Free Running Back to You (The Running Series, #1) by Suzanne Sweeney Page B

spending more time with Evan.
    “We have to celebrate.  I’m going to Derek’s tonight.  Why don’t you join
me?  He’s having a party.  It’s just a small group of us.  You’ll know almost
everyone.  I know Derek would love for you to come over.  We’ll have so much
fun.  Please?”  It sounds like fun.  I haven’t really been out much since I’ve
gotten home.  Dinner and the mall don’t really count.  If I say no, that means
I’ll be sitting home thinking about Evan.  I will not become that girl.  The
one that sits home waiting for some man to call.
    “I’m in.  Will I have time to go home and shower after work?”  Working
behind a bar means that by the end of my shift, I’m a dirty, sticky mess.
    “Absolutely.  You have one hour.  I’ll pick you up.  Want to bring your
roommate?  Everyone’s really cool.  He’ll have a blast.”  Emmy hasn’t met
Auggie yet and I think they really would get along well. 
    “I’ll ask him.  He usually has plans, but you never know.”  I pull out my
phone and send Auggie a quick text inviting him to Derek’s place.  Just as I
thought, he has plans.  Now, I’m even more pleased to be going out tonight. 
Otherwise, I would be all alone with nothing to do.
    The rest of the shift goes by uneventfully.  A steady stream of customers
make the time fly by and before too long, it’s time to hang up my apron and
head home. 
    I barely have enough time to shower, feed the dog, and get myself ready. 
I throw on a pair of skinny jeans and a white lace tank, and dry my hair
quickly letting it flow naturally over my shoulders.  Now, without much fuss,
I’m good to go.  Just as promised, in exactly one hour Emmy arrives at my door
and ushers me to her car. 
    Derek and his friends are renting a house not too far from me, just over
the bridge, and in no time, we’re there.  We make our way to the backyard,
following the sound of the music vibrating through the air. 
    “Emmy!” an unfamiliar voice calls out from the patio where I quickly spot
Marcus sitting beside someone I presume is his fiancée, Camilla.  Marcus makes
quick introductions, and I immediately like Camilla.  She’s shorter than me by
several inches, but her killer heels readily make up for the difference.  She
extends her hand to shake mine, and I immediately notice the rock on her
finger.  It’s a beautiful diamond engagement ring that overpowers her delicate,
small hand. 
    “What a beautiful engagement ring, Camilla.  When’s the big day?”  She
turns to Marcus and looks adoringly in his eyes. 
    “In the fall.  September.  We booked the Manasquan River Golf Club for
the reception.  I’ve just started booking the photographer and florist.  We
haven’t found anyone to do the desserts yet, Jette.  Marcus thought maybe we
should talk to you before we make any decisions.”
    Wow.  Could this be my first catering gig?  “Oh, Camilla, I’d love to
talk to you about your wedding.  I did some work in Colorado at a wedding cake
purveyor and I gathered some great ideas we could talk about.”  We exchange
phone numbers and I may have just booked my first client.  This day just keeps
getting better and better!
    I excuse myself and find Derek at the patio bar mixing some drinks. 
“Hey, Jette.  I’m so glad you were able make it.  What can I get you to drink? 
Would you like an Orgasm?  It’s my specialty.”  He doubles over in laughter.  He
cracks himself up!
    “Make it a Screaming Orgasm, and I’ll take it.”  Working at a bar on the
boardwalk has taught me the names of some very kinky cocktail names: the Sexy
Alligator, Naughty School Girl, a Wet Spot, and my favorite, the Dirty
Butthole.  Honestly, who thinks this shit up? 
    Derek fixes us a couple of drinks and leads me over to the fire pit. 
Emmy, Marcus, Camilla, and his roommate Grant are roasting marshmallows on
sticks.  I’ve never noticed before, but there’s something about Derek