She rolls her eyes at me. “That’s just your nice way of saying I’m trying to be famous without even trying.”
“What?” Now I’m confused.
“God, forget my ex. You sound like my parents. Forcing me to make a living doing something I don’t want to do.”
“I thought you were a massage therapist?”
Caroline waves me off, her pink nails catching in the low light of the bar. “It’s not what I want to be. Not really.”
“An influencer.” I keep my tone light, hoping not to dig myself into a deeper hole.
“Now you’re just humoring me.” Pink colors her cheeks, like she’s getting worked up.
God, I’m messing up this conversation. I don’t know where I took a turn into a dangerous territory, but it’s not going well.
“I’m not.” I hold up my hands, trying to calm her down. “Only trying to learn more about you.”
Caroline reaches into a small black bag and pulls out her wallet. “I don’t think this is going to work.”
“What? You’ve only been here for”—I glance at my watch, noting the time—“ten minutes.”
“And do you really see this working?” She quirks a perfectly manicured brow at me.
“Uhh…”
“See? You don’t either. Bye, Nick.”
She drops a twenty on the table, gulps down the remainder of her wine, and leaves.
“Bye?” It’s more of a question, because what the fuck just happened?
Chapter Five
BEXLEY
Watching a train wreck would be less painful than what I’m watching now. When I bumped into Nick and he said he was on a date, I couldn’t help peeking over my glass of wine and watching him.
I know I shouldn’t. I should let him have his own time. Maybe he’s meeting the person he’s supposed to be with.
I can’t say the same about me. At least his date came. Mine sent a text after I arrived saying he wouldn’t be joining me tonight because his fish was sick.
His fish.
Grow a pair and if you don’t want to come, just tell me.
Was he intimidated by me? The number of times I’ve heard this isn’t anything new. I’ve got a thick skin because of it.
Which, judging by what I’m watching, might not be the case for Nick. It’s only been a couple of minutes and I think his date is already leaving for the night.
I don’t think that could have gone worse.
“Need anything else?” the bartender asks me.
“I’ll take another glass and whatever that man is having.” I point behind me to Nick.
“Coming right up.”
I wait as he pours our drinks and passes them over.
