A Bad Bit Nice by Josie Kerr Read Free Book Online Page A

deadpanned.
    “Oh my fucking God. You haven’t even been drinking yet!” Em laughed.
    As she pulled on Ashley’s arm to tell her that Mister Ideal was sitting at the bar, Em heard a familiar voice begin singing. Em turned her attention to the stage and her jaw dropped. Rory, her Irish boss, was singing “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and singing it well.
    “Hey, Ash, I know your Highlander. He’s not actually a Highlander, though. He’s Irish,” Em said into Ashley’s ear.
    “What?” Ashley’s squeaked.
    “Remember the good-looking boss that I said was totally your type? Well, THAT is the boss man,” Em said, gesturing toward the stage.
    “You greatly underestimated his appeal, Ermengarde Davidson. As soon as he gets off that stage, I demand an introduction!”
    “All right! I’ll introduce you! Sheesh! But more importantly, Ash, Mister Ideal is here!”
    Em nodded her head subtly toward the end of the bar where Mister Ideal was sitting. Ashley tried to nonchalantly look, but being Ashley, her attempt at subtlety failed miserably.
    Mick saw Ashley gawking at him and smirked. My God, that blonde is about as inconspicuous as a flashing neon sign. Wait, was that the real estate agent?
    Mick grinned at the realization that it actually was the flashy blonde real estate agent. He decided to introduce her to Rory, if only to distract him from his goal of finding Mick a hook-up.
    Mick looked back at Ashley while Rory wrapped up his song. His eyes slid down and over to see who was with the gregarious real estate agent, and his eyes widened.
    Standing next to Ashley was one of the prettiest women Mick had ever seen. She had dark chin-length hair and glasses, and was wearing an almost translucent blouse, the prim cut of which made it even sexier. Holy crap. M ick swallowed. She flashed a smile at Ashley —oh God, dimples —and glanced over at Mick. Their eyes locked momentarily and her smile broadened before she shyly ducked her head.
    Instead of turning around when she was caught looking, Ashley continued to look at Mick, blatantly staring now and shifting her gaze between Mick and Em. Then she noticed Rory walk up to Mick and clap him on the back.
    “Girl, I think the Hot Leprechaun is friends with Mister Ideal.”

Chapter 7     
    “Okay, boyo, who’s caught your attention? I haven’t seen that look on your face in years.”
    Upon Mick’s non-response, Rory followed Mick’s eyes to the end of the bar. His face split into a wide grin.
    “If it’s the chippie in the orange shirt with the luscious rack that’s got your attention, my boy, you’re in luck, because I know her. Come on, you’re not getting out of this pub without an introduction.”             
    Em turned to see Rory and Mister Ideal making their way across the pub. Rory was grinning and Mister Ideal no longer wore that heartbreaking smile, but instead looked vaguely nauseated.
    “Em, my lovely, fancy meeting you here,” Rory said, sidling up to them. “You don’t strike me as the karaoke type.”
    “I’m not,” Em laughed. She cut her eyes over to Mick and back to Rory.
    Mick moved his foot on top of Rory’s and stealthily applied his weight. Rory swiveled his head toward Mick, widening his eyes in “I’m getting there, man” look, and said, “Ermengarde Maude Davidson, I’d like you to meet Michael Ian Brennan.”
    “Call me Mick, please. The only person that calls me Michael is this idiot’s mother.” Mick hitched a thumb in Rory’s direction.
    Em beamed at Mick. “Call me Em. Pleased to meet you, Mick.” She turned to Rory. “Rory, Mick, this is Ashley.”
    Ashley did a little wave and looked appreciatively at Rory, who cocked an eyebrow back at her. The four of them stood in awkward silence until Rory clapped his hands together.
    “Do you duet?” Rory asked, looking at Ashley and cocking his head toward Mick and then Em.
    “Oh, I totally duet,” replied Ashley with a wink and complete