“Are you sure? Because I really think we could have some fun together, Hollis,” he says, his eyes making a slow trail down my body.
God, why did my name sound so hot coming out of his mouth? Almost like a soft blanket that I wouldn’t mind wrapping myself up and getting lost in, but no. I’m not that kind of girl. I refuse to be.
Remaining strong, I straighten up. No well-rehearsed line that he likely repeats night after night to whatever woman he meets is enough to make me to change my mind.
“I’m sure we could, but while I appreciate the save, my ex has left, so your services are no longer needed.”
He seems vaguely disappointed. I can practically see the inner debate he’s having with himself on whether to keep going or surrender before finally he releases a breath and nods.
“Well, in that case, it was nice meeting you ladies,” he says, tapping his hand on the bar before taking a step back. “And Hollis...” His eyes meet mine one final time. “If you ever feel like changing your mind and are looking for a little fun, I’m a patient man. I can wait as long as you need. Something tells me you’ll be worth it.” With a final wink he turns and heads toward a group of men.
Before I can even let out a breath Logan is yanking on my arm. “Holy shit! That was hot,” she shrieks. “I can’t believe you turnedthatdown!”
“Right?” Candice asks. “He was so into you.”
“Just like I told him—and Brett—I’m not interested. I came back to Texas to work. That’s it,” I say, doing my best to ignore the way my whole body seems to hum in protest. God, what did he do to me? I’m usually not so easily affected.
“You have your whole life to work, babe. But guys like that? Damn. I can’t believe you let him get away,” Logan says, frowning as she not-so-subtly stares at Mason and his friends—doing a pretty good impression of what Brett looked like before he left.
“Seriously. That would have been a slam dunk, too. God, the way he was looking at you.” Candice fans herself. “Hell, even I feel like I need a cold shower after watching that.”
I wave her off, even if she does have a point. “Can we please just forget about him? And Brett, too? It’s my last night before I start my new job. The only thing I want is to enjoy an evening out with my two favorite people. I’ve missed my girls.”
Okay, so maybe I’m laying it on thick, but it’s not like I don’t mean it.
Maybe it would’ve been nice to blow off some steam and get rid of the new job scaries with a night of hot sex, but this is just as good—better, even. At least this way I won't be waking up in a strange place, being forced to play the whole ‘not interested’game all over again while partaking in the age-old tradition of the walk of shame.
Then again, there’s a good chance I wouldn't have meant anything to him beyond being another notch on his bedpost. He can find someone else for that.
“Alright, fine,” Candice sighs loudly, as if she’s somehow doing me a favor by dropping it. “But for the record, I really think you should have gone for it.”
Thankfully, the conversation switches to Candice’s latest drama at her job. As Logan finally manages to flag down the bartender, my mind drifts back to Mason. Is it possible that I’m wrong and the three of them were right?
I don’t have to ponder for too long though as our shots are finally set down on the bar top. I clink my glass against theirs and do my best to re-frame my priorities.
Guy’s come and go. Jobs too. But these girls have been, and will always be here. Plus, they were totally wrong. They have to be. He would’ve been nothing more than my first mistake back in town.
Without a doubt, in a few days he’ll be nothing more than a distant memory we can laugh about later.
2
Fletcher
“You hear that Fletch got shot down last night?” Hudson, our team’s catcher, announces without a care for who could possibly overhear.
“What?” Jaxon, our first baseman, practically chokes. “Fletch? You can’t possibly mean our Mason Fletcher?” His wide brown eyes move in my direction. “This is fucking historic. We need to make some commemorative T-shirts or something.”
I may be the brunt of the joke, but I’m not worried. As a member of the team it’s practically a rite of passage to get roasted. It’s basically our love language. If they aren’t screwing with you, that’s when you know you need to be concerned.
“I wouldn’t worry about it fellas,” I say as we exit the locker room and head through the tunnel toward the field. “I have a feeling I’ll be running into her again soon, and next time I don’t imagine she’ll be saying no,” I assure them, feigning confidence despite the fact that I’m currently fueled by nothing more than delusion and the power of positive thinking.
Plus, Magnolia Fields is a pretty small town. How hard could it possibly be to stage another run-in? Not only did I meet Hollis there last night, but her ex, too. That has to mean it’s a regular spot for them, and with it being only a thirty-minute drive from Houston, I should be able to make it happen pretty easily.
Some could call that stalking, but I prefer to think of it as offering fate a helping hand.
“I don’t know. She seemed pretty dead-set on turning you down,” Hudson taunts.
“Still not worried about it,” I say, brushing him off, even if the sting of her rejection is still a bit raw.
