A memory of chiseled abs and a mocking smile flashed in my mind. I had turned away quickly before I could catch a glimpse of Simon's cock, but I just knew he would have an impressive package. The smug bastard.
"Sof?"
Brian's voice penetrated my thoughts, causing my attention to snap back to my date. I realized that I was glaring down at my glass, my fingers wrapped tightly around it as if I was trying to wring Simon's neck.
I gave Brian an apologetic smile, forcing my dark mood away.
I shook my head. "Sorry. My week. It's been fine. The weekend was full on with Eden and Barron's engagement party."
"Oh, yeah." Brian turned to smile at the waitress when she placed his beer on the table. "How was that?"
Welcoming the change in subject, I dove into the details of the party. He knew most of the people present and had met Ryan and Barron a few times. He wasn't too familiar with Eden, considering she only moved back to New Haven fairly recently.
I did genuinely like Brian and enjoyed his company. He was handsome, and we always had things to talk about. He was also good in bed - always taking care of my needs before his own. But beyond that, we didn't have any extra chemistry. He didn't give me thatfeeling. Like he was my person.
Our first date had been enjoyable, although I didn't feel we were compatible as a long-term couple. Still, I agreed to a second date and felt pretty much the same. It was then that Brian confessed that he was still in love with his late wife, who had passed away from cancer two years prior. He wasn't looking for a relationship but was lonely and seeking physical intimacy.
I had teared up at his confession, sharing that I understood to an extent - given how I lost my dad. My mom had no desire to date or remarry again. I wasn't looking for anything less than what my parents had. The deep searing love that my mom still missed every day.
But that didn't mean I had to live like a nun until I met him. As Cameron Diaz's character said inThe Sweetest Thing- I didn't need Mr. Right; just Mr. RightNow.
I relaxed into our conversation, and before long, we were laughing and joking like old friends. This was our routine whenever we met up. A drink at Malley's before driving to my apartment for a night of sexual release. I'd never been to Brian's place and doubted I ever would. I knew without asking that he was uncomfortable bringing another woman into the space he had shared with his wife.
"What?" I asked when Brian stared in amusement behind me.
"That dude is tanked as fuck. It's the third time I've seen him almost fall off his stool."
Curious, I turned in my seat before my quizzical brow dropped when I recognized thedudesitting at the bar. Guess that answered my question of where Simon had disappeared to after leaving Barron and Eden's.
I ran a critical eye over his appearance. From the looks of his disheveled hair and swaying form, it was apparent that he had been at Malley's for a while.
He had likely been here when I arrived. The front bar had been too full of people for me to have seen him.
If I'd known he was in here, I would've downed my drink and insisted we left immediately. I could've been in post-coital bliss by now.
I frowned when a feminine hand reached out to stroke his hair. My stomach sank when I recognized the svelte blonde next to him.
Lissa.
I rolled my eyes before turning back to Brian. My stomach was rattled at the scene I just witnessed. Some part of me wasn't surprised, but an even bigger part felt disappointed.
Shaking my head at his conduct, I downed the remaining remnants of my drink. Maybe an orgasm would help get me over my funk. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah." Brian threw a few bills on the table before helping me with my jacket.
He touched my lower back as we walked towards the door. I kept my gaze firmly locked on the exit, determined to ignore Simon while hoping he wouldn't spot me.
"I said I'mnotinterested!"
At that rough growl, I flicked my eyes toward the couple. Lissa attempted to place her hand on Simon's shoulder while he disarmed her antics by jerking his shoulder away. Each time he moved, he would almost fall out of his chair. Brian was right - the guy was three sheets to the wind.
Whatever. It wasn't my business.
"Isn't that Barron's cousin?" Brian commented as he continued to hold the door open.
"Hmm," I mumbled, my gut conflicted as I witnessed the scene.
Not my circus. Not my monkey.
