Free Making the Cut by Anne Malcom Page B

“She’s Cades go to, well used to be.” She added quickly. The women had not missed the stares Cade had been directing at me all night. I swallowed and surveyed the girl more closely. It was hard to see with the night growing darker and faint lanterns putting the yard in a soft glow. She had short, layered hair, eyes rimmed with black eyeliner, big silver hoops in her ears, a short jean skirt and tight muscle top on. The ‘biker whore’ look was finished with motorcycle boots. This opinion did not come from the fact I may have been a bit jealous. Which was ridiculous.
    I caught Cade’s stare and rolled my eyes, glaring at him. The bastard just smirked at me! Right time to go. I scanned around for Amy, who was currently dancing with Rosie.
    “Well I guess I better go, got a big day tomorrow, it was so nice to meet you and I will see you at the opening right?” I said to Ashley while I stood.
    She jumped up and gave me a big old hug, I return it surprised at the display.
    She held me at arms length. “It was so awesome to meet you Gwen, you and Amy are the fucking shit!” I laughed. “And there is no way I’m missing your opening.” She continued.
    “Glad to hear.” I replied. “And remember to come early” I winked at her over my shoulder as I walked away.
    I approach Rosie and Amy. “Right lady” I smacked Amy’s behind, which resulted in a few whistles. “I’m going to head home, you want to come or stay a bit longer?”
    Rosie jumped in my face. “Don’t leave Gwen!! We are doing tequila shots!” She exclaimed, sounding a little hammered.
    “As much as I love tequila shots, and trust me I do, I have to rain check this time, got to get the store ready for Wednesday.” I explained sadly. “But next time?”
    Rosie grinned drunkenly. “You got it! Girls night!!”
    “Sounds like a plan, thank you for such and awesome time, and for inviting us.” I continued, genuinely glad I came, despite the male drama.
    “No problem, you girls are the shit.” Rosie yelled, mimicking Ashley’s statement.
    “Yes we are!” Amy chimed in, slurring her words slightly. “But alas, I will also have to decline on the tequila, as I don’t want the boss to think I’m hung over tomorrow.” She winked at me, then gave Rosie a big old smacker on the lips, earning a lot more whistles than my butt slap. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and we began to wade through people, saying our goodbyes along the way. I caught a glimpse of Cade who had his eyebrows narrowed and was striding purposefully towards us.
    “Oh shit.” I muttered under my breath, I so didn’t want to deal with macho man bullshit right now, I wanted to go home, take a bath and get ready for my opening.
    Just before he reached me his phone went off, he glanced down at the display and scowled. I watched him answer the call, bark a few responses back and then end it. He then made some kind of signal, which made all the men wearing cuts, stand up and walk towards their bikes. Cade turned back and gave me a meaningful glare before hopping on his bike and roaring off.
    “That was weird.” Amy proclaimed drunkenly.
    “Yeah, it was.” I muttered, almost to myself.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
    I gazed around my store, smiling to myself delighted at the finished product, and amazed at what Amy and I had managed to get done. It was perfect, everything I had imagined it would be. The walls were pure white, white floors as well. As you walked in there was a freestanding mock brick wall running down a part of the store, with a rack attached, giving it a rustic look to juxtapose the stark white. To the right of the wall was a table of brightly colored sweaters and a shelf from ceiling to floor full of different colored accessories, printed wallpaper behind the shelf.  The wall to the left of the free standing brick wall was free of racks but had a huge canvas with an aerial view of New York took up the wall.