Love Collides (Fate's Love #3) by L.A. Cotton Read Free Book Online Page B

someone who believes you, man. First Ashton, and now you; Keefer’s next, and then I'm stuck with Morris as my wingman."
    Morris choked on his mouthful of beer, slamming a hand against his chest. "Fuck you, Ford."
    "How did it go with that cute blonde from the other night?" Keefer asked.
    I shrugged not wanting to reveal that she’d had a total breakdown on me, and instead of getting laid, I'd spent the night consoling her with bad coffee and forced hugs.
    "She didn't turn your ass down, did she?" Morris said, and when I didn't answer, a wide shit-eating grin spread across his face. "She did, didn't she? The infamous Kade Ford is losing his touch."
    I launched the coaster in his direction and raised my eyebrows when it landed square on his nose and bounced off. "Never going to happen."
    Before Morris could respond, the door to Planters opened and a group of rowdy girls sprawled in.
    "You've got to be shitting me!" Ashton chuckled under his breath as the five of us watched Livy, Hayley, Sharn, Staci, and a couple of other girls strut to the bar, dressed to kill and clearly already tipsy.
    I turned to Ethan and cocked my eyebrow. "Tell me you didn't tell them we'd be here."
    Holding his hands up, he replied, "I swear this isn't on me."
    I flicked my chin to Keefer and Ashton who just looked at me cluelessly.
    "So, why are they here?"
    "Looks like we're about to find out." Morris' eyes widened to saucers as the girls approached us clutching their vodka coolers and bright colored cocktails.
    My eyes were only interested in the tiny blonde stitched into a skintight, knee-length navy dress that scooped low on her tits. I straightened in my seat. Staci looked hot. No, more than that. She looked beautiful, to the point of my eyes only being able to see her.
    Ethan stood to greet his wife, and Livy beamed. "Hi, husband. We thought we'd come down here and surprise you. I hope it's okay?"
    Wrapping an arm around her and drawing her into him, Ethan said, "Of course, it's okay. You look amazing." He kissed his woman and an unfamiliar feeling spread through me. Shaking it off, I moved out of the booth to give the girls a seat and pulled over a couple of stools for me and Morris, who was still gawking, paying particular attention to the slim blonde with the pixie haircut.
    "You guys remember Grace, right? And this is her friend, Jenna."
    Jenna was hot. Exactly my type, and from the way she was looking at me, the feeling was mutual. But despite her obvious eye-fucking in my direction, my eyes were only interested in Staci, who had managed to seat herself right in the middle of the curved booth. If I didn't know better, she was trying to avoid me.
    I hadn't seen her since she turned up at the shop two days ago, but from her unusually quiet demeanor, I could tell she was uncomfortable. And if she was uncomfortable, it was because I had gotten under her skin. And that I could work with.
    "So, how are you finding Gainesville, Staci? Is it exotic enough for you?" Morris asked from beside me, laughing at his lame attempt at being funny.
    Staci forced a half-smile, looking across the table but keeping her eyes on Morris. "It's no Ecuador, but it's okay."
    "And how long do you think you'll be staying?"
    She shrugged and her dress bunched up revealing more of her perfect skin. Skin I wanted to taste again.
    "Depends on school. I'll be traveling back and forth, though. I don't like being tied down." Her eyes flickered to mine for just a second and then back to Morris.
    Was that what she thought? That just because I’d asked her out on one date that I wanted something serious? If she did, she had me all wrong. I wasn't looking for serious. Period. Serious led to messed-up. And I liked my life drama-free. But fun...fun, I could do.
    And looking over at the blonde in the navy dress, I could just imagine how much fun we could have. If she'd just give it a chance.
    Drinks flowed and we fell into comfortable conversation with the girls. Turned out they