I wasn’t even sure I liked the man.
Not really. I mean, he was hot, and interesting to talk to, but there was no chance of a future there. He had his own issues, and clearly, they were strong enough that sticking around wasn’t an option.
“Well, maybe if you’re lucky, this guy will be better than the last two.”
“Highly unlikely,” I sighed.
JR walked away as someone at the end of the bar signaled him. I stared at the bottles on the shelves, reading all the labels out of sheer boredom. Glancing down at my watch, I only had five minutes until my date was supposed to show up.
And honestly, I wasn’t really sure I wanted him to. My life was such a mess right now, and with everything going on around town—the rumors and gossip constantly spreading about me—I wasn’t sure it was worth it to chance it with someone new.
“You know, I heard somewhere that Friday was the best night to go out on a date.”
A small smile tilted my lips, but I refused to let it slip free. Turning on my stool, I looked up at Ryder, cocking my head at him.
“Interesting. I heard that Tuesdays and Thursdays were the best nights for dates.”
“And yet no one is here,” he said, looking around the nearly empty bar. “Is this seat taken?”
I should say no. After all, I was supposed to be meeting a date. But instead, I found myself shaking my head.
His smiling eyes found my drink. “Interesting choice. Are you daydreaming about being on vacation somewhere?”
“Nope. Just wanted something different. The umbrella makes the drink.”
“Is that so?” he said, grinning at me. “I might have to try that.”
“I think you’d like it.”
“That’s highly unlikely, but I’m always up to trying new things.”
He flagged down JR. “Give me what she’s having.”
“Would you like a pink umbrella, too?” JR asked, quirking his eyebrow at Ryder.
I nearly burst out laughing.
“Don’t be silly. Real men don’t like pink. Make it blue.”
Chuckling, I couldn’t help the smile that seemed permanently sealed on my lips from the moment he sat down. My eyes roamed over his suit, how it was unbuttoned at the top and his tie was pulled loose. It was different from what he normally wore around here, which begged the question, why was he wearing it?
He nodded, as if reading my thoughts. “I made it all the way to the airport. I almost got on the plane before I realized something.”
“Yeah? What was that?”
He sucked in a heavy breath. “That I didn’t really want to go back to New York. Not yet, at least.”
“And your first stop was The Beaver and Boot?”
“Well, it is Thursday night.”
“It is,” I agreed.
“And I figured that I might as well check out whoever you might be meeting.”
“How do you know I’m meeting anyone?”
He leaned back, taking in my tight, black dress that came down just below my knees. The only reason I could get away with wearing this thing was because of the shapewear I had on underneath.
