Free Katwalk by Maria Murnane Page B

She was too insecure to even imagine being a bitch.
    “I see it a lot with bankers in particular. Once they turn thirty, they all feel the need to find some trophy wife, usually from a wealthy family, and almost always with a mean streak. It’s like they need to prove something to the world.”
    “What are they proving?”
    “What else? That they’re men .”
    “Oh.” Despite her momentary surge in confidence, Katrina felt her naïveté bubbling to the surface again. She had no idea how marrying an ice queen could prove someone’s manliness.
    “Sometimes it works out, but from what I’ve seen, usually it’s downhill after the fancy wedding, because how can you top that whole princess-for-a-day thing? It’s hardly my problem though, so I don’t let it bother me.”
    Reid returned with a grin and poked his head back into the conversation. “You don’t let what bother you?”
    Brittany waved a hand in front of her. “All the unwanted attention I get from men who don’t interest me sexually, present company included.”
    “Ouch.” Reid pretended to stab himself in the heart.
    Katrina blushed. Brittany was too much.
    Reid stood up straight and smoothed his hands down the front of his shirt. “Okay, I’m recovered from the heart stabbing. You ladies ready for another round?”
    “ I’d love a glass of water, actually,” Katrina said. She was only about two sips into her second margarita but already knew she wouldn’t be able to drink it without getting a little tipsy. Actually, who was she kidding? She was already a little tipsy, and if she drank another margarita, she would be full-on drunk . She didn’t want Brittany and Reid to see what a lightweight she was, even if she was new in town.
    Brittany stood up and reached for her purse. “I’m going to visit the little girls’ room. I don’t need another drink, but Reid, would you be a love and watch my seat?” She pointed to her stool before disappearing into the crowd.
    “Don’t mind if I do.” Reid ordered a glass of water for Katrina and another margarita for himself, then took a seat on the empty stool. Katrina detected the lingering odor of cigarette smoke, as well as a slight five o’clock shadow on his face.
    “When did you roll into town?” His chocolate eyes were warm and curious, and Katrina’s nerves began to jump again.
    The bartender set down their drinks, and Katrina picked up her water right away and took a sip, grateful for an excuse to avert her eyes. “Yesterday,” she said into the glass.
    “Just yesterday? For real? Then that calls for a welcome shot.” He flagged down the bartender again. Kevin was clearly less than thrilled at the addition of a man to the equation, but he maintained a professional demeanor and came back to take Reid’s order.
    Katrina hoped Reid couldn’t see the fear in her eyes. “Did you just say shot ?”
    Reid smiled. “Of course. It’s not every day you move to New York, especially for the sole purpose of having an adventure. It’s time to celebrate!”
    Before Katrina could object, he ordered three tequila shots from Kevin, who nodded politely but didn’t smile as he poured the drinks.
    Katrina tensed and looked around the room, hoping Brittany would return soon. As she inspected the crowd, she wished she didn’t feel so uncomfortable. So Reid wanted to buy her a celebratory shot. What was the big deal? She knew this was just his way of being friendly—and she wanted to preserve the budding rapport she had with the few people she knew in the city. But she blanched at the prospect of more tequila going down her throat.
    The truth was, sh e’d never done a shot before.
    Ever.
    Even in college.
    Though sh e’d graduated with a stellar academic record and an impressive résumé dotted with awards, she hadn’t experienced many of the rites of passage typically associated with being a college student—at least the social ones.
    Sh e’d never dared try anything just for the sake of . . .