Lucky Number Four by Amanda Jason Page B

situation. I’ve never thought I needed therapy,
even with my crazy family, until now. Where the hell is my
self-confidence hiding? See, I must be nuts.
    “We’re going to a little place that has the
best drinks, music and—” Drew begins.
    “And some of the most mouth-watering tapas
you’ll ever have in your entire life,” Liam finishes, smacking his
lips.
    “Yeah, this is Liam’s favorite spot for
cheese sticks, chicken wings, and pizza bites. Watch how much this
Aussie puts away tonight. He’ll have to do double time in the gym
tomorrow,” Drew teases.
    “I have to start back on my exercise regimen
too,” I reply, thinking about how long it has been since I’ve gone
for a good long run.
    “Well, you have full use of the gym
downstairs. We’ve shown you that, haven’t we?” I see Drew’s
forehead lines deepen through the rearview mirror as he tries to
remember.
    “I don’t do gyms. I just run. In fact, I was
just thinking I haven’t run in a few weeks. Since I’m off tomorrow,
I think I’ll go for my mid-morning jaunt through the park across
the street.”
    Colin looks at me with concern. “I don’t
think that’s wise. Maybe you should use the treadmill.”
    “I don’t like machines, and it’s not like I’m
going to run at midnight. The park is safe, I’m sure.”
    “We’re here,” Drew announces as he pulls into
an empty spot in a brightly lit parking area.
    Colin helps me out of the car and takes my
arm, nestling it in his as we make our way to a building with a
large neon sign.
    “The Raven? Sounds intriguing.” I look at
Drew, who is walking to my left.
    “The owner is a big Edgar Allen Poe fan,” he
explains.
    “The owner has good taste. I love Poe,” I
respond.
    Seeing his wide smile, I realize it’s his
place. He opens the door and Colin and I follow Liam into a foyer
that looks like a Victorian parlor. A voluptuous girl dressed in an
old-fashioned dress, complete with generous boobs threatening to
spill out, stands behind an old, bar-like counter.
    “Good evening, Jen. How’s business tonight?”
Drew’s dazzling smile would make most women faint, but she doesn’t
even bat an eyelash. I need to talk to this woman and find out her
secret.
    “It’s going. Still early. Let me take your
coats.” She holds out her hand and the guys strip off their
jackets.
    Then all eyes are on me. Okay, so I’m not
into strip teasing, but I slowly unbutton my coat and open it even
slower. I peel it off my left shoulder and slip my arm out. Their
tongues are hanging out—okay, so they aren’t really, but it’s good
to imagine. I hand my coat over to Jen, who smiles and winks at me
in an appreciative way.
    Ah. Now I think I understand why she’s not
affected by the guys.
    I make sure my dress is straight before I
turn around and face my roommates. I watch their eyes enlarge as
they see how short the skirt is and how revealing the top part is.
My boobs aren’t ginormous, but with my push-up bra, they pass
inspection.
    “Wow, Dora. You dress up nice!” Liam takes my
arm and leads me down a hallway, leaving the other two standing
like statues while still gawking at me.
    “Thanks, Liam. It seems something has made
them speechless.”
    “You, you’re a little bundle of surprises.
I’m usually the quiet one, as you may have noticed. It’s a
refreshing change to see them shocked.”
    “Why, Liam, I like this side of you.”
    “Oh, no. Now you’ll pester me to act this way
all the time. Don’t get any ideas,” he laughs as he opens the door
at the end of the hallway.
    We enter another world. The music is
pulsating and the décor I can only describe as a
Goth-Victorian-Poe-era vibe. Pretty much everything is black with
splashes of red scattered around in the forms of paintings and
chairs. I’m shocked it’s not more crowded.
    Liam leads me to a secluded corner booth and
motions for me to slide in. He moves in after me. I scootch over to
make more room, but instead I hit a solid