“When the universe gives you resources,receive it, don’t reject it. Life is about flow. Motion. If you reject that money, you’re putting a stopper in your flow. Give it away, donate it if you want, but don’t reject it. Stay in the flow, even if it’s just a tiny little trickle, because that, Sara, is the secret to getting unstuck.” Damn. I hadn’t thought of it that way either.
Just get the paint on the canvas, I told myself. That’s it. I could do that. Right?
Wrong.
CHAPTER 18
Casanova and The Dirty Blonde
CARTER
All around us, patrons hooted and hollered, rowdy and inebriated inside The FlatHatter, the dive bar everyone from the base liked to frequent.
I tipped my beer bottle to my lips before quickly shielding my face as Tatum threw a spray of peanut shells at me. “You just couldn’t help yourself, could you, Casanova?”
“Aww Blaze, I can’t help it if I’m just better than you.” I chuckled with a condescending shrug, but I was more than glad to have a flight training week to be back at home with my OG flight squad. Most of my covert tactical missions were spent with people that I never really got the chance to know. Mostly because the team was rotating, but sometimes, and it was becoming all too frequent—I was bringing my team members back in a long box. One of these days, I wondered if it would be me.
“You wish.” Tatum popped another peanut into his mouth with a roll of his eyes.
“Can I get you boys anything else?” The smiley, red-headed waitress asked, folding her now empty serving tray under her arm.
“How about your number?” Ezra Williams asked with a flirtatious wink.
The waitress smiled. “I’ll do you one better. I’moff in five.”
“It’s a date.” Ezra crooned.
“Or you could go out withme.” Mike Rochester grinned with his oh so charming smile. “I promise to show you a better time than this loser.” He hooked a thumb at Ezra.
“You don’t want him, Gorgeous—you know what they call him up there,” Ezra grinned, ready to drop his next insult, “Grandma.”
“At least I’m not hot off the block.” Mike countered, adding with a smirk, addressing the waitress again. “This guy wants to get to the end as fast as possible, and me, well, I’m incredibly patient.In fact, I prefer taking my time.”
“Don’t you two make an interesting pair,” the waitress laughed and walked away, tossing her hair over her shoulder casually. “Why choose? You’re both invited.” Ezra and Mike looked at each other, a silent question passing between them.
“Fuck.” I muttered. “You two have fun with that.” They both stood up at the same time and grabbed their jackets in agreement.
“Have fun in Paris.” Tatum called after them with a shake of his head. “Shit, that’s either going to make things really funny or really fucking awkward tomorrow.”
I chuckled, feeling fingers walking around my shoulder, before a hand slid into the base of my hair. “Hey soldier.” A sultry voice purred into my ear, and then a bleach-blonde woman came around my side, fiddling with her necklace, not so subtly drawing attention to her cleavage. “Looking for a good time tonight?”
“I’m good, thanks.” I smiled politely.
She scrunched up her nose. “Come on, it could be fun.” She made a pouty face.
“You might try that table over there.” I nodded toward another crew that I knew would definitely take her up on the offer.
She hopped up on her tiptoes and pulled herself into my lap, nearly knocking over my beer bottle. I grabbed it before it spilled, tensing as she threaded her arms around my neck and leaned into my ear. “What if I’m not interested in them? What ifyou’re theone I had my eye on?” Tatum shot me a look, likecome on, she’s hot.
I threw Tatum a roll of my eyes before addressing the woman. “Sorry, ma’am, I gotta wife back home.” I said, putting a little twang in my voice for Tatum’s benefit.
“I don’t see a ring.” She scrunched her nose in annoyance. “Don’t break my heart. I don’t think I could take it. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.” She wiggled in my lap, and I flinched, grabbing her wrist as she slid her hand down, down, down.
Tatum stifled a laugh.
“Sorry, I’m really not interested.” I gently pushed her out of my lap to stand, and I flinched when one of her nails pricked the back of my neck in protest.
She scowled. “Whatever. Your loss.” She left, putting extra sway in her hips as she stomped off.
