what you feel for this rich dude you’re dating.”
    Shit. Nailed it in one. My cheeks flamed, and I dropped my arms. The truth I’d been trying to run from was thrust right in my face. I could blame my self-honesty right now on the alcohol buzz, but that wasn’t it. Gavin drew me closer, even as he aggravated me. Today at work I’d studiously avoided him while serving. He was a dangerous distraction, a temptation I couldn’t handle.
    I didn’t want to be that girl. One cheater in the family was enough.
    Bianca thrust a few bucks in my hand. “Can you get us water? Talk or don’t talk to him—I won’t push. But if he’s impacting you this much, you shouldn’t ignore that to stay with someone who doesn’t put a tingle in your vajingle.” With a knowing look, she shoved me off the floor.
    I could have turned around and told her no, but stubborn pride made me lift my chin and go to the bar. I was an adult. I was in complete control of myself. Just because Gavin seemed like he’d melt a woman into a pile of butter in bed didn’t mean I couldn’t be around him and fall under his spell. I was strong, independent.
    I nudged my way a few stools down from him and propped my elbows on the bar. The hottie older bartender came over and took my order.
    “Hey,