“You know, you’re really good at this.”
“That’s why I work here instead of at the pharmacy.”
“But at the pharmacy, you could talk to Bud all day long,” I chuckled. “Just think of all the pregnancy questions you could ask him.”
JR’s eyes flicked to mine momentarily before he continued. “I’m pretty sure I would go to a doctor for that.”
He slid the drink in front of me, waiting for me to try it.
“But…there’s no umbrella.”
“Sorry, all out.”
I sighed heavily, taking my first sip. It was really good, but I had the feeling it wasn’t quite as good as it could be if it had an umbrella.
“How long are you gonna wait for this one?”
The judgment in his voice had me narrowing my eyes at him. “Maybe I’m not waiting for anyone. Maybe I’m here on Josie’s behalf, making sure you don’t get into any trouble since you’ve deemed the bar a dangerous place for her.”
“It’s filled with alcohol,” he said. “Why on earth would a pregnant woman be at the bar?”
“To keep you company. To keep me company as I wait for another date who will stand me up.”
“Your friend is already at home in bed.”
“Beer,” Ryder said, scaring the shit out of me as he took a seat on the stool beside me.
“Geez, make a little noise,” I muttered, taking a sip from my straw.
“What is that?”
“It’s an umbrella drink.”
His brows furrowed as he stared at the glass. “There’s no?—”
“I know!” I practically screamed, though I wasn’t sure why. Irritation that I didn’t have an umbrella? Being in the vicinity of my childhood bully? An irrational need to drag him to my lips and kiss him despite the fact that he drove me insane?
JR popped the top and slid it over to Ryder.
“So—”
But before I could continue my conversation with JR, he walked away, leaving me alone with the sexy spawn of Satan.
“Who’s it tonight?” he asked, spinning on his seat to survey the crowd.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, it’s Tuesday, and ever since I told you my theory on dating on weeknights, you’ve been coming here on those days. Which means you think there’s a valid point to my theory.”
“Maybe I just had a bad day and needed a drink.”
“Seems to be going around,” he muttered just before taking a sip of his beer.
I scanned the bar for my date, irritated that he wasn’t here yet, leaving me alone with my nemesis, who didn’t seem so much like my nemesis.
Sighing, the man turned back to the bar and stared at his drink. He seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I actually found myself feeling bad for him.
“So, have you figured out what you’re going to do now that you’re here?”
