Chapter Three
As soon aswe finished taking pictures and were announced at the reception, I hauled my ass into the room and made a beeline toward the open bar. I only had a few minutes before the first dance and dinner service and I needed alcohol.
I swore I could still feel the imprint of Landen’s palm on my breast. The fact that he kept looking at me as thoughhecould still feel it too made it almost impossible to smile and pose for the pictures.
Now that it was over, I intended to grab a drink. It was either that or a Xanax because Amanda, the wedding planner, wanted the wedding party to pair off for one song after the dinner service. I’d never heard of such a thing before but I didn’t have the heart to tell Lucy I wouldn’t do it.
It was one dance. Just one.
And we would be on the dance floor in front of about two hundred other wedding guests. Nothing could happen.
Yeah, I didn’t believe it either.
Hence the reason I walked up to the bar and said, “Tequila. A double.”
The bartender looked at me, lifting a brow before he smiled. “Sorry. Wine or mixed drinks only.”
I growled which made his smile widen. “Fine. A margarita on the rocks, lots of salt, and make it a strong one.”
“Rough day?” he asked as he commenced mixing my drink.
“Yes and no.”
“You’re not happy for the bride and groom?”
I sighed and relaxed. “Of course I am. She’s one of my best friends and he’s my boss. I want them both to be happy. I just…don’t get along with one of the groomsmen.”
“Ah,” the bartender replied as he set my glass in front of me.
I reached for it and my fingers brushed his because he wouldn’t release the glass. I glanced up and realized for the first time that he was about my age and extremely attractive. His dark hair was cut short and he had a goatee that didn’t hide the dimples that popped out when he smiled. His dark eyes were nearly black and steady on mine.
It suddenly hit me that he was flirting with me. And being awkward, I suddenly wasn’t sure what to do or say. He was cute but he didn’t make my body feel as though it were on fire. Though that might be a good thing.
“If this doesn’t do the trick, I don’t think alcohol is going to help,” he stated with a wink before he removed his hand from the glass, his fingertips brushing mine as he let go.
I kept my eyes on his as I lifted the drink to my lips. I could smell the alcohol so I braced myself before I sipped. I was glad I had because the burn of tequila filled my mouth. My eyes watered as I lowered my hand.
“Perfect,” I replied hoarsely.
The bartender laughed, revealing straight white teeth. “Good. Though I won’t make the next one as strong. You’re a bridesmaid, right?”
I nodded, sipping the margarita again and appreciating the warmth of the liquor as it spread through my chest.
“Yeah, I don’t think the bride would appreciate it if I helped you get trashed at her wedding.”
It was my turn to laugh. “If anyone’s getting trashed, it’ll probably be her. She’s a little wild.”
“I’m Anthony,” the bartender stated. “If you need another drink, come find me.”
Before I could say anything else, a tall, masculine body came to my side, pressing in too close.
“Amanda was looking for you,” a low voice murmured in my ear.
This time I managed to tamp down my body’s reaction to the low, rumbling timbre of Landen’s words and I took a good-sized swallow of the margarita. Anthony looked between Landen and I, his brows lifting as if to say,“Is this the guy?”
I nodded once before turning my head to look at Landen. “Why?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know.”
