I walk through a second set of glass doors and into the space. Thankfully the decor is lighter here, and since it’s not a restaurant, I’m met with a bar full of men in business suits instead of couples feeding each other tiramisu. Seems like I picked the right place.
I look around for a place to sit. There’s a seat at the bar between two men, and a few high-top tables open. There are a few booths, two of which are occupied and one open in the corner. Deciding that’s the best place for me to drink and wallow without having to make polite conversation with anyone, I make my way over. I reach the booth at the same time a man appears from around the corner from where I assume the bathrooms are. He slides into the booth while his dark blue eyes lock on to mine.
“Excuse me,” I say politely. “I was going to sit here.”
He gestures to the open space of the booth. Since it’s a corner one, the padded seat connects so it makes a half rectangular shape.
“Nobody is stopping you,” he replies.
Is this guy for real?
I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. The light in here is dim, but there’s a candle lit on the table that lights his cherub-like features from below, the flame flickering in his stormy eyes. With his short sandy curls and sweet features, he’s beautiful, for lack of a better word. Ethereal even. Yet somehow,he screams danger. It’s an odd combination, and butterflies erupt in my stomach out of nowhere.
“I wasn’t planning on sharing the table,” I manage to get out in an even tone.
The man points to a high top nearby. “There’s a table there.”
“I wanted the booth.”
“Are you allergic to sharing?”
“Are you allergic to being fair?”
He chuckles, the sound low in his throat. The butterflies in my stomach multiply at the tone, and to be honest, I don’t know if they’re telling me I’m attracted to this man or to run away from him. But my feet stay planted on the ground, regardless of whatever it is I’m feeling.
“Hmmm, well, we both want the booth. I’m alone and I’m guessing you are too. Plus, I sat here before I went to use the restroom. My coat was here,” he points to the bench.
Weird. I could have sworn it wasn't there before, but there it is, on the booth next to him.
He smirks. “I think I’m being more than fair by sharing, no?”
I can’t argue with him there. It’s not as if I own the booth. And if his coat was there…
I sigh and decide I’ll take the high top then, but when I turn to go to it, two businessmen have sat down with their drinks. I look over to the bar where the empty seat was before, and that’s filled now too. Meaning, I either share with this beautiful stranger, or leave and find somewhere else to go.
“I won’t bite.”
I meet his gaze again. His head is cocked to the side, and his lips are still upturned. We stare at each other for what is only seconds, but feels like an hour. I should leave, grab a hotel room, and drown my pride in overpriced mini-bar wine. Then maybe I’d work up the nerve to call one of my friends, confess they were right about Ricky—that moving in with him was a mistake—andbeg for a place to stay. But honestly? That sounds a lot worse than sharing a booth and a drink with this beautiful man.
“Alright. If you don’t mind,” I say on an exhale, the annoyance I felt before leaving my body.
He gestures to the open booth, and I notice how long and dexterous his fingers are. They’re also decorated in silver and gold rings.
Why is that so attractive?
“I wouldn’t have offered it if I did. Now sit…”
“Theo,” I fill in his pause for him.
“Theo.”
My name rolls off his tongue like the notes of a fine wine. The butterflies bang in my stomach as if they’re trying to break free from containment, and if I was smarter, I’d take it as a warning to run instead of to sit. The last thing I need tonight is to get involved with another man. He may be a stranger, but he doesn’t deserve to be the guy I use to take my mind off another failed relationship.
Despite that thought, I remove my coat and sit anyway.
“And your name?” I ask.
He leans back, and I notice the candle flickering over the white button-up shirt he’s wearing, covering his plush form. The top few buttons are undone, revealing his clean chest, which I have no doubt would feel amazing under my lips. My body temperature skyrockets when the man’s throat clears. I meet his amused gaze.
