“Oh yeah?” I laugh, and he leans in just slightly.
“Anything for you,” he says, flashing that cocky little grin before turning to work his magic behind the bar. His hands move quickly, confidently, and in less than a minute, he slides the drink across the counter with a smooth flick of his wrist. A small, folded paper rests neatly underneath the glass.
“Can you add it to my friend’s tab? We’re covering it all together,” I say, flashing him a smile as I pick up the glass and swipe the paper beneath it, briefly glancing at it.
“Of course.” His eyes gleam with amusement as they follow my hand. His grin only widens when I slip the paper into the bodice of my dress like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Thanks, Cole.” I wink before slipping away from the bar to rejoin my friends.
Roughly another hour slips by in a blur of music, laughter, and clinking glasses. At some point, Khloe and I decide to wander off for a game of 8-ball. Big mistake—for her, anyway.I end up absolutely smoking her, sinking the eight ball with a smug little smirk while she groans dramatically.
“Sore loser much?” I tease, leaning on my cue stick as she mutters something about demanding a rematch.
She wants to go again, of course, but the pleasant buzz from my last drink is already starting to fade. I rack the cue and toss her a grin. “Later. I need a refill.”
I weave my way through the crowd and head to the bar for the third time that night. Cole spots me instantly and flashes that signature grin of his—half flirt, half trouble.
“Back for more, huh?” he teases while he dries out a glass.
“You know me,” I say, shooting him a playful smirk as I slide into an open spot at the bar. “I’m a glutton for punishment.”
“What’s your poison this time, darlin’?” He leans on his elbows.
“Same as before,” I respond, my smirk never faltering. “Keep the good vibes rolling.”
“You got it,” he says as he gets to work on it. I distract myself with my phone, checking messages and anything else that has popped up. A minute later, he slides my drink across the bar, the condensation already pooling around the base. “Let me know if you ever want the real thing, gorgeous,” he adds with a wink.
My cheeks flush, and I’m suddenly grateful for the dim lighting. “You’re trouble,” I mutter as I slide my phone back into my bag and grab the drink.
He just winks again and turns to the next customer.
Drink in hand, I head back to the table and plop down beside Khloe. She is back on the Karafun website looking for a song, her face twisted in concentration as she scrolls, so I take a sip from the drink and nudge her. After Cole’s little offer, I knew I needed to tell her about the number.
“So… I’ve been holding out on you,” I say.
She looks up, instantly intrigued. “Do tell.”
I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Okay—but don’t scream.”
She cocks a brow. “Why would I?—”
I pull the folded receipt from my bodice and unfold it just enough for her to see. Blue ink, messy handwriting, and a cheeky little winky face stare up at her. Khloe gasps so loud it turns heads.
“You did not!” she squeals, nearly knocking over her drink as she snatches the receipt from my hand. “You littlehoe! Oh my god, Rae!”
Tessa and Marlena whip around in their seats like they’ve just been summoned. “What’s going on?” Tessa asks, eyes darting between us.
Khloe thrusts the receipt into her hands like it’s evidence from a crime scene, and my cheeks heat again. “Cole gave her hisnumber!”
Tessa’s eyes widen. “No fucking way! Iknewsomething was up when he comped those first drinks!”
“Are you gonna call him?” Marlena asks, smirking as she peers over Tessa’s shoulder.
I shrug, slipping the paper back into my bra. “He’s cute, but I’m notintohim like that.”
“That’s because you’ve got it bad for Officer Hottie,” Tessa sings, wiggling her eyebrows. I don’t even bother answering—but I can feel my cheeks betray me, glowing like a damn sunrise.
“If she’s passing on the bartender, I’ll take him,” Khloe declares, reaching for the receipt again.
