In the meantime, I stared at William taking charge of the bar. I’d never seen him in this context before, and it was another turn-on I could add to my list. He was firm with his directions, giving each person he was speaking to his undivided attention and cracking one of his rare, dazzling smiles intermittently. The confidence he emitted seemed to make everyone around him listen and want to do better. He was a natural leader, and I sighed, looking back at Luke twiddling on his phone. I hated that he might be my first, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
Eventually, Luke attempted to make conversation without ever asking me a single question about myself. I chugged the rest of my drink, hoping it would make time go by faster and dull my IQ a few points.
William’s large hand appeared in front of me with a refilled glass. I slowly raked my gaze over his rough fingers and corded forearms until I met his eyes.
“May I join you?” William didn’t wait for a response and sat on the other side of me.
Luke let his arm fall over my shoulders again, and I shifted uncomfortably. William narrowed his eyes on the act and scowled.
He slid my mixed drink closer, and I grasped it appreciatively.
William pointed his index finger with his hand still wrapped around a whisky glass toward Luke’s neck. “Mind if I ask what that tattoo means?”
Luke smugly smiled. “It’s a psalm I just picked out of the Bible at random.”
William sipped his drink. “Are you religious?”
“God, no.”
“What does it mean?”
“No idea.”
William looked at me like I could do better, and I crossed my arms. I know Luke sucks, but William doesn’t have to rub my face in it.
Luke motioned his chin at William. “Where are you from, man?”
“Scotland.”
“How do you know Nairie?”
“I’m Elspeth’s brother.”
“Elspeth?”
I stared at Luke in shock. “You just met her at the bar ten minutes ago. I told you she’s my best friend.”
William looked over at me, and I felt pinned under his stare.
“Oh my god. Is that BellaBoo329? She must have seen my tag from my story.” Luke quickly slid out of the booth and walked over to a girl dressed like Y2K Paris Hilton.
William looked at me over his glass. “So that’s Luke.”
I sank in my seat. “Yeah. I know what you’re going to say.”
William raised his eyebrow.
“You want his discount code for anal bleaching. It’s Luke200.”
William barked out a laugh. It was truly my favorite thing. Not a lot could make this man smile like that.
I sipped on my drink and looked everywhere but at William. I could feel his eyes watching me, and my nerves started to build. We were sitting dangerously close to each other in the tiny booth, so private and perfectlyhidden away.
His voice was softer now. “Why are you so wiry?”
“I’m not, just taking everything in. I love coming here.”
I looked at the stuffed deer heads on the wall and posters of Lindsey’s favorite soccer teams.
