This isn’t something I’d normally do, but I’m going to fake confidence until I believe it. I can’t let life just happen to me anymore. I’ll never be happy that way.
Grabbing my phone, I take a deep breath and walk out the door.
You’d think a quiet walk to the bar would’ve been peaceful. Yeah, I thought so too. The only problem with that is, I was left alone with myself.
It would’ve been better to drive. The faster I get there the better. It’sreally hard to pretend to be this confident woman, when the voice in my head tells me otherwise.
I know I can do this.
I know this is probably just my doubt creeping in.
Do I still overthink everything and almost abort the mission? Possibly.
When I arrive, he’s sitting at the bar next to Gavin with his back to me. He’s dressed casually, all black. Jeans with a t-shirt and sneakers. There’s also a black hoodie resting on the back of his chair. It’s probably safe to assume he’d rather be at home than here.
But I can tell the moment he notices me because his shoulders go rigid and he stops talking mid sentence. He doesn’t turn to look at me. If I wasn’t watching his reaction, I wouldn’t have noticed it. I don’t think Gavin notices me, or Atlas’ reaction, but he points to a blonde before laughing and walking away. He and the blonde somehow vanish as I make my way over to the bar top, taking his recently vacated seat.
I didn’t get the chance to acknowledge him as the bartender greets me first. “What can I get for you, pretty little lady?” I swear Atlas growls next to me.
“Two shots of tequila, please.”
The bartender winks at me as he pours two shots.
If Atlas doesn’t leave with me, maybe the cute bartender will.
I reach into my bra to pull out enough cash to pay for the shots but Atlas stops me.
“Put them on my tab.”
The rasp in his voice is a dead giveaway. He wants to say more but he’s holding back. His knuckles whiten as his grip tightens on his beer glass. Is he mad I’m here?
Too bad for him. I came to play.
I want to test my luck and push his fucking buttons.
I shoot a look at the bartender, then flick my eyes to Atlas with the type of grin wild enough to burn shit down.
He reads the look on my face without any confusion, but is he up for it?
Will he help me rile Atlas up just a little more?
He nods quickly, but it’s subtle enough I almost miss it.
“Don’t worry about it, man. With a smile like that, her drinks are on the house,” He smirks and walks off.
I throw back both shots without a wince.
Finally, I turn my attention to Atlas. He’s livid and gorgeous. His eyes follow the bartender. He looks like he’s seconds away from punching him, but I’m not sure why.
Wait a fucking minute.
I know that look.
Is he…?
Did the bartender make him jealous?
Well, poor baby.
