Chompin' at the Bit (Horse Play #2) by A.D. Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

he was able to help his patients much more effectively. He had concerns about Dane early on, and I was ashamed to admit I brushed him off, stating he was being ridiculous.
    Hindsight really is twenty-twenty.
    “Um, I don’t know. Maybe we could meet somewhere for dinner before we have to head home tomorrow night?” I suggested, really hoping that worked for them; I really wanted Brandon to like Jensen. He was the closest thing I had to a big brother, and he was always looking out for me like one.
    “Madi!” Willow cried ecstatically, walking out of the back room with two champagne flutes in her hand. Mimosas, most likely.
    “Hey, Will,” I said, wrapping her in my arms when she reached me and set down our drinks. “How’ve you been?”
    “We’re good! Business has been picking up this last week, and we’re very excited about it.” Willow grabbed our drinks, handing me one before looping her arm through mine and leading me back toward the stylists’ chairs. “Madison, this is Georgia. She’s from Italy and does amazing work.”
    Georgia stood next to her station and smiled at me. Her long chestnut hair was straight and pulled behind her shoulders and off her face. “I’m actually from New York, but I was living in Italy for the last couple years,” she said, correcting Willow.
    “Still from Italy, Georgia” Willow countered playfully, pushing me down into the chair.
    “So, what are we doing today? What are you wearing?” Georgia asked, running her fingers through my hair.
    “It’s a cobalt blue sheath dress,” Willow interjected before I could open my mouth. “It’s a low V in the back and a V-neckline.”
    “Sounds lovely. So, were you thinking something up and off your shoulders and back? Or did you want to leave it down?” Georgia asked, looking at me through the mirror.
    “Um, well, what if we pulled it off to the side … so it was off my back, but still down? Is that stupid?” I really had no idea what the hell I was talking about.
    Georgia smiled and shook her head. “Not at all. In fact, I’ve got just the style. Trust me.”
    I nodded, and Georgia turned me away from the mirror and toward Willow and Brandon as she started on my hair. “Sorry I was a little late this morning.”
    Willow shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. As soon as I answered the phone this morning, I knew what it was about. Jensen sounded pretty rough.” Willow laughed. “You two must have had a crazy night. Any details you’d care to share?”
    Brandon squirmed slightly in his chair, causing me to laugh. “Actually, no. It turns out I passed out trying to rid myself of the hiccups.” Willow exploded into a fit of giggles, and Brandon laughed pretty heartily as well. While I wanted to grumble and bitch them out, I couldn’t; the truth was it was pretty damn funny. “Yeah, awesome, right? Poor Jensen, though.”
    My phone started vibrating in my pocket just then. “Sorry, Georgia, my phone’s vibrating. Just give me a sec?” Georgia stopped styling my hair while I fished my phone out. As soon as I had it in my hands, she started working again.
    “It’s Jensen,” Willow announced to the room. “You can tell by that goofy-ass grin she gets. I witnessed it more times than I can count that weekend I stayed with them.”
    Hey. Just wanted to let you know
    I miss you. How’s it going?
    Smiling, I quickly tapped out a message in return. He missed me? That seemed … deeper than we’d agreed on.
    Just getting my hair tugged and
    pulled, but it should look amazing.
    Miss you, too.
    I set my phone on the station’s tabletop and turned back to Willow. “Sorry.”
    “No worries. So, Brandon said you wanted to do dinner tomorrow night? I think that would be fun! You guys should stop by the loft. We’ll order in.”
    I was just about to respond when my phone vibrated again. Before I could grab it, Willow snatched it up and clicked a few buttons, smiling like a Cheshire cat the entire time. Brandon looked