Free Love Unexpected (Navy Love Series Book 2) by JC Santo Page A

discussed. They won’t care about the age difference or the fact that he’s my sister’s friend. They won’t be against us because he doesn’t check off all of my boxes. They’ll simply be supportive.
    Once I left the baby shower, I decided that I have way too much going on in my personal life to worry about Reed and his irrational feelings. I just need one night to get sloshed off my ass, wallow in my pity, and then I’ll be ready to move on.
    What started off as a girls’ night in quickly changed. As soon as the girls learned I am a dancer, they fueled me with a few shots, made some minor makeup touch-ups, and rushed me to Eagle’s Nest. The only reason I agreed to going is because typically Reed doesn’t frequent this bar. Unless the group forces him to come for a get together. No get together—no Reed at Eagle’s Nest.
    I did manage to text Marsh and tell him to get his ass out here. He's supposed to be coming out soon.
    Dancing has always been a passion of mine; it’s my go-to stress reliever.
    Growing up, I loved dancing. I was always in some different class, but my favorite was ballet. I was on the dance team in high school and took dance classes up until I moved to Norfolk.
    I haven’t found a studio here yet, so the clubs are my only opportunity to practice, and even then, there’s only so much you can do in a bar without looking crazy. I have free time now that the wedding and baby shower are over, so I’ll have to start looking for one. And since Reed and I aren’t sneaking around anymore, that clears up even more of my free time.
    The moment we arrive in the busy club, I make a beeline for the packed dance floor but Ashley pulls me off track and to the bar. Because obviously more alcohol is needed tonight; we couldn’t even drive here. Luckily, I’ve discovered the convenience of Uber, a cab service, since moving here.
    We down two shots each then finally get on the crowded dance floor.
    Everyone is always surprised when I let loose dancing, and the girls are no different. While they struggle to learn the basic moves of a line dance, I’m working intricate choreography into the basic steps.
    I finally manage to pull myself out of Ashley’s grasp on the dance floor after the third or fourth consecutive song, and make a beeline for the bar for a much-needed drink. She and Grace both continue grinding against each other and shout out their drink orders for me.
    My fun-loving mood suddenly freezes when I’m stopped dead in my tracks, shocked at the sight in front of me. I’m utterly speechless for a few seconds when the bartender asks for my order.
    Posted up at the bar with a leggy bimbo on his lap sits Charlie-fucking-Reed.
    He looks sexy as hell in a charcoal-grey, thermal shirt and jeans. His sleeves are slightly pushed up, giving a glimpse of the colorful tattoos that grace those muscular, tan arms. His outfit is topped off with a beanie covering his short, dark hair. As I stare, my eyes can’t decide what part of him to focus on, the tightly-stretched material across his chest, the hint of noticeable tattoos on his arms, the way his full lips wrap around the mouth of the beer he’s drinking, or the way the skank he’s with is practically humping his leg.
    My mind races on what to do, and in a rash decision, I conclude that avoiding eye contact is the best possible option. I know Reed and I will eventually see each other with other people, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon after him kissing me at Tessa’s wedding. Or after he started shit with my sister about that kiss happening again.
    I won’t lie, part of me is a little hurt. How can he all but tell Tess and Hunter that our kiss will happen again, then he’s here with a random bed warmer?
    The insecure side of me immediately begins to think that I am the issue , not the situation. I was a conquest, and at the first sight of trouble, Reed was done bothering with me.
    Seems he’s found a new conquest.
    Whatever, who he screws is