Chapter 2 #2
“That’s a dangerous question to ask us on this particular night.”
His look changed from flirtation to curiosity, back to flirtation as his attention focused on Evie.
“I’m listening,” he responded.
“Oh, you don’t want the dirty details, trust me. Just know that if you really want to give me what I want, it’ll have to be after hours. What time do you get off?”
And now I knew what kind of night we were going to be having.
Evie was in that kind of mood. Obviously, Gregory really pissed her off this time, maybe enough for her to end it.
She wasn’t a cheater. For her to offer herself up to a stranger wasn’t completely out of character, but she wouldn’t do it while in a relationship, no matter how casual it was.
“I’m Evie, by the way, and this is my bestie, Maryellen.
” She reached across the bar even further and shook his hand while he nodded at me.
His attention went immediately back to Evie.
And I get it, she was hot. She was sexy and sultry in a Hollywood actress type of way with her hourglass shape and long straight dark hair.
Her presence commanded attention in any room she was in.
“Well, Evie, my name is Declan, and lucky for you, I get off work in about an hour. Until then, can I get you ladies a drink?”
She continued talking to him once she gave him our order, probably making plans for later.
It now appeared our night together wouldn’t be as late as I thought if she was going to be heading out with him, which was fine.
It was a Tuesday after all. Leaning against the bar, I scanned the people surrounding us and noticed no one I recognized, which gave me a measure of comfort.
“Here ya go,” a voice said behind me.
Declan placed a glass of white wine on the shiny wood in front of me. His warm smile made me happy for Evie; he seemed nice.
“You OK if I head out with him when he gets off?” she asked.
“That’s a rhetorical question, right?”
She laughed, both of us knowing I had no say in it. But she did want to make sure I was OK getting home alone. We always knew we would Uber home at times like this.
“Text me when you get home?” she asked.
“Yep, I will. In the meantime, let’s enjoy what time we have together.”
We grabbed our things and roamed around a bit, making our way to the back of the bar where the games were.
It was standing room only, but there were some darts happening as well as pool.
I was no pool shark, but I enjoyed a game of darts now and then.
As I stood watching a game take place, I made eye contact with one of the guys playing, and he smiled.
“Wanna play?” he asked when he got closer.
He was cute. He had striking blue eyes and short light brown hair that was almost shaven on the sides and stuck up a bit on top.
He had the look of a guy who knew he was good-looking but wasn’t cocky about it.
Just confident. Since he was in jeans and a hoodie, it was hard to gauge his age, but I placed him around mine.
“Sure,” I said.
Next thing I knew I was three drinks in and four games ahead of my opponent, whose name was Garrett. His friends were invested in our tournament, betting on me to come out ahead.
My phone buzzed against my ass.
“Your friend taking off?” Garrett asked.
“Uh, yeah, she’s meeting up with someone.
” Looking around, I decided it might be time I headed out as well.
I didn’t want to give Garrett the wrong idea by hanging out too late with him.
There had been a passing hand on my back here and there, and it wasn’t what I was looking for tonight.
“I think I’m gonna head out myself. It was nice meeting you, Garrett.
Thanks for letting me play.” He shook my outstretched hand as his smile faltered.
I reached for my coat and bag and started for the front of the bar. As I maneuvered through the crowd, I knew he was following me.
“Maryellen,” he said as he reached for my hand to stop me. I pivoted toward him and saw his lips turn into an adorable smile. “Can I at least get your number?”
He was hard to say no to, and there was no harm in exchanging numbers. Once we did, he continued walking me to the door.
“How are you getting home? I mean, since you’re alone,” Garrett said.
“I’ve called an Uber.”
The entrance was crowded with people waiting to get in and trying to leave. The crowd pushed against us, so Garrett pulled us both out the main door onto the sidewalk.
“What are you doing? It’s freezing out here and you don’t have a coat,” I said.
“I didn’t even wear one, I don’t live far. Besides, there’s no way I’m letting you wait out here alone for your car.”
Huh, maybe he was more of a nice guy than I gave him credit for. Looking at the app on my phone, my car should arrive in two minutes.
“Tonight was fun, I’m glad you asked me to play,” I said.
He pulled his hood over his head as a genuine smile spread across his face.
“It was fun. And you’re scary good at darts. I’m gonna get my ass chewed out when I go back in there, ya know, but it was worth it. Maybe we can do this again? Can I use that number you gave me and actually call you?”
He reached out and pulled the hood of my coat over my head, making sure to tuck my long hair in as well.
“Maryellen?”
That voice.
Garrett and I both turned at the sound of my name.
I couldn’t believe he was here. What were the chances?
“Maryellen, what are you doing here?” he asked. “And who is this?” His gaze went to Garrett’s hand as it left the side of my cheek.
I froze as I stared at him. Because he had some nerve asking me what he just asked, considering his hand was attached to someone else’s. Some red-haired girl I’d never seen before. She looked more uncomfortable than I did at his questions. As well as his tone.
Garrett must have sensed my nervousness, because he grabbed hold of a finger on my right hand and tugged it gently. As if trying to let me know he was there for me.
“Hi, Chase,” I said.