Free Baby It's Cold Outside by Addison Fox Page B

Grier did as well. So they both lifted their glasses toward Avery and smiled.
    “So are you going to keep us in suspense, especially seeing as how I bribed you with this amazing stash?” Avery stared over the rim of her wineglass, whatever sadness that had lingered firmly extinguished in the light of a good gossip session.
    “You can’t possibly want to know the details.”
    “Oh, yes we do.”
    On a long-suffering sigh, Sloan leaned in to tell her story. “It was probably the most amazing kiss I’ve ever had.”
    “Hot?” Grier probed.
    “Sexy?” Avery added.
    “Passionate? Oh, and masterful?”
    “Masterful?” Sloan couldn’t help but giggle at Grier’s adjective. “What have you been reading lately?”
    “You probably don’t want to know. So let’s just say I’ve been in the middle of Alaska for the last month, freezing my ass off during the long winter nights. What do you think I’m reading?”
    Sloan waved a hand. “Say no more.”
    “And I say ‘masterful’ is the right word since you walked in here with a dazed expression on your face and a light blush that can be put there only by someone as supremely masterful as Walker Montgomery.”
    “Actually, I think you had it right before. What was the word? Fuckalicious?” Sloan asked.
    Avery lifted her glass and Grier quickly followed. “Sometimes it’s the only word that fits.” Avery shrugged.
    It was Grier, though, who added the toast. “Amen to that.”
     
    For about the nine millionth time since her freshman year of high school, Jessica McFarland wondered why she hung around with Trina Detweiler.
    “Buying off the town. As if.” Trina led their merry little parade down Main Street, with her faithful cohort, Sherry, close on her heels. Kate hung back slightly. Even if there wasn’t a physical distance between them, it was clear Kate was a million miles away.
    “I don’t feel bought off,” Jess said reflectively as she brought up the rear. “I just feel buzzed.” She watched as various townsfolk walked down the streets. Avery had kept a close eye on the ones she knew had to drive and cut them off early or enforced designated driver rules. For those who lived within walking distance, the taps had flowed freely.
    “Is that Mr. Rivington peeing against the side of the gas station?” Sherry pointed.
    “That should be illegal, pulling that shriveled old thing out in public.” Trina—ever the soul of logic and kindness—quickly chimed in.
    “He’s old, Trina. He obviously just has to go.” Jessica wasn’t sure why she was defending the guy, especially seeing as how he was technically committing a crime, but something about Trina’s attitude just set her teeth on edge.
    “It’s gross.”
    Unable to let it lie, Jessica pushed back. “Oh, and you vomiting in Mrs. Riley’s rosebushes this past summer after Louise Kent’s bachelorette party was the height of class.”
    “I’m not dignifying that with an answer,” Trina tsk ed over her shoulder. “However, I do think we need to have a discussion about your loyalty, Jess. Why’d you drink her drinks?”
    “It was me and the rest of the town, in case you missed it. And it was free booze, Trina.” Although she didn’t want to come off as cheap—and she knew she made a solid living compared to much of the rest of the town—it was damn nice to be treated for the evening. “And besides, if you had that big a problem with the whole thing, why’d you even go? Just so you could rub in the fact you bought your own?”
    “It was a strategic choice. Hello, as a lawyer I’d have thought you knew the difference.” Trina let out another huff before whirling around and coming to a dead stop in the middle of the street. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”
    “It’s not about sides, Trina.”
    “Actually, it is. Here Kate is in her time of need and all you can do is side with her sister. It’s hardly fair and it is taking sides.”
    “I’m legally representing her against the