Free Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) by JA Hensley Page A

the walk of shame from Jude’s room. Her clothes are rumpled, her hair is sticking up all over the place, and she has her shoes in her hand. I recognize it because I’ve done the same exit more times than I care to remember. We end up walking together to the elevator.
    I step onto the elevator with this skank and I can’t help myself; I have to say something.
    “Enjoying Las Vegas?” I put on my sweetest, ‘I know what you did’ face.
    She looks up briefly but doesn’t make eye contact. “I guess.”
    “I bet last night was fun. There are so many people to do here.”
    Her head shoots up and she glares, “What’s that supposed to mean?” she spits hatefully.
    “Nothing at all,” I shrug one shoulder. “I’m just well versed in the morning after slink, and you look like it’s new to you. A little hint, don’t stay the whole night. It makes you look a lot less desperate.”
    Her jaw drops, but before she can reply, the elevator doors open to the lobby.
    “Have a nice day,” I call over my shoulder. It really shouldn’t be that easy.
    Once I’ve secured caffeine for all of us, I go directly back to my room. Thankfully, the elevator and hallway are deserted this time, so I don’t have any more reasons to feel like a raging, jealous bitch. What is that, anyway? He’s so not worth my time.
    “Becca, I’ve got liquid gold,” I call as I enter the room.
    “Be right out,” she calls from the shower at the same time there’s a knock at the door.
    Stephanie is there looking like a very satisfied woman. “Good morning,” she says cheerfully. I want to slap her. “Do I smell coffee?”
    “You do, come in. I got yours plain because I can never remember what you like.”
    “That works for me. I bet sharing a room last night put a damper on getting laid, huh?”
    “What are you talking about? I didn’t plan on having sex last night.”
    “That’s bullshit and you know it. I saw the way you were looking at Sven when he was shaking his g-string in your face. Plus, you forget, I know you quite well,” she says with a wink.
    I can’t deny that Chippendales was a wonderful time. Those guys were shredded, and I’m sure Sven would’ve been a fun ride.
    “This is about Becca, not me. I’m going to behave for her.”
    “Good for you. I can imagine how difficult it’s been so far.” She’s such a bitch sometimes.
    “Fuck you. She’s my friend, and I’ll do what I can to make sure she’s happy. You’ve got automatic sex that you don’t have to apologize for, so shut up.”
    Stephanie laughs as she shakes her head. “Whatever you say, friend. I want you to be happy too, you know.”
    “Who’s not happy?” Becca asks as she comes out of the bathroom brushing her long brown hair.
    “Nobody. We’ve got to get going if we’re going to make our massage appointment. Think you can take your caffeine to go?”
    “Sure, I can. Let’s go get pampered!”
    Three hours, a mani-pedi, mud bath, and full-body massage later, I’m floating on a cloud of relaxed bliss. It’s been an amazing time and just what I needed to forget about Jude and his man-whoring ways.
    The hotel provided a light lunch for us, and now we’re in the dressing room getting Becca in her dress.
    “It’s really happening, isn’t it?” she asks nervously.
    “Yes, sweetie,” Steph answers as she arranges the veil. “You’ve found the man of your dreams and today you make him yours forever.”
    I smile as I finish lacing up the corset. “He’s perfect for you, Becca. You deserve all the happiness in the world. But if he ever fucks up, you know I’ll kick his ass.”
    “Oh, don’t I know it. I doubt we have anything to worry about, though. He’s more than I ever imagined I would have.”
    If only we could all be so lucky, I think to myself. I would never admit out loud that what I really want is what my friends have. It’s easier to just keep pretending like I’m happy being single.
    There’s a knock on the door and the