Page 52
“Nah, she usually stays till closing. Later if there’s a lock-in.” Leesa separated the last two glasses.
Oliver fussed with the knot of his tie, trying to recall if he’d ever—nope. An occasional drinker, he’d never taken part in a pub’s lock-in after hours. Would Georgie find that a turn-off?
No doubt about it, she was a magnet for fun and adventure. Wherever she went, whatever she was doing—teaching, brainstorming, answering fan mail—Georgie seemed to make the most of it and have a great time, an enviable gift that Oliver lacked, but oh, how he wished things were different—wished he were different. The desire to be playful and lighthearted like Georgie panged in his chest.
“So, how’d you meet?” he asked Leesa. “Are you a teacher as well?”
She made a face. “God, no. Kids drive me up the wall. I’m an electrician.”
“Really? I’ve never met a female electrician before.”
“That’s because there’s not a lot of us—yet!” Leesa picked up the pitcher of beer. “I work for my family’s business. It’s great, most of the time. I can’t wait for the day when I run the entire thing.” She poured the amber ale into two glasses and nudged one toward Oliver. “And as for Georgie girl, we met watching the Leafs. Our season seats are behind hers.”
“How long have you had yours?”
“Since 1989. Me and my brother.” Leesa raised her glass. “To the Leafs winning the Cup before I die!”
Oliver met her halfway. “Cheers.”
They both drank in silence. Oliver fretted over what to say next. Small talk had never been his strong point.
Leesa glanced over her shoulder. Seemed like she’d run out of conversation starters, too.
“Listen, if you want to dance, I can look after everyone’s belongings,” said Oliver.
Waving her hand, Leesa shook her head. “It’s not my thing. The others, you’d practically have to pull the fire alarm to get them off the dance floor.” She sipped her beer. “But don’t let my two left feet stop you.”
“Oh, it’s not my thing either.”
“Good! I was starting to feel outnumbered—”
“You’re here!” Georgie rounded the waist-high wall with Kaitlin and a male friend in tow. Glistening with perspiration, she wore a black velvet dress with a scoop neckline and long fluted sleeves.
And stole Oliver’s breath.
She’s stunning. A giddy flutter frolicked in his chest, and for a moment, all the angst about entering Will’s sports bar was worth it. He bolted from the booth, eager to greet her.
Georgie grinned. “I thought you’d changed your mind.”
“No, I got caught in the queue.”
Shoulders drooping, she frowned. “I’m so sorry! The guy out there was supposed to look out for you and bring you straight in. I gave him your name and a description of your coat and scarf.”
“That dude’s useless.” Leesa wriggled along the curved banquette, making room for their friends. “He’s too busy flirting with everyone.”
“Next time, sneak through the back like we do,” said Kaitlin, adjusting the draped neckline of her shimmery top as she settled in beside Leesa.
Next time? Oliver gulped. Conspicuously darting around servers, and perhaps Will? He painted on a grin. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
“It’s fine! We do it all the time.” Still smiling, Georgie’s gaze skimmed over his dress shirt and charcoal-hued trousers. “So can you stay for a bit? Let me buy you a drink.”
“He’s got one.” Leesa raised hers with a sassy half-laugh. “We started without you.”
“Well, next one is on me, ’kay?” Georgie’s hand landed gently on his upper arm.
Goosebumps raced toward her touch, which…departed too quickly for Oliver’s liking.
She glanced sidelong, directing her attention to the guy in jeans and a partially unbuttoned shirt beside her. “Oliver, meet Randall, Leesa’s twin.”
