Girls' Night Out by Lauren Dane Page B

Shane thumping Matt in annoyance.
    All was right with the world. Kyle grinned as he drove toward the Tonk.

Chapter Two
    Beth knocked on Lily’s door and nearly got mowed down by Nathan, William and Joe as they made their way out of the house.
    Joe stopped with a smile on his face. One just for her and she gave him one back. “Hey lookit that. It’s Joe Harris, the man I love.”
    “It is indeed. Sorry I missed you this morning.”
    She’d slept over at his place but he’d had to be awake way earlier and off to work. He’d gotten up so quietly it hadn’t even woken her. Even Buck, his— their— dog had been quiet and let her sleep.
    “You could have woken me up, you know. I’d even have made you breakfast.” And jumped his bones.
    He gave her a hug, stealing a kiss as her brothers groaned. “Hush up, you two.” Joe gave Nathan and William a look before turning back to Beth. “You looked so sweet there, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
    “Also, you were quiet so he probably was in shock.”
    She looked around Joe to William, Joe’s best friend and her older brother. “Ha.” Then back to Joe. “You, on the other hand, are totally going to reap the benefits of that compliment later on tonight when we get home.”
    “Behave yourself now.” Joe raised his brow.
    “Us? You guys are going to be in a bar, for goodness’ sake! We’ll be in the back room at the Pumphouse.”
    “You and your sisters are capable of getting into trouble anytime, anywhere.”
    She may have snickered. “Says you. Who probably had a chair named after him in the principal’s office.”
    He grinned. “I’ll never tell. I’ve tamed my wild ways. All for you.”
    “You’re totally going to hell for lying.” Nathan poked Joe who winced and socked him back.
    “Okay, boys, enough with the pokey, punchy. I need him in one piece and I’m sure Lily would also appreciate Nathan not being bruised up. Which he will be if he lets any of those big-haired, mammoth-hootered hoochies anywhere near your table. I’m just saying.” She fluttered her lashes.
    Joe laughed and kissed her one more time. “I’ll do my best to avoid any of those.”
    “You’d better, or I’m going to let Buck eat SpaghettiOs and then sleep on your side of the bed.”
    “You’re diabolical. He loves that stuff too.” He got closer. “You sure you don’t want to ditch this stuff and spend some time at home?”
    “You’re a temptation. But I have penis hats. Penis hats, Joe. Where would I use them if it wasn’t for a bachelorette party? I bet you’d be stingy and not let me wear one out to dinner. Heaven knows Nathan is too prissy to let me wear one to the wedding.”
    “God, I’m glad she’s your problem now.” William ushered Nathan and Joe down the walk. “He loves you. You love him. Kiss kiss. Now go on and stay out of trouble.”
    She waved, laughing, and headed into Lily’s.
    “Hey, ugly, you ready to go eat too much and try to avoid birth stories?”
    Lily stood with her brother Chris in the living room. He blushed. “Birth stories?”
    “Dude, you don’t even want to know. I don’t even want to know, but something happens to women when they get around each other and they’re mothers. It’s like giving birth twists them and they’ve got PTSD and they have to share the most horrible stuff. Leaking. Bursting. Tearing. ”
    “Gross!”
    Laughing, Lily tossed a pillow at Beth’s head. “Stop that. You’re going to scar him.”
    “Why should I be alone? Amirite, Christopher? Sharing is loving. You coming with us tonight?”
    The look of horror on his face made her laugh anew. “No! I’m spending the night at a friend’s house.”
    There was a honk outside. He went to look and came back, grabbing his bag. “It’s Jesse’s mom.”
    “I’ll be right back.” Lily went out with her brother.
    She pulled her phone out and dialed one of her sisters. “You get the cake?”
    Anne gave orders in the background and then turned her