“Hey, what are you guys up to tonight?”I ask, taking a sip of my drink and pretending not to notice Dave moving closer at my side.
“Not much.Trying to decompress after the code we both had today in the hospital,” Eli replies.Aiden gives me a half-hearted grunt.
“How’s Charlie?”I ask, knowing Aiden will rarely pass up an opportunity to talk about his girlfriend.
As predicted, I’m greeted by a rare Aiden smile as he talks about her.
“She’s good.Her bakery is set to open at the end of the year.”Aiden’s eyes soften as he talks about her.I wish I could find someone who adores me as much as Aiden adores Charlie.
“That’s awesome!I’ll have to make a trip with Sydney to see the place.”
I catch Dave watching me, and for a moment, the noise of the bar fades away.His mouth curves into a slow smile, like he’s been debating whether to come say hi.
10
DAVE
Here she is.
Sara.
I feel like a teenager trying to figure out if his crush likes him—not a twenty-seven-year-old man—who really should have his hormones together.She looks absolutely breathtaking tonight.The bodice of her lace top hugs her curves, catching the light just enough to draw my eye without begging for it.Black jeans.Heeled ankle boots.
“Hi,” I say first, because if I don’t, I might lose my nerve.
“Hi,” she says, smiling, and for a second I forget how to breathe.
“You come here often?”I tease, and to my surprise, she chortles.A chuckle and snort rolled into one—and coming from her, it’s downright adorable.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbles, trying to catch her breath.“The bartender used the same line on me less than five minutes ago.”
Rubbing a hand behind my neck, I feel my face heat ten degrees.“Oh.Well, I guess we all get tongue-tied around beautiful women.”
This time, it’s her face that heats.“Smooth.”
“Really, though, I’ve never seen you here before.”
“I’m usually busy at night.”She takes a sip of her drink, and I watch as her tongue slides over her bottom lip.“I’m a League of Legends streamer, so most of my nights are locked into the computer.”
“I see.”The reason for her late-night grocery orders comes into focus.“I guess you must be pretty popular?”
“More or less.”She looks anywhere but at me, fidgeting with the napkin on the table.Interesting—so she’s shy about her streaming.
Clearing my throat, I set my beer down on the table.“I’d love to watch one of your sessions.”
“You play?”
I shake my head.“Not to the level of streamers, but I dabble in Black Ops here and there.”
“Hmmm,” she hums, seeming to be deep in thought.
Not wanting this to turn awkward, I decide to get out of my comfort zone.
“Do you want to dance?”I ask, my hand outstretched for what feels like an eternity.
Her eyes light up, and she gives me a small nod, placing her hand in mine.“Let’s do it.”
My palm settles on her waist as soon as we hit the dance floor.Her body is warm under my touch.The music turns from upbeat to a slower, more seductive beat.The kind that invites closeness.We move together easily.Instinctively—like we’ve done this before, in another life.
