She pointed to the stool next to the one he’d vacated. “Is that mine?”
Trent glanced back. “Oh, yeah. Sit down.” He dropped back onto his seat and motioned to the mugs on the counter. “I already ordered us beers.”
Ember pulled out the stool and sat, tugging down the short front of her skirt to keep her thighs covered before setting her purse on the bar top. “Thanks, but I’m not a fan of beer.”
“Oh, come on.” He slid the mug toward her. “It’s good stuff. At least try a few sips. It won’t hurt you.”
“I’d rather not. I find beer gross.”
“Uh oh, red flag, am I right?” Trent laughed much too enthusiastically at his own joke and nudged her with his arm. “Just kidding. More for me!”
She smiled tightly and pushed the mug toward him. “Have at it.”
He turned on his stool so he was facing her, once again ogling her. “What are you, some kind of earth witch or something with all the green?”
His gaze lingered on her breasts, where the neckline of her off-shoulder blouse dipped in a V. And considering she was full-chested and wearing a pushup bra, she was sure he was getting an eyeful.
I wish I was a witch. Then maybe I’d have a spell to get out of this.
“Not a witch,” she said, pulling up the neckline a bit, hoping he’d get the hint. “I just like to dress up.”
“Isn’t that a bit childish?” He picked up one of the beers and drank.
And there it is.
She pressed her lips together. How was she not surprised by his response? “What’s childish about it?”
Trent shrugged and lowered the mug, licking the foam from his upper lip. “I don’t know. Just a thing kids do, isn’t it? Playing dress-up. Anyway, you looked goth in your profile picture. Guess I was expecting you to be decked out in black, is all.”
“Some days I am.”
The bartender stepped in front of Ember. “Can I get you anything?”
Ember smiled politely at him. “Water, please.”
The man nodded and filled up a glass, setting it in front of her. “Anything to eat?”
“Get me a double cheeseburger and fries with a side of garlic wings,” Trent said.
Nodding, the bartender looked at Ember. “And you?”
“Just a basket of fries, please.”
As soon as the bartender was gone, Trent rested his arm on the bar and leaned close, his lips stretching into a sly smile. “So, Amber, I’ve really been looking forward to?—”
“It’s Ember.”
“Huh? Oh, shit. Really? I thought it was Amber this whole time.” He laughed and shook his head. “Anyway, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I like to see the person I’m talking to. Texting ain’t the same, you know?”
Ember picked up her glass of water and took a sip. “Mmhmm.”
He stared at her mouth. “You know, you really are beautiful…”
“So what do you like to do for fun?”
“Hang out with the boys, throw back a few, catch a game. Doesn’t take much to make me happy.”
“You said you worked at a home repair company?”
