“Other than extreme discomfort, confusion, and an inability to understand why you want to have drinks with me? Not at all.”
“Good. Let’s get out of here.”
I stood there slack-jawed while he carried my purse through the store. He didn’t seem to care at all about my concerns. If anything, it only amused him. And here I was, a frazzled mess, overthinking everything about what was going on tonight.
Hustling behind him, I tried to reason with him. “I have avocado on my shirt!”
“Half the people in the bar have something on their shirts. You’ll fit right in,” he called over his shoulder.
Flipping the sign to closed, he pulled the door open and waited patiently for me to get my ass in gear and realize there was no way out of this. So, I grabbed my keys and coat, then headed out into the bitter cold. I slung my coat over my shoulders just as he led me over to his cruiser, opening the passenger door for me.
“Why does this feel like an ominous note for tonight?” I grumbled.
A small chuckle left his lips as he leaned in. “Don’t worry. I won’t be slapping handcuffs on you. Yet.”
I flushed in embarrassment as he slammed the door closed. I didn’t get why he was flirting with me or why I kind of liked it. Was I that upset over Sam’s lack of attention that I’d take anything thrown at me?
“Tonight’s gonna be good,” he grinned as he got in, reversing out of the spot.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I have the smartest lady in town with me.”
That was an odd thing to say, but I didn’t bother arguing. Instead, I let the multitude of possibilities run rampant through my brain at a hundred miles an hour for the very short drive to the bar.
It was packed tonight, and Maverick had to park at the very back of the lot.
“I’ve never seen so many people at The Beaver and Boot at one time.”
“That’s because tonight’s trivia night,” he grinned. “Ready?”
Not that he waited for an answer. He was by my side in seconds, hauling me out of the car.
Nerves skittered down my spine with every step we took. Soon enough, that door to the bar would open and everyone would see I was with Maverick. What was I going to do then? The gossip mill would start churning, and then I’d really be sunk, battered with questions non-stop that there was no way I could even fathom answering.
But all too soon, those doors swung open and we stepped inside. Everyone turned to see who the newcomers were, but thankfully, in the next second, the microphone was picked up by none other than the bar owner.
“Welcome, everyone, to tonight’s first-ever trivia event! I know you’ve all been dying to use those little gray cells for something other than ranching, so let’s get started!”
My heart skipped a beat in excitement and my eyes widened as I realized how fun this night was going to be. “A trivia event,” I whispered.
“Right up your alley,” Maverick grinned. “I reserved us a spot.”
He pointed to the front where a table sat empty with a reserved sign on it. I hardly noticed the other patrons as my belly filled with excitement as Maverick took my hand and guided me to a table, signaling for JR. This was so thrilling. I’d never been to anything like this, but it reminded me of my days in school when we’d have trivia games before a big test.
“I thought you might enjoy this.”
“It’s so awesome. Who thought of it?”
“Not sure, but the prize is five hundred dollars. Help me win that and half is yours.”
My smile froze on my face as I realized something. “Wait, so this isn’t a date?”
Flushing, he ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nah, sorry about leading you on.”
“Oh, thank God!” I gushed as relief burst through me. “Not that you aren’t a fine catch, but I’ve been going insane since you suggested we get drinks. I thought you were really interested in me, and then I’d have to find a way to let you down easy.”
His eyebrow quirked up in amusement. “So, you’re saying you wouldn’t date me?”
