“What the hell was that?” Chase looked around. “Are people setting off fireworks? It’s <b>not </b>even the Fourth of July!”
“Whoosh–BANG!” The sound was louder this time, and the trunk of Chase’s Bentley visibly shuddered.
Ryan stepped back quickly, his hand instinctively moving toward his waist. Zach, who had finally emerged from the passenger seat, also retreated, his previously bored expression suddenly alert.
“Fireworks aren’t allowed in the city limits,” Chaseined, oblivious to the danger. “Some people have no-”
The realization hit him mid–sentence. “Oh shit. The trunk!”
He lunged for the trunk release button on his key fob. The moment the lid popped open, a fountain of multicolored sparks erupted, shooting in all directions.
“FUCK!” Chase screamed, jumping back as a rocket whizzed past his ear. “The fireworks I bought for New Year’s<b>!</b><b>” </b>
The trunk had be aunching pad for dozens of fireworks, all igniting in sequence. Chase danced around wildly, trying to dodge the colorful projectiles while Aurelia stood frozen in shock, her mouth hanging open.
“Wow…” she breathed as a particrly impressive burst of gold and blue exploded overhead.
Ryan and Zach had taken cover behind Aurelia’s BMW, watching the chaos with varying degrees of disbelief.
Pedestrians stopped to stare and record the impromptu fireworks disy. Cars honked as drivers slowed to gawk at the spectacle of a frantic Chase Astor leaping and spinning to avoid being hit by his own fireworks in the middle of Princeton’s busiest street.
Forty minutester, Jade sat at a private table in The Velvet Lounge, checking her watch for the third time. She’d expected Chase to arrive with Ryan and Zach at least twenty minutes ago.
The hostess approached her table. “Ms. Morgan? There are… three gentlemen here for you. Should I send them in?”
‘Yes, please,‘ Jade replied.
Nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her next. Chase, Ryan, and Zach stumbled into the private dining room looking like they’d crawled through a war zone. Their clothes were singed and covered in soot, their <b>faces </b>smudged with ck powder, and Chase’s perfectly styled hair was sticking up in all directions, partially
melted on one side.
The hostess hovered uncertainly at <b>the </b>door. “Are you… sure these are your guests, Ms. Morgan<b>?</b><b>” </b>
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Jade couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. “Unfortunately, yes.”
<b>“</b>What the hell happened to you three?” she asked as the hostess reluctantly departed.
“Your friend,” Zach finally spoke, shooting Chase a venomous re, “is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Chase grinned, his white teeth standing outically against his ckened face. “The fireworks in my trunk exploded.”
“Fireworks,” Jade repeated tly.
“For New Year’s!” Chase eximed. “But then Aurelia rear–ended us, and they just… went off<b>.</b><b>” </b>
The three men excused themselves to clean up in the restroom. When they returned, looking marginally more presentable, Jade nodded toward Zach.
“Zachie, long time no see,” she said casually.
Zach opened his mouth as if to respond, then closed it again, looking ufortable as he settled into his chair.
“Thanks for sending the cavalry, Boss,” Ryan said with a slight smile, taking the seat beside Zach.
Chase froze halfway into his chair. “Boss? Did you just call her ‘Boss“?”
He looked between Jade and Ryan, his eyes widening. “Are you in Chris’s gang now? Or were you not actually on vacation with Ethan but recruiting minions instead?” He leaned forward excitedly. “Are you taking applications? What are the requirements? Is there a membership fee?”
Jade shook her head. “Your imagination is really something.”
‘Is that apliment?” Chase asked hopefully.
“Obviously not,” Zach muttered, the secondplete sentence he’d spoken since arriving.
Chase whipped around to face him. “So you can talk! Why were you ignoring me in the car when I was trying to be friendly?<i>” </i>
Zach <b>gave </b>him a withering look and turned his attention to the menu.