“Be careful out there.”
“We will.” Terrence deposits the food on our table. “See you guys.”
Callie shakes her head. “See, that’s as attractive as a guy’s looks, in my opinion. A good man who knows how to treat his girl. Dropping everything to rescue her.”
“Yeah. You’re right.” I chomp on a tortilla chip. “But the view still ain’t bad from here.” I laugh between bites.
Jason
“Hey, can we get another round?” Trevor asks the bartender.
“Sure thing.”
“This place is great.”
The waiter deposits two amber bottles in front of us, and we clink the necks in unison. “To good friends,” I say. “Thanks for coming down here on your break. I’ve only been here a few weeks, and I’m so ready to get home.”
“Well, we’re ready to have you back. Between the annoying rookie and the replacement Chief Roberson sent, it’s bordering on painful.” He chuckles. “Your dad looked good.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty amazing. Hopefully, after I get the Christmas tree farm prepped for him, he can take over until my next stretch of days off.”
Out of the blue, a current of electricity pulses through me as a small hand lands on my back. Turning, I find Quinn stepping between us as she saddles up to the bar. “Jasper? Can Callie and I get another round of margaritas?” She points over her shoulder to where her friend is seated in a booth, smiling in our direction. Ignoring me, she continues, “The server’s been busy with that group over there.” She thumbs over her shoulder to the boisterous table of people who I’d bet are tourists. The women are adorned in flashy resort attire and the men all seem to be wearing golf tees and polos.
“Let me get those,” I tell Quinn.
She spins, giving me a bright smile, those glorious gray eyes nearly causing me to sway. Does this woman have any idea how attractive she is? “Okay.” How can four letters sound so seductive?
“How are you?”
“Good.” She spins to face Trevor. “Hi. I’m Quinn.”
A slow, sexy smile curls Trevor’s lips.
“Oh, where are my manners? This is Trevor from back home. He’s on my shift at station 12. He and his girlfriend, Addison, are two of my closest friends.” His brows nearly jump to his hairline, calling me out at inserting his girlfriend into the conversation.
“It’s nice to meet you, Trevor,” Quinn says in a flirty tone.
Jasper brings her drinks, and she carefully lifts one to her lips, darting her tongue out to lick salt from the rim. My cock comes to attention, and I have to forcibly swallow a groan.
“See you,” she chirps as she returns to the other side of the bar.
“Holy shit, man.” He slaps both palms flat on the bar. “That’s the first girl I’ve seen have any effect on you.”
“What? You’re crazy.” My eyes stay peeled on Quinn’s delectable ass as she sways her hips provocatively. She’s barely seated before a server brings more drinks, turning to point to two gentlemen across the bar.
“Awe, man. You’ve got it bad.”
I shake my head, knowing denying it is futile.
“Stop being so stubborn and go for it.”
“It’s not that simple.” I give him the lowdown on my history here. I lay it all out there. My best friend and my fiancée, the almost ten-year age difference, and Quinn running a PR campaign to improve the reputation of the station here.
“Listen, it doesn’t sound all that different from when I came to Sycamore. The only difference was that I hadn’t had the chance to give my ex the engagement ring yet. My live-in girlfriend was sleeping with a pro football player. In my house! I swore I’d never trust another woman again. Especially models. I was dating down from then on.” He smiles at the memory. “Then Addison came along. She was a force of nature. I couldn’t fight it. And in the end, I’m glad I didn’t.” Trevor chuckles before taking another sip of his beer. “This girl, Quinn, even looks a lot like Addison. But thank God my girl can dance.”
Following his line of sight, I tip back my amber bottle and immediately start to choke. Quinn and her friend are on the dance floor. Yet, while Callie is swaying her arms and hips to the beat of “Finally,” by CeCe Peniston, Quinn looks like Elaine from Seinfeld.
“Is she dancing or having a seizure?” He laughs. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Go out there and help her. I’ve seen your moves.” Am I actually considering this? “Go on. I’m probably going to finish this one and head back to the house. You should offer to drive those two home.”
