Page 2 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

She throws her head back and laughs. I can’t help laughing too, but when I glance over Sarah’s shoulder, he’s still watching. Only now there’s a smirk on his face, like he enjoyed seeing me laugh.

Heat crawls up the back of my neck.

“I’m doing this once and never again,” I say, looking at Sarah.

“That’s my girl!” She smiles.

I straighten, smooth out my T-shirt and wipe my hands on my jeans. I weave through the tables and throngs of people hovering around the TVs until I’m standing right in front of him.

“What can I get you?” I say, looking right at him.

His eyes are already on me. They’re dark brown and calm. Up close, I notice his dark hair pushed back from his face, the trimmed beard along a strong jaw, and the dark suit he’s wearing. His white shirt is open at the collar. He looks expensive and completely unbothered by the fact that he’s staring. Suddenly, I feel a little self-conscious standing here.

“Whiskey neat, doll.”

Are you serious? Doll?

“Got it,” I say, already turning away.

His hand catches my wrist, and I glance down at where his massive hand is wrapped around it.

“You wanna remove that before I kick you in the nuts?” I say through my teeth.

He lets go immediately and raises his hands in mock innocence.

“I was giving you this back.” He holds up my pen, waving it between his fingers.

My face goes red.

I snatch it from him and mutter, “Thanks,” before retreating toward the bar.

“No problem, doll,” he calls after me.

I duck behind the bar and set the tray down a little harder than necessary, and Sarah is instantly in front of me.

“Well?” she demands.

I grab a glass and reach for the whiskey bottle.

“Well what?” I say.

Her eyes narrow. “What happened?”

“Nothing happened,” I mutter.

She folds her arms. “Katie.”

I pour the whiskey.

“He ordered a drink.”

“That’s it?” she says.

“That’s it.”

Her face falls in disappointment.

“You walked all the way over there for a whiskey neat?”