Page 72 of Rekindle My Heart

“Hey, Erica. Grab a shot,” Larson said.

The faint flush on Erica’s cheeks told him it wouldn’t be her first of the night. Ryan let his eyes roam from her unpainted toenails up long curvy calves to the flirty hem of her yellow dress that made him want to explore below.

She waved off the drink and slid to the chair next to Ryan.

Ryan brushed his thigh against hers. “Having a fun night?”

Erica didn’t look at him, just made an agreeable sound in the back of her throat. “It’s been fun. These ladies really can party.”

He didn’t doubt it.

“Oh yeah, we started at Gardiner’s for dinner.” Her sights fixed on something across the bar, Erica nodded.

“Is that open again?”

“Uh huh. They have the most amazing lasagna.” She groaned, and Ryan felt it all the way to his groin.

“Then after dinner and drinks, we went to a bar on Twelfth Street.” Her glossy eyes slowly blinked.

“Fire Hearth?”

“That’s it. There we had shots and a round of margaritas.”

A grin crept to his lips. He could picture her throwing back a tequila shot, then sucking on the lime. “Then did you come here?”

“Oh no. We went to a karaoke bar for a drink, and Kate and Mira dragged me up on the stage to sing backup for Lorna.”

“I didn’t know Lorna sang.”

“After all that alcohol she did.”

“And you?”

“Huh?” Her head whirled as she turned to look at him.

Ryan bit back a chuckle.

“Do you sing?” He couldn’t remember her ever singing.

“No.” She wobbled in her chair. “Maybe a little.”

A snort slipped out as Ryan placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

“What?”

“Singing.”

“Oh, that. The alcohol made me do it.”

Kate dropped in the chair next to Erica and picked up a beer. “This gal can sing with the best of them. Took a lot of liquid courage, but we got her up there.”

Ryan was surprised at how sober the other woman appeared. He leaned in and did a hand gesture of drinking, then pointed to her.

Kate lifted her beer. “I slowed way down after the first shot.”

Erica leaned a head on his shoulder and thumbed at Kate. “She’s lying.”

Kate’s shoulder rose. “What can I say? I can hold my liquor.” She turned to Brannon, who had just come back to the table. “Come on, big guy. Let’s dance.”