Caught in Us (Caught Series Book 4) by Kacey Shea (free e books to read TXT) 📕

There’s a cheer of hoots and hollers.

Jill rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile on her lips.

“Some of us, including Cam, never thought this momentous day would happen.” Callie earns a few laughs. “Jill, you are one of the most level-headed, fiercely smart, and generous people I know. You deserve every bit of happiness life offers and I can’t wait to stand by your side tomorrow when you marry your best friend.” She lifts her drink. “But tonight, we party. For Jill!”

Everyone raises their glasses. A few cheer. Someone shouts, “Our badass lady boss!”

Jill fidgets under the attention, but her smile is full of appreciation.

Callie grins. “Okay, now sit down because I think we all need to eat and I don’t want to miss our reservation at the karaoke bar!”

There’s one long table set up for our party. I hang back, not sure where to sit and feeling a little out of place. I’m the odd friend out since I only know Jill and Callie. They sit at the head of the table and soon there are only two empty seats left near the middle. I slide into one, smiling politely at the woman seated across from me, wishing I remembered her name.

“Can I get you something to drink?” a server asks.

“Just a water, thanks.”

“Pacing yourself.” The woman at my left nods. “Smart.”

I open my mouth to respond, but a commotion near the entry draws my attention.

“Julia! You made it!” Jill jumps from her seat and rushes over to pull Chase’s girlfriend in for a warm embrace. Jealousy, ugly and visceral, roars in my chest. Their close friendship shouldn’t bother me, but it feels as though I’ve been replaced by a nicer, better, less baggage toting version. This woman doesn’t only have my man. She has my friends too.

All too late, I realize she’s bound to take the only open seat at the table—the one at my right. Shoving my insecurities aside, I paste what I hope is a friendly smile on my face.

“Hi!” Julia beams as she slides into her chair. “Alicia, right?”

“Yeah.” Despite how I feel, my mother raised me to always be polite. I glance over to find Jill staring, her expression not very pleasant. I look away and focus my attention back to Chase’s girlfriend. “Nice to see you again.”

“You, too.” Julia picks up two of the menus, handing me one. “Jill’s told me so much about your college escapades, I feel as if we’re already best friends.”

Oh, that’s never going to happen. I laugh at her friendly comment, but inside I’m cold as stone. I want to find fault with this woman so I can feel justified in my distaste for her, but so far all I have to blame is my own envious nature. “So, you and Chase?” I ask, pretending to scan the menu with interest.

“Yeah.” Julia touches the menu to her chest and exhales a gentle sigh. “He’s great.”

I know.

“Drink up!” someone shouts from the head of the table, handing Jill and a few others several shots. I try not to gawk, but I can’t help myself. Jill throws back two as if they’re water. She catches me staring before I have the chance to look away.

“So, how did the two of you meet?” I ask Julia, apparently on a mission to torture myself.

“Oh, I serve on an advisory committee for the county and he was working on a few grant proposals for the teen center. We kept running into each other at meetings, and hell, you’ve seen the man.” Her smile widens. “I was smitten from the start. Hearing him talk about his passion project and serving at risk youth”—she sighs and fans her face—“I had to ask him out. I mean, I’d be a fool to not try.”

And I was a fool to leave. “I take it he said yes.”

“Yeah, well.” She laughs rolling her eyes. “He didn’t know it was a date, which made it really awkward when I showed up looking my best self—full hair, makeup, the works, you know? And he walked into the restaurant carrying his laptop with a presentation prepared. I mean, it’s funny now. Makes for a great story, but I’m not gonna lie, that was a hit to the ego.”

“Oh, yeah, I can imagine.”

“It’s water under the bridge. I mean, now that we’re planning to get a place together when my lease is up, I think we’re good.” Her laughter sends tiny little daggers straight through my heart. “Fingers crossed it won’t be too long before it’s my turn to walk down the aisle.”

I don’t know what my face does, but my insides feel as if they’ve been pummeled. Even though we’re sitting down, I can’t catch my breath. Chase and Julia are moving in together? I think I might be sick.

“Here’s your water, ma’am.” I’m saved by the server as he reaches between us, then turns to Julia. “And what can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll have a glass of the Cabernet Sauvignon.”

“Perfect choice.” He nods his head, then leaves the room.

“What’s everyone getting?” Jill asks from the head of the table.

“It all looks so good,” Callie gushes. “Oh! Let’s get a bunch of appetizers to share. Unless you’d rather we each get our own items?”

“No, I’m good with that.” Jill lifts a glass of beer to her lips, but before she takes a drink she finds my gaze. “Alicia, is that okay with you?”

“Of course.” I glance around, a little taken aback she’s only addressed me when there are ten others at the table. “You know I love everything.”

“I wasn’t sure. I feel like I don’t know anything about you now.” She’s smiling, but the snark in her tone catches me off-guard.

“Jill,” Callie warns.

“What?” Jill shrugs, her words slurring slightly. “I’m just being honest.”

The conversations around the table quiet and I feel the heat of their gazes.

“We’ve been drinking all day.” Callie meets my stare. “She doesn’t mean it.”

Jill’s smile disappears and a hard scowl takes