“I’ll grab us drinks,” Cat says over the music as we push into Bounce. “You find a table.”
I check out the crowded room, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the low lighting. The place is packed three-deep to the bar, which runs down the left hand side. The right wall is exposed brick, lined with tables and red vinyl booths—not one of which is free.
“Where?” I ask, turning back towards Cat, but she’s already making her way to the bar.
Right, okay. Find a seat somewhere. I can do that.
But as I glance around, that prickly feeling of self-consciousness crawls over me again, like it did in Starbucks. I feel as if everyone can sense I don’t belong here. I know this isn’t a classy bar, but the women justlookdifferent from the women back home—more cool, more comfortable with themselves, more at ease. I have the strong urge to turn and run back to the apartment.
No, I tell myself. This is my first night in New York, and I’m not going to run away just because I feel stupid. I flew all the way over here on my own, navigating the bloody Houston airport during my layover and dealing with a delayed flight. I caught a taxi on my own, I handled the whole apartment debacle. Well, I didn’t exactlyhandleit but I got through it, for now. In the past twenty-four hours I’ve done more things that scare me than I have in the past fiveyears.I can manage a little drink in a bar. I just have to hold my head up and pretend I belong.
I spy a booth opening up down the back. Taking a deep breath, I push my way through the crowd, elbowing a few guys out the way, and slide in as my soles tingle with relief. Why did I wear heels? My feet are killing me after walking here at Cat’s breakneck pace.
A cute guy emerges from the crowd and his eyes swivel in my direction, his face breaking into a grin. I glance behind me to see who he’s grinning at, then I realize it’s me.
Oh.
“Hey,” he says, sliding into the booth next to me. He has messy, dirty-blond hair, brown eyes, and a very cheeky smile. I’m instantly drawn to him, but that sets my internal alarm bells off. The last man I was drawn to dumped me in a parking lot on my birthday.
“Uh, hi.”
“I’m Cory.” He extends his hand and I shake it.
“Alex. Nice to meet you.”
He cocks his head as I speak. “Where are you from?”
“New Zealand.” There’s a glimmer of pride in my chest as I say that. I might feel like a dork with my accent, but I know New Zealand as a country holds up pretty well overseas, what with the gorgeous scenery and Peter Jackson and the All Blacks and everything.
“That’s awesome,” he says, and I swoon at his deep American accent. I’m a sucker for it, actually. I don’t know how I’m not going to jump into bed with every American man that pays me attention. Maybe moving here was a terrible idea.
I run my eyes over him. He’s tall and in good shape—I can see that through his fitted T-shirt. I’m pretty sure he’s flirting with me, with that look in his eye, and I’m not going to lie—I could use a little boost right now.
Look, I’m not hideous, I know that. I’ve got caramel-brown shoulder-length hair that has a natural wave to it, hazel eyes, and a heart-shaped face with a peaches and cream complexion. I’ve been told many times that I’m pretty, even if I wish I was a bit skinnier. But I’m lucky in some ways, because I’m tallish—five foot seven—and I have an hourglass figure and carry my weight on my hips and bust. So while I’m not slim, I’ve mostly made my peace with my curves.
But, you know. Getting dumped has a way of making a girl feel a bit down on herself. And moving to this city hasn’t helped.
Cory grins, leaning closer, and I blush under his flirtatious gaze. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten this kind of attention and I’d forgotten how fun it is. And even though I know better, I lean closer too.
“Cory! Get away from her!” Cat appears at the table, clutching two drinks. “Isthiswhere you’ve been? I had to wait at the bar for ages.” She scowls as she slides into the other side of the booth.
Oh. Shit.
Realization rolls over me and my face warms. I quickly slide away from him.
“This is my brother. I see you’ve already met,” Cat says, glaring at Cory.
“I didn’t know she was your friend,” he mumbles.
I laugh, raising my hands. “It’s okay. No harm done.” I lean closer to Cat, speaking under my breath. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I had no idea he was your brother.”
That was close. One minute I tell Cat I’m not interested in meeting anyone, the next I’m nearly shacking up with her brother. I need to get a grip.
“It’s okay. He can’t help himself.” She throws Cory a look of exasperation. “Don’t you have someworkto do?”
He shrinks, sliding out of the booth. “I’ll catch you later, Alex.”
I give him a nod and reach for my wine, while Cat waves to someone across the bar.
