Page 33 of Tanner

I look away in embarrassment at the crude joke.

Tanner chuckles beside me. “You’re losing your touch, old man.”

“Eh, what do you know? Whatcha having, kid?” Paul asks as he places a cocktail napkin and a pen in front of Tanner.

“I’ll have a glass of Sullivans Cove and one for the lady.”

The bartender smirks and then looks to me and back to Tanner. “You buying hers, too?”

A small laugh escapes his lips. “Yeah, I’ll buy.”

“I knew there was hope for this generation,” Paul mutters as he pours the drinks. “These guys come in here and hit on women without offering to buy them a drink. It’s a shame.” He shakes his head as he puts the whiskey away.

I grin but try to hide my happiness that Tanner is sitting here, next to me. I sit up straight and thank the bartender.

Tanner places an elbow on the oak and turns to me, speaking over his shoulder, “Tell me, Paul, if I were to approach a beautiful woman at a bar, what should I say to her?”

Paul looks at Tanner like he’s impossible to deal with. “Come here often still works.”

“I think I’ve heard that one before.” Tanner’s mouth quirks up as he asks me, “Come here often?”

My eyes widen at the silly pick-up line. I used it on him the first night we met. I didn’t really care at the time. I just wanted to use him to get to Aaron. “First time.”

He nods, taking a drink and looking around the bar.

Okay, if we’re pretending we don’t know each other, then I guess I can play along.

“What about you?” I swallow, feeling silly. “Come here often?” I ask with a small tug to my lips.

“I’m a regular. See that building over there? I have a studio on the top floor.”

I look around, taking the place in, and shrug. “Seems kind of laid-back. I’m more of a suit kind of girl.”

He laughs lightly, keeping his elbow on the bar and bringing the glass up to his lips, taking the drink as he tries to hide his smile.

“Yet there’s something about me you like. I bet it’s the hair,” he says nonchalantly.

“No, actually, I’m not a huge fan.” I laugh slightly.

His eyebrows rise. “Interesting. Most girls are.”

“Well, that’s great that the girls like it, but maybe women like men who are more clean-cut,” I tease.

He lets out a loud laugh. “Oh, do they now? So, you’re telling me you’re not like any other girls?” He reaches for my wineglass, moving it to the other side of him, and places the glass of Sullivans Cove in front of me. “Girls drink wine. Women handle whiskey.”

I raise a brow. “Is that right?”

Our eyes meet as he raises his glass and lets it hover by his mouth. I meet his challenge and raise my own. We clink glasses, and I keep a steady gaze as the amber liquid runs down my throat, leaving a smooth burn in its wake.

His tongue peeks out and skims his lower lip.

I lean in with a whisper. “Maybe I need a change of pace, and clean-cut is overrated.”

His wet lips glide into a Cheshire cat smile. “Dangerously overrated.”

“So, do I get your name? I want to thank you properly for the drink.”

“Name’s Tanner. Tanner Sexton.” He holds out his hand.