Rush by Maya Banks

sack. Or maybe he’s even gay. You know all the gorgeous to-die-for guys are always the ones who are unavailable. Though given a chance, I’d definitely see if I could turn him.”
    Mia groaned. “He’s not gay.”
    “And you know this how?” Chessy asked with a raised brow.
    “He’s Jace’s best friend,” Mia said in exasperation. “I’ve practically grown up around him. He was married and he’s had no shortage of women in his life.”
    Gina shrugged. “Maybe he just hasn’t found the right man yet.”
    “I could be his right woman,” Trish volunteered. “And I’d damn sure sign up to be his personal assistant. You’re such a lucky bitch, Mia.”
    “I’d be happy to take on Jace,” Chessy said. “I’d work overtime for that man.”
    Mia covered her ears and groaned even louder. “Stop. You’re scarring me. I don’t want images of you and Jace. He’s my brother! That’s gross, Chessy. Just gross!”
    “I think we should go out and celebrate,” Caroline announced.
    Mia shot her a startled glance. Chessy and the others wore interested looks as they waited for more.
    “We should go clubbing,” Caroline said. “If Mia’s going to be tied to a nine-to-five job, her late nights with us are over. At least during the week. I know the bouncer at Vibe, and he’s promised me he’d get me and my girls in if I come by.”
    “Damn, I have to be to work early,” Trish said, her lips turned downward in a frown.
    “Oh, live a little,” Chessy urged. “It’s not like you can’t do your job in your sleep. Besides, you can catch up on your rest after worktomorrow. Tonight we’ll go have some fun. It’s been way too long since we got to hang together.”
    Trish looked indecisive, and then she finally nodded. “Okay, I’m in.”
    “Mia?” Caroline asked.
    All eyes turned to Mia, looking at her in anticipation. The truth was, Mia wanted to sequester herself and have time alone to process the day. Gabe. Everything. But she loved her friends, and in her gut she knew her time would likely be limited with them from now on, at least until it was over between her and Gabe.
    “I’m in,” Mia said with a smile. “I need to go change, though. I have office clothes on. If we’re going out, I don’t want to look like a secretary.”
    “Rock on,” Chessy crowed.
    “Wait a minute. I’m not dressed for the club either!” Trish exclaimed. “I need to run home if we’re doing this.”
    “Yeah, me too,” Gina agreed.
    Caroline held her hands up. “Okay, here’s the deal. We do a hurry-up on the prep and we meet outside the club in an hour and a half. Deal?”
    The others were already scrambling off the couch and heading for Mia’s front door. They waved and called back good-byes, and then they were gone.
    Mia started to get up to go into her bedroom to change when Caroline stopped her.
    “Everything okay with you, Mia? You seem…quiet. Or at least different.”
    Mia smiled. “I’m fine, Caro. A little tired. It’s been a strange day.”
    “Would you rather not go?” Caroline asked anxiously. “I can call and cancel with the girls.”
    Mia shook her head. “No, let’s do it. I may not be able to do it again anytime soon. At least until I know how things are going towork out with Gabe. I have no idea what my schedule is going to be like. He’ll expect me to work when he does.”
    Mia started again for her bedroom and when she reached the door, Caroline called out to her once more.
    “Are you sure this is what you want? To work for Gabe, I mean?”
    Mia met Caroline’s gaze, some of her earlier trepidation easing from her chest. “Yeah, this is what I want.”
    Gabe was what she wanted. The job was just a means to have him. And if it gave her experience outside of working in a cafe, it would just be an added benefit.
    As she hurried to arrange her hair and reapply her makeup, her cell phone went off, signaling a text message. She dug it out of her purse, which she’d dropped on the