Why was she just standing there?
Did she like other men flirting with her? Was she enjoying the attention? Was it better than mine?
I growled and pushed off the railing, heading straight for the stairs.
Fuck this.
Ididn’t need to look up to know Rowen was watching me. I could feel his gaze burning holes into my back.
Good.
I couldn’t believe Rowen had continued to finger me when the guy walked up, as though it didn’t matter that we were being watched, just to send me away so he could have a secret conversation. My entire body was flaming with blush when I walked, eyes down, past James.
“Drink?” the bartender asked.
“Something strong that tastes good,” I said loudly over the music. “I want to get drunk fast as payback to my date.”
The bartender nodded, like he knew exactly what to get me. “You got it.”
I turned to my right to see a large man approaching. He was average-looking, tall, and muscular. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing like the man waiting for me upstairs.
“Hey,” he said as he leaned against the bar.
“Hi.”
I could see the bartender preparing my drink, whatever it was, and I bounced impatiently.
“I’m Aaron.”
“Avery.”
“That’s such a pretty name,” he replied as he grabbed my hand and placed a kiss on it.
I shouldn’t have let him, but I couldn’t help the smug satisfaction knowing Rowen had definitely seen that interaction and would lose his shit.
Serves him right for making me leave after getting me so close in front of a damn stranger.
Aaron motioned over another bartender. “Whiskey. Neat.” Aaron looked at me. “Can I get you something?”
I shook my head. “I already have something being made, but thank you.”
“Are you here alone?”
I looked at the guy attempting to flirt with me, deciding it was best to end this before it got too far. “No. I’m not.”
“Here you go.” The bartender who’d taken my order placed a pink shot in front of me.
I didn’t hesitate to throw it back, but I was shocked to find it was pleasantly tart and sweet, with hardly any hint of alcohol.
“Can I have one more?” I asked him, giggling.
“Sure thing.”
I stood there in silence for a while, listening to the song, letting the music wash over me, drowning out my thoughts for a few minutes.
Aaron—who I’d honestly forgotten was still there—cleared his throat, wanting my attention back. “Do you want to dance?” He motioned to my body swaying to the music.
I shook my head. “My boyfriend wouldn’t like that very much.”
