If I did this, I’d either get more unofficial dates with Tenor, or I’d get him admiring my body? “It’s a deal.”
“I don’t take bets I’m going to lose,” he warned. “Get your sweet ass in there, Ruby, and show them whatcha got.”
Shivers zinged down my spine. I got out and added a little sway to my ass, the hem of my skirt kicking at my legs. The sun was sinking in the horizon, but the night was still young.
Free drinks. As if. The only time I’d gotten a free drink was when a barista had given me the wrong order in a drive-through and I’d already taken a sip.
Once I stepped inside the dim bar, my bravery faltered. The place was half-full and people turned to look at me. Lots of men. Tenor had been right about that.
I lifted my chin. That was all he was right about.
As I made my way to the counter, the irony came into clear view. Why did I want the guy who was dating me out of pity to be wrong about how desirable I was?
I climbed onto a round stool. The top squeaked as I swiveled. A faint scent of mustiness lingered under the damp smell of hops and old wood. This establishment had to be decades old and it had definitely seen better days.
The bartender looked to be a few years older than me. He was several inches shorter than Tenor, but he was good-looking enough. A little too similar to Brock for my taste.
He propped a hand on the top of the bar and his gaze dipped down to my boobs. “What can I get you?”
“Bourbon and?—”
“We don’t carry Copper Summit,” he said to my chest. “If that’s what you’re wanting.”
I was nothing if not loyal. “I don’t want lower-quality bourbon.” One blond brow ticked up, and I smiled sweetly. “How ’bout a Malibu and Coke?”
He patted the countertop and walked away. Behind the bar, bottles of spirits were lined up. I was used to serving only bourbon, but my content-creation brain wouldn’t shut off. I could do some smoky bar shots. Could I talk one of the Bailey brothers into being the fuzzy image in the mirror? The hint of handsomeness that was behind the bourbon. I could easily picture it with any of the brothers, but I’d rather see Tenor. My own personal post.
The door opened and a spear of fading light stabbed across the floor. A big shadow darkened the room again. Tenor. It took all my restraint not to look. From the way my body flushed, I knew I was right.
His heavy footfalls faded into the corner of the bar. I wanted to look so badly, but I couldn’t without smiling and waving.
My drink slid in front of me. “That’ll be six dollars,” the bartender said to my chest.
Six dollars. A small part of me died inside. I was showing Tenor he was wrong and the shame burned hot. I didn’t intend to be a sexpot in life. I was happy with where I was and how I looked. I just hated how others could affect that.
I opened the top of my purse.
Someone slid onto a stool next to me. “I got it.”
Shocked, I gaped at the new arrival. He was probably in his thirties, wearing a white T-shirt with a flying pig on it. I couldn’t make out the words, or I’d be as bad as the bartender. The man’s ball cap was grungy and not in a faux-worn sort of way. From his glassy eyes, he was likely a few drinks into the night.
I almost told him it was fine, but I had made a bet. I also might lose my feminist card, but it felt good to have my drink paid for. “Thank you.”
I took a sip. My Coke was the lightest brown I’d ever seen. Didn’t the bar owners realize soda was cheaper than rum?
The new arrival stuck his hand out. “Travis.”
“Ru—” Did I want to give my real name? People might not know me, but I also didn’t want them to remember me. I wasn’t sure how this night would end. “Just Rue.” I took a big gulp to fortify my nerves.
I was so out of my element.
Travis’s brown eyes twinkled. “Well, just Rue. You from here?”
I snorted. “You must not be if you have to ask.”
“You got me.” The corners of his eyes crinkled and a slow grin spread across his face.
Oh god. He thought I was flirting. I’d been serious. If he was from Bourbon Canyon, he’d likely know he hadn’t seen me at the grocery store or in church or grabbing a coffee, no matter our age difference.
