Chapter 4
4
“ L et’s get a few things straight,” I announce, leaning forward at our unofficially official table at High Five. “I am not, under any circumstances, going to fuck a leprechaun.”
The girls burst into laughter, nearly spitting out their drinks.
“Who’s asking you to?” Emily gasps, still laughing, her drink sloshing dangerously close to the table’s edge.
“You got Santa,” I remind her, smirking. “Sarah got Cupid. And next up is a leprechaun, which is a firm no from me.”
“What if he has a pot of gold?” Emily teases, raising an eyebrow.
“Or can grant three wishes,” Sarah adds, her chuckle joining Emily’s.
I shake my head, deadpan. “Not even if he could give me a billion wishes and a private island.”
Sarah leans in, smirking. “Well, a short king would still be tall compared to you.”
“This short girl likes tall guys,” I remind them, giving Sarah a playful nudge.
My eyes scan the bar hoping Mr. Rawr—definitely not a short king or a leprechaun—makes an appearance. Green streamers and shamrocks decorate the ceiling and walls, making the place look as cheesy and festive as always for these themed events. Not as over-the-top as the last couple of holiday pop-ups, but still enough to remind you it’s St. Paddy’s. The music’s loud, the drinks are flowing, and Mr. Rawr is on my mind.
“Look at her,” Emily says. “When was the last time she looked this excited?”
“Catch a girl up!” Sarah says, noticing the shift in my body language.
“There’s this guy,” I say, unable to suppress a smile. “I asked him to come here. He’s staying at the Dubois house.”
Sarah lets out a mock gasp. “Big money … a pot of gold! That’s a St. Patrick’s Day reference!” She cracks herself up, clearly pleased with the connection.
While I’m laughing with her, my eyes are again on the door.
Was I being too obvious yesterday? Probably. Mr. Rawr is worth it. He’s hot, but there’s something else too. The way he looked at me … it wasn’t just the typical hey, you’re hot glance. There was this uncertainty, this mix of fear and interest, like he was both scared shitless and intrigued all at once. It was cute, in a shy, quiet sort of way. I love nerds, not that I go for them as much as I should though.
Emily nudges me, breaking through my thoughts. “You never get this worked up over guys.”
“Worked up?” I squint then wave a hand dismissively. “Please, I’m as cool as a cucumber.”
Sarah shoots me a skeptical look, eyebrow raised. “Sure, that’s why you’ve been checking the door every five seconds.”
I squint at both of them, unwilling to give in to their teasing. They know me too well, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let on how much I want him to show up. My heart rate elevates when I think about seeing him again, but I play it cool, sipping my drink.
Our favorite bartender and Sarah’s new boyfriend, Aaron, slides over to our table. He sets a pitcher of water down in front of us. “Remember, ladies, today is a marathon, not a sprint.”
We all laugh, but as soon as Aaron walks off, I see him . I loudly inhale, my breath catching. There he is—Mr. Rawr—walking through the door like a damn dream.