“Hey, sugar. What can you dream up for me?”
She’s bold in the absolute best way. I’m inspired simply by being in her presence.
He grins, eyes dipping down for a fleeting moment over her low-cut top.
“I’ve got something really special you’re gonna like, sweetheart.” He winks at her.
I can’t place his accent, but it’s distinctly foreign. He turns away to make our drinks.
“Wowza,” Mel whispers, leaning toward me. “Isn’t he yum?”
I nod. “He looks like your type.”
I survey the rest of the crowd.
Do I really want to hook up with someone random tonight for the first time ever?
I’m about to turn back to the bartender to ask for a drink to quell my nerves.
Then, I seehim. He’s over in the corner booth, lounging back against the scarlet leather like he might actually own this place. He’s got inky-black hair with perfect tousled waves, like he just ran a hand through it. His jawline could have been sculpted by Michelangelo himself. His dark suit with a deep red silk tie has been loosened at the neck, and I want to run my fingers over the stingy inch of his chest exposed.
And he’s staring right at me.
My lungs stop bringing me life-giving oxygen as his eyes scrape over me from head to toe. I’ll surely suffocate if I can’t focus on the task, so I jerk my gaze away.
That one. That one,is all I can think, over and over.
If I go anywhere with anyone tonight, it’s gotta be that man.
“See anyone we like?” Mel asks, sipping on the fuchsia drink Man Bun set in front of us.
I shrug, debating on whether or not I should risk another peek over to the gorgeous mystery man in the corner.
Mel gasps. “Oh my gosh, do you see that grumpy Henry Cavill look-a-like in the back booth?” She latches on to my elbow, her voice lit with excitement. “He is the most beautiful human I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
I follow her gaze back over to him.
His eyes have left me, and I feel bereft. He’s now looking at the man standing in front of him, who is excitedly gesturing with his hands. The sexy one sitting down is clearly bored with the speaker.
Go give him something to do.
Yikes, this drink is strong.
His eyes look like the type that could freeze you in place with their intensity.
“You have to go for him! You have nothing to lose.” Mel’s nails are cutting into my arm.
My friend is the type to jump first and hope the parachute is hooked up correctly. I realized long ago that I am the self-preserving companion she needs.
I scoff, taking a sip of my liquid courage as I face back forward. “Nothing to lose but my dignity.”
Mel turns back to me, a spark in her dark eyes. “Okay, missy, I will not hear this. You are hot, and thanks to me, your hair is the perfect shade of sunshine blonde. You need to forget your troubles from this morning, and that is the man to wipe away any despicable memory ofStephen.” She spits his name out at the end of her pep talk.
I down my drink, signaling the bartender. He obliges immediately. Smooth jazz music pours over us from a little band tucked away in the corner. Before I know it, the second glass is empty too.
Mel is chatting away with the flirtatious barkeep, who serves me a refill with a handsome smirk on his face. I’m nodding along as she describes to him my unfortunate day and the fact that I’m here to forget about my résumé circulating the web as we speak. My mind wanders to a wild scenario of the man in the booth actually approaching me.
Another look toward the corner reveals the suit leaning forward, a stern expression on his face as he delivers what seems to be a reprimand to the speaker across from him. In my mind, he’s telling me what piece of furniture to bend over on.
