Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,27
and really cute nude peep-toe boots among my old shoe collection.
After I was dressed, I found a hair tie and mascara in my purse. I used them to put my hair up into a messy bun and add a little volume to my lashes.
“Okay, let’s go!”
CHAPTER 9
Paco’s Tacos had the best tacos in the world. I hadn’t been there in years. I was so excited; I was bouncing in my seat as I looked over the menu.
“Calm down. They’re just tacos,” Jamie said as he read his own menu next to me.
“They’re not just tacos. They’re orgasmic tacos. Anyone would be excited for an orgasm.” I could tell he was fighting to hold back a smile and a triumphant smirk pulled at my lips when he failed.
Returning from the bathroom, Louie took a seat across from us. “What about orgasms?”
“Want to share an order of nachos?” I deflected. I hadn’t realized until we’d gotten here that I hadn’t eaten in two whole days. Going days without eating wasn’t unusual for me. I tended to forget to eat when stressed, like during finals week or finding my ex banging someone else. The longest I’d ever gone without eating was five days and that had been seven years ago. With all the yummy smells surrounding me right now, oh man, I was practically drooling.
“I thought you wanted tacos?” Louie questioned.
“I’m getting those, too. Oh! Their burritos look good. I’m so hungry, I want everything.” I dramatically sighed as if this was the hardest decision ever, and of course, the waitress chose that moment to show up.
“Welcome to Paco’s. My name is Sara. What can I get for you?” Her attention was solely on Louie. She stared at him like he was a tall glass of ice water and she'd been lost in the hot desert for a week.
Louie realized it too, but he didn’t encourage her. He looked to me. “Why don’t you order first, Maura?”
Did he just blow her off?
Wide-eyed, I tilted my head at him. Are there pigs flying outside? This was not typical Louie behavior. He’d normally be all over this waitress. She was totally his type. One, she had a vagina, and two, she showed interest—the only two things he looked for in a woman. Her being cute was just a perk.
Is he ill?
Normal Louie would have monopolized her attention and been screwing her in the bathroom before we were done eating. How did I know this? Because he’d done it before. Five times!
I handed over my menu to the waitress. “I’ll take three steak tacos, a supreme nachos, a margarita, and two shots of tequila.”
Both of the guys stared at me for a moment before placing their orders.
“A margarita and two shots?” Louie chuckled.
I shrugged. “When I’m in a shitty mood, I drink whiskey. When I want to have a good time, I drink tequila. I couldn’t decide how I wanted it prepared, so I got both.”
Louie smiled at Jamie. “Little Maura’s become a lush.”
I grabbed a tortilla chip from the bowl the waitress had placed on the table between us and threw it at him. “I’ve been in college. The first few years, I lived like a fish. I could drink you under the table.”
Louie’s brows rose at the challenge. “Don’t get cocky, princess, or I’ll call you out on it later.”
“Oh, Louie, Louie. I’m not cocky. I’m confident you’ll tap out long before I do. Just let me know the time and place, pretty boy.” I gave him a sly and confident smirk. Both him and Jamie chuckled, clearly not believing me.
Laugh it up, gentlemen. Just you wait.
Our drinks came out first. I immediately downed the first shot, then decided to pour the second one into my margarita. The guys watched me quietly as they sipped their beers. Did I care? Nope. The food came a few minutes later and that first bite—it was better than sex. I moaned, “Oh my God.”
“You think that’s how she really sounds?” Louie asked Jamie and I flipped him off.
“Don’t ruin this for me. Let me enjoy my foodgasm.” I looked around at all the food and started digging in. After I ate a whole taco and some nachos, I couldn’t stop myself from eyeing Jamie’s burrito. It was shredded chicken with pico de gallo, rice, and sour cream. Yum. Jamie caught me staring, rolled his eyes, then offered me his burrito.
I took a huge bite and sighed with bliss. Jamie reached across me, grabbing one of my tacos.