I smile and thank god that the conversation is over. Feeling uncomfortable, I look to my right again and find the two hotties listening in on our conversation. The dark-haired guy raises his brows as if in warning. Confused, I turn my head back around to find Joey still staring at me, waiting for an answer.
Oh, for Christ’s sake, take a hint! I feel two hands take hold of my chair possessively, and then I’m being spun around.
“Look, mate, she isn’t interested, fuck off.”
Oh my god, I’m now staring at the blond’s chest. He’s glaring over my head. My cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“Fuck you!” Joey sneers, sounding fuming mad. What is happening? “I’m her friend, you rude prick!”
“No, you’re not. You’re trying your luck to get laid, soft cock. Now leave!” The last bit comes out as a growl, and I shrink down farther in my seat. I should stop this, Joey is harmless, and I’ve never set him straight. This is a shamble.
“Nina?”
“It’s fine, Joey, you go. I’m going to get my drinks and head back to the girls.” I turn my head to see him standing at my back, his face bright red with rage. My eyes plead with him.
Please don’t cause a scene.
He downs the last of his pint then slams his glass down onto the bar. I eye my drinks like they are a ticket to Hogwarts and start to pick up the tray. Joey looks at me one last time before he shakes his head, turning for the exit.
“You okay?” This comes from the tall, dark-haired guy. He has a soft look in his eyes as if he feels bad for what his friend has just done.
“Yes, I’m fine, sorry. He’s alright, just hasn’t taken the hint yet.” I drop my head, completely mortified.
“I’m Charlie.”
My eyes lift and I smile. There’s something about this man. He’s got an air about him that instantly makes me feel safe. My hand finds his outstretched one, and he returns my smile.
My gaze moves to the blond. He is staring down his nose at me, and I squirm under his glare. What’s his problem? I can see his mind ticking over as he assesses me.
This one, I’m not getting quite the same feels from. He’s hot. I mean, hot doesn’t even come close to this guy. He oozes power. His tailored suit tells me that alone, but that look he’s giving me tells me he’s the boss. Like, the boss’s, boss’s boss. I force my chin up and don’t back down. His brows rise, then he breaks out into a chuckle.
My brows draw in. “Okay, crazy.” Time to go.
I spin with my tray, ready to hotfoot it back to my girls. Where are those bitches anyway? They saw I needed an out with Joey.
“Hey, wait a second, Pixie.”
I stop, slowly spinning on my heel. Pixie. Is this guy serious?
“Excuse me?” I jolt my head to the side for effect, but I have a feeling the wine has already made me tipsy, and I look like a fool.
He grins at me, and I can’t help it; the wall I put up ten seconds ago crumbles with his playful manner.
“That’s your friends over there, the blonde and brunette?” He smiles cheekily.
Oh, I’m so on to you, mister.
“Who?” I crane my neck, pretending to look around for said beauties. The pair of idiots are standing. Why are they standing? I screw my face up every which way.Come and help me! They stare at me, open-mouthed.
I roll my eyes. “Nope, I don’t know them.” I catch Charlie’s eyes. The corner of his mouth tipping up into a smile.
“Ah, okay, no worries.” The blond one gives me a wink, turning back to the bar to down his drink.
I make a dash away, finally, after what feels like an eternity since I left to go to the bar. I do my best to shimmy my way back to the girls without spilling a drop of wine, taking the long way around and heading past the dance floor to throw the boys off.
“What the hell was that?” Lucy shouts when I’m a few feet from the table. I sit down, grab my drink and down it in one, wincing from the sweetness that sets my cheeks tingling. “Who were those guys, and what did you say to Joey? He was so angry when he left.”
“Me? I didn’t say anything. It was him.” I search the bar for the blond guy and Charlie, but I can’t see them anywhere.
