“With good reason,” I mutter, turning back to the position I was in before he started this weird conversation. “Your family isn’t the most civilized.”
“And your family are the most uppity people in the city. Always thought your shit didn’t stink.”
“What are you now…forty?” I ask that right as he’s taking a sip of his beer, knowing damn well he’s nowhere near forty, but wanting to give him a proverbial kick to the gut.
“Damn, woman. I’m thirty-five, and you’re like twenty. Are you even old enough to be drinking that martini?”
“I’m twenty-four, thank you very much,” I grumble before taking a long sip, polishing off most of my drink.
“Well, you look fucking amazing. Last time I saw you, I think you were eating dirt in the backyard with pigtails.”
“One, I never wore pigtails. Two, I’ve never eaten dirt in my life. And three, you’re still an asshole like the rest of the Walshes. What a pity.”
“Why is it a pity?”
“Because you’re not too hard on the eyes, but the one thing I don’t do is Walshes. Therefore, you’re on the no-fuck list for eternity.”
“If I wasn’t a Walsh—” he stops, setting his beer down “—you’re saying you would’ve left with me?”
“Sure would’ve,” I lie. “After the night I had, I could use a little reminder of why men are worth the hassle, and you may have been able to scratch the itch I have.”
“I can still scratch it. No one has to know.”
“I’ll know, and that’ll be enough. No Walshes ever. We swore an oath to my father to steer clear…”
“And a good girl like you always keeps the promises she makes to her father?” he asks and waits for my reply.
“When it comes to the Walsh family…I sure as fuck do.”
“Predictable,” he mutters.
I lift the glass back to my lips, swallowing every last drop of the chocolate goodness. “I’m out. I’ve had enough males for one night. Thanks for the chat, Dylan Walsh.”
“Thanks for the memories, darlin’,” he says with a wink. “I’ll be seeing you around.”
“No, you won’t. It’s been over a decade, and I’ve never laid eyes on you until now. I don’t see it happening again anytime soon.”
“I lived out of state, but now I’m back. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again soon.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” I mutter, tossing a ten on the bar top before walking away, careful not to fall on my face in the impossibly high heels.
Do not fall. Do not fall.
I’d never live that shit down if Dylan fucking Walsh saw me go down in a blaze of glory. I lied when I told him I didn’t remember him. I do, but I haven’t thought about him since the day I saw him get in a fistfight with his father and take off on his motorcycle, the engine roaring until it faded in the distance.
Dylan Walsh is no doubt nothing but trouble like the entire Walsh clan. He is not the type of trouble I need in my life, especially if I’m looking to settle down.
Don’t turn around, I tell myself before my hand touches the door, but I can’t stop.
That is my biggest mistake.
I peer over my shoulder. Our eyes meet. I feel the sizzle as he smiles, winking at me again, looking at me as if I am his prey.
“Fuck,” I whisper to myself as I turn back around and haul ass to my car, peeling out of the parking lot and leaving that trouble right where I found him.
2
ROSIE
“Well, well, well. Someone looks exhausted today,” my sister Gigi says as I walk into Inked. “I’d say the date went well.”
I glare at her, stopping near the front desk with my coffee in one hand and my phone in the other. “For your information, the date did not go well.”
She perks up at the news, giving me her full attention. “It didn’t?”
“What happened?” Lily asks, coming out from the work area to join us in the customer waiting room.
I sigh, unable to hold in my distaste for the evening and men in general. “He went to the bathroom and never came back.”
Lily’s eyes grow huge. “He what?”
I glance out the front window, unable to look at them. “You heard me. It’s embarrassing enough to say it once. I’m not doing it again.”
“Jesus. Men are such tools.”
Pike, Gigi’s husband and my brother-in-law, strolls out with his hand under his shirt, scratching his stomach as if he just rolled out of bed. “What’d I miss?”
“Rosie was ditched last night,” Gigi tells him and then turns her attention back to me. “Did he at least pay the bill?”
I shake my head as I set my coffee, phone, and purse down. “Nope,” I snap.
Pike leans on the counter next to me, one arm extended and holding his body weight. “You need a man who acts like a man.”
I glare at him. “Thanks for that sage advice. I’ll go ahead and order one from Men ‘R’ Us because it’s just that easy.”
He gives me a small smirk. “Maybe get off the dating apps and try meeting people the old-fashioned way.”
My face doesn’t change as I keep my eyes locked on his. “And what would that be, o wise one? Enlighten me with your old-man knowledge.”
“Hey now,” he warns, but his face is still warm and sweet.
“Should I hang out in bars because that’s where all the reliable and good ones are?”
He shrugs one shoulder while still leaning, looking calm, cool, and collected. “Maybe. It’s how I met your sister.”
Gigi waves her hand, shooing him away. “Don’t listen to him. Men know nothing.”
“That ain’t no lie,” Lily whispers with a small giggle.
Luna rushes through the front door, almost spilling her coffee down the front of her white tank top. “Fuck. I hate mornings.”
“It’s three in the afternoon,” Pike tells her, glancing down at his watch.
Luna throws up a hand and rolls her eyes. “It’s morning in my world. Why are men such dicks?”
Gigi laughs. “Because they think with theirs, babe.”
Luna grunts. “Well, you can add Jack to the list. He just told me he needed a break because I’m too clingy.”
I shake my head, wishing I could wring Jack’s neck. “He’s an asshole, sis. You’re better off without him.”
Luna frowns. “But we had plans.”
“You had pipe dreams, sweetheart,” Pike adds, not making the situation any better. “Jack was never ready to settle down. He’s busy traveling the world, pretending he’s G.I. Joe.”
“Fuckin’ military men. I swear to God, I’m never dating another one,” Luna adds, glancing up toward the ceiling.
“You say that after each breakup, but the uniform gets you every time,” I remind her.
“No more military,” Luna repeats with a straight face but lying through her teeth. “If I want a man in uniform, I’m going for a hot firefighter or cop. They don’t get deployed or stationed clear across the country or world. I need someone who’s going to be closer. I don’t know how the hell I can be clingy with someone who’s a thousand miles away.”