Free Chloe and Rafe by Moxie North Page A

walked.
    Nikki had opted for a knee length black skirt that on her instantly became a mid-thigh model once it had made it over her rear. She topped that off with a black capped sleeve top with hot pink criss-cross ribbon on the front designed to look like corset stays. Nikki kept to her usual low heel sandals, she said that she was tall enough and didn’t need to be cutting her chances more by towering over the guys.
    Chloe looked down to the end of the counter and there was Isabella, or Izzy to her friends. Izzy was the quiet friend. The one that was happy staying home and reading her favorite romance novels.  She was also the friend that needed to get out and mingle more than anyone. Izzy was 5’4 and hovered around a size 22. She was round, her face was round, her belly was round, and she was soft all over.
    With her long blond hair, currently curled and teased she had the look of an over-inflated cherub.  Izzy was that girl who had ivory skin all winter then soon as the sun came out was a golden tan. With her cornflower blue eyes and white blond hair she was angelic looking. She was also dreadfully shy and no matter how much encouragement Chloe and Nikki gave her, she had the lowest self-esteem of them all.
    But tonight they were going out, they were having fun and if the universe was kind they might actually meet someone.  Chloe had gotten talked into buying 3 tickets to a charity event for the local firefighters calendar.  The stunningly handsome man that strolled into the office where she worked as a receptionist had her nodding and agreeing without really knowing much about the event.
    She could tell you however, that the heavily muscled man, standing in uniform flashing his pearly whites at her, was hot enough to make her burn her own apartment down just for another visit.  What she did finally realize, after handing over her credit card number to a virtual stranger, was the local fire district had made a calendar and the proceeds were going to charity. The local pediatric burn unit to be precise, and the men of the calendar were dancing tonight in a hot bod contest, judged by more locals. Actually, they were local business owners that had really bad TV commercials. But it was for a good cause and spending the night drooling over the man candy sounded fun to her and the girls agreed.
    “Ready to ogle the fine men of Dept 17 ladies?” Chloe asked.
    “Let’s hit it,” Nikki said, tossing her lipstick into her cute sliver clutch.
    “Can’t we just stay home?” Izzy whined.
    “No.” Both Chloe and Nikki said in unison.
    “We are having fun whether you like it or not Izzy,” Chloe snapped.
    It really was for her own good.  She would never go out and mingle without them.
    “Come on ladies, let’s hit some shots before the taxi gets here,” Chloe said, walking down the hall to the kitchen.
    Planning ahead she had the glasses lined up on the counter and the lemon drops mixed in a shaker. Pouring a round she handed one off to Nikki who was strutting her stuff from the bathroom. Handing the next glass to the glum looking Izzy, who luckily after a few drinks became the perky, funny girl that she kept hidden inside.
    “To an awesome night, and fingers and toes crossed that one of us meets someone we won’t be embarrassed to wake up next to tomorrow!” Chloe said raising her own shot glass in the air.
    “Charming,” Nikki smirked
    Izzy just slammed the drink back with no comment and pushed the empty towards Chloe for a refill.  Another round and the ladies were ready to enjoy some eye candy.

Chapter 2
     
    The taxi pulled up at Bunkers, the local hangout for the firefighters, EMT’s and paramedics in the area. Tossing the driver the fare with a nice tip, Chloe climbed out of the car first and pulled her ID out of her purse waiting for the girls to catch up. There was a short line at the door but it seemed like they got there early enough to avoid any hassle getting in.
    Walking into the crowded bar,