Thanks to a good word from Dean, I was able to score the open apartment in his building. It’s more expensive than I wanted it to be, but the neighbor—and living space—is a massive upgrade for which I was long overdue. Luckily, I have solid savings to get me through until I can find a roommate or two.
She lifts her whiskey sour into the air. “To my liver, the real MVP of the night!”
“Though I believe I deserve the title for being the one providing the drinks for your liver, I’ll allow it.”
“I wasn’t finished.” She lifts the glass higher. “And to the handsome stranger who’s taking pity on me!”
She giggles, and I toss back the rest of my scotch in solidarity…and because I could use the drink myself.
I’ve been up since four thirty this morning and was on the jobsite by five. Then I had to listen to my co-workers complain for ten hours about how much they hate their wives and children.
Dean’s lucky as hell he’s like a brother, or else I’d have turned him down when he texted.
“You think I’m handsome?”
She pins me with a stare that says Don’t play dumb, then lifts her glass again.
She swallows down another healthy drink and rolls her tongue over her lips.
I try not to pay attention to the way my jeans tighten in areas they should not be tightening in.
But I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s been way too fucking long since I’ve been with someone. I could use a little relief between the sheets.
I flag Donny down, signaling for another drink before I let my thoughts wander too far. He knows me well enough to know I’ll be switching to beer for the rest of the night, so I’m not surprised when he reaches for a bottle of my favorite local brew.
He scuttles our way, dropping the bottle in front of me and taking my empty tumbler.
“Are you ready for another?” I ask, nodding toward her dwindling drink. They’re small glasses, so I’m not surprised she’s almost out again.
She tilts her head. “I should inform you you’re not coming home with me either, Romeo.”
I grin at the nickname. I should probably tell her my real one, but why offer up information she’s not willing to give too?
“I’m not trying to get you to go home with me…yet.” I smirk. “Just being a gentleman.” And trying to ease my guilt…
She nods, accepting that. “I’ll have one more, please,” she says to Donny.
“Coming right up.” He scurries off to grab her drink.
She rests an elbow on the bar, pinning me with those mysterious gray eyes of hers. “Why are you buying me drinks then?”
Straightforward.
I like that too.
I decide to give her the same treatment.
“Well, the first was because I felt bad for you given your situation. Plus”—I drag my eyes down her body, then back to her face—“have you seen your legs in those jeans?”
She smiles at the compliment, and I like that she takes it at face value. Too many times have I tried to compliment a woman and had her try to talk me out of it. I like a confident woman.
“No other motives?”
“Well…” I exhale slowly, then grimace. “My boss is the one who bought your building.”
She inhales a sharp breath, eyes widening at the confession.
I don’t know her well enough to be able to tell if she’s mad or just shocked, but she’s quiet as she stares at me with a look I’m unfamiliar with.
Donny breaks her concentration as he sets the replenished drink in front of her.
Her eyes narrow to slits. “Guess that makes us enemies, then.”
“Afraid so.”
“So these are guilt drinks?”
“Yes and no. I’m hoping they’d help my chances if I were to ask you if you want to go out sometime.”
“Sometime?”
“Sometime.” I shrug, deciding to show all my cards. “Or tonight. Your call.”
A grin curls the corners of her lips upward, and I can tell that, despite her earlier claims, she likes the idea. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Then ask me.”
My eyes are drawn to her exposed shoulder as she sets her chin in her hand, leaning onto the bar, waiting.
I have the strangest urge to lean down and kiss it.
Since when did shoulders become sexy?
Her gray eyes are lit with anticipation, and I hear the hitch in her breath when I bend toward her.
Despite her insistence on not going home with me, I have no doubt if I were to ask, she’d say yes.
“Tell me your name and I’ll ask you anything you want.”
She expels the breath she was holding on a short laugh, giving me a flirty smile. “I thought we’d settled on Juliet.”
“Is that what we’re going to do? Play pretend?”
It would be the first time I’ve done that with a girl.
But something tells me she’s not one for games.
“I—”
Her phone buzzes against the counter, dragging us both away from the moment as she shoves her hand into her purse.
She looks at the screen and frowns.
“I’m sorry,” she says, not glancing up. “I have to take this.”
She grabs her purse and rushes through the bar toward the bathrooms.
If I hadn’t watched her face fall with worry, I’d have assumed this was a gimmick to get out of telling me her name.
Now I’m just concerned and hoping she’s okay.
“You scare her off already?” Donny asks.
I stare after her. “I hope not.”
Because I fully intend to continue the conversation when she returns.
She’s standing just inside the short hallway; I can see her from my vantage point.
Her eyes widen, then a bright smile transforms her face.
It’s different from the smiles she’s been giving me, and I find myself a little jealous of whoever is on the phone.
Which is ridiculous considering I still don’t know her name.
“Dude!” A heavy hand lands on my shoulder, and I pivot toward the familiar voice. “Sorry we’re late. We got a little…occupied.”
The proud smirk on my best friend’s face transforms into a twist of pain when his girlfriend smacks him in the stomach.
“Dean!” she hisses, crossing her arms over her chest. “Can you not?”
“I could, but what’s the fun in that?”
“Ignore him.” She rolls her eyes, pretending to be annoyed by him. “Hi, Nolan.”
“Hey, River.” I smile at her, loving how she can go from evil to sweet as pie at a moment’s notice. She keeps Dean on his toes, that’s for sure. “How’s shit?”
She laughs at my phrasing. “Shit’s fine. Just trying to keep this idiot in line.” She hooks her thumb over her shoulder toward Dean. “I don’t know how you’ve put up with him all these years.”
“Excuse me,” he says. “I’m charming as fuck.”
“Charming is not the word I’d use for you.”
I agree, and I can say that since I’ve known him since we met at the bus stop in kindergarten.
“This place is busy.” River hops onto the abandoned stool, glancing around the bar. “I’m not seeing Maya anywhere. I texted her to let her know we’re here.”