“Blayze?” Krissy reached for her hand. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Um,” she stuttered, trying to regain her composure. “Sure, I’m just fine.”
She picked up her freshly made drink from the counter and gulped a few swallows. She knew it was rude not to acknowledge Colton’s compliment, but if she were being honest, she didn’t know what to say. So she smiled and took another swig. Seemed the only confidence she was going to find was at the bottom of her margarita glass.
Chapter Four
She finished her drink then alerted the bartender that she was ready for another one. Krissy, on the other hand, had yet to take a sip of hers. Blayze hoped she didn’t regret it later, but she needed every bit of courage she could muster. Even if it came in the form of an alcoholic beverage.
Krissy announced that it was her turn to visit the ladies’ room and Blayze bit down on her lower lip.Ugh, of all the times for her to go.How was she going to deal with the awkwardness of being left alone with Colton?
A part of her was ready to shame him for the way he treated her back in the day. She wanted to call him out and say mean things just liked he’d done to her. But she also wanted to be the better person.
Despite the way he’d made her feel, she was stronger now. So much stronger.
Colton decided to break the silence that had formed between them. “So, I guess Krissy forgot all about us or either she got lost.”
“Seems that way, doesn’t it?” She knew she’d had one too much to drink already and saying something harsh, or heaven forbid, slurred, was very likely.
Colton, on the other hand, remained laid back and relaxed. “Can I get you anything? A water maybe?” he asked.
“I thought Shawn was making me another margarita, but yeah, that’d be great.” It was probably a good thing he hadn’t returned yet, considering the way she was feeling. Unless, the heat was the result of being next to Colton and not from the alcohol.
When he turned to get the bartender’s attention, she sneaked a glance at the way Colton’s jeans hugged him in all the right places. Not that he’d ever looked bad, but damn. She’d always considered Colton to be very attractive despite the drama between them, but tonight, she realized that the years had really been good to him. Physically, he’d taken very good care of himself.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back,” he instructed and walked to the end of the bar.
Blayze didn’t want to stare, so she tried to find other things to focus on. She pulled out her phone only to discover her battery was nearly dead. She’d forgotten to charge it earlier and she didn’t like the idea of not being able to call someone later if she wasn’t able to drive. So she stuffed it back inside her purse. From the looks of the crowd at the bar, it was definitely the place to be on a Friday evening.
Colton returned a few minutes later with two bottles of sparkling water. “Apparently Krissy wasn’t feeling very well, and she asked the bartender to let us know that she was going to take a cab home. I guess they’re friends or something.”
“Oh, no.” She brought her hand up to her mouth. They’d hardly finished chatting. “I hope she’s okay.”
She didn’t want to jump to conclusions. Perhaps Krissy really was feeling bad, but it sure was coincidental that she left not long after Colten got there. The least she could’ve done was stopped by to say goodnight. She’d thoroughly enjoyed her company.
“So, how long are you in town?” Colton asked above the crowd.
“I’m planning on heading back Monday morning. Figured I’d spend the day with my parents on Sunday, you know, do the church thing, then get a good night’s sleep before I head out.”
He leaned in closer, resting his arm comfortably against hers. “Maybe we can get together Sunday afternoon or something.”
She was shocked at the words coming from Colton’s mouth. Hopefully her faced didn’t reveal as much. Surely, she’d not heard him correctly.
“I…I’m…not sure. Maybe.” She felt tongue-tied. Colton Burns wanted to spend time with her? Was he for real or was this another ploy to get back at her? She’d like to think he’d ‘outgrown’ his mean-boy tactics from when they were kids, but she didn’t want to let her guard down so easily. “Let me think about it.”
“Sure, no problem. No pressure or anything.” He winked then lifted the bottle to his mouth.
Blayze shifted in her seat. Not because he made her uncomfortable but there was a strong urge to lean closer to him. The last thing she wanted to do was send him mixed signals.
“It’s really late and I should probably be getting back to my hotel.” She pulled her phone out again and winced when she saw that she had less than ten percent battery life left. Whatever she planned to do, she needed to be quick. “Do you recommend calling a cab or an Uber? Since I’ve had a few drinks, I’d feel better not getting out on the highway.”
“Neither,” Colton quickly admitted. “Let me take you.”
She stared at him in disbelief. Had someone told her ten years ago she’d be accepting a ride with Colton Burns, she’d have laughed in their face. Not no, but hell no! Here she was, though, considering taking him up on his offer. Her hotel wasn’t that far, but…
What was the world coming to? She really had had too much to drink!
She shook her head, not wanting to inconvenience him in any way. “No, I’ll be okay. Besides, it’s late and you’re probably ready to get home yourself.”
