Chapter 2 #2
Jenny remained undeterred. “Since we’re both stuck in this random hotel anyway, we should hang out tonight!
I’ll show you some of the hot spots around here.
Unless you had something… more relaxing in mind?
No?” She nudged his shoulder with hers. “Come on, Brooks! Live a little. What happens in New York stays in New York, right?”
“That’s so nice of you to offer to play tour guide for my fiancé and me.” The southern drawl dripped with honey, but Brooks recognized the subtlety of blades underneath. “Sorry I’m late, baby. My Uber got stuck in traffic.”
The newcomer slid neatly between him and Jenny, laying her left hand on his arm in a light but possessive touch. All their gazes dropped to the diamond on that hand.
Jenny’s cheeks colored. “Oh, I…” she stammered. “Apologies. No harm meant. I didn’t realize he was taken.”
The blonde flashed a beauty queen smile that made her eyes sparkle. “Doesn’t that just make you wish men got some kind of engagement jewelry, too? It would make things so much simpler.”
“I… uh… yeah. Enjoy your time in New York.” Jenny slipped off the stool and moved off down the bar.
The stranger boosted herself onto the vacated stool, turning her back to Jenny and dropping the proprietary hand. “Sorry for the interruption, but it looked like you could use a save.”
Brooks blinked and braced himself for round two of unwanted come-ons. “Thank you.”
Another smile, softer this time. A real one that reached those pretty green eyes. “Feel free to just ignore me while I sit here for a few more minutes to make sure she’s left, or at least got the message that you’d rather be left alone.”
She pivoted toward the bar and caught the eye of the bartender.
Brooks could have left it at that, but he found himself curious. “Where did you learn to do that?”
“Do what?”
He waited as she ordered a tonic and lime. “Cut her off at the knees in the most polite way possible.”
She huffed a little laugh. “Sugar, I’m Southern. We’re taught how to do that from the cradle.”
“Judging by that accent, you’re a long way from home. Do you live here in New York or are you visiting?” And why did he care? Two minutes ago, all he’d wanted was to be left alone.
The bartender delivered her drink, and she sipped. “Visiting. I’m in town taking in the sights and crossing off some bucket list items.”
Despite the easy tone, something dark moved through those eyes and told him this was more than a whim. “Yeah? What all have you seen?”
“Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Spent a day at the Met. Saw a Broadway show. Had a slice of pizza at Joe’s, which was to die for. Tried some heavenly hand-pulled noodles at some hole in the wall I would never be able to find again.”
“All excellent choices. What’s left?”
“Definitely have to go to the top of the Empire State Building. Maybe dinner at Sardi’s. I haven’t decided yet.”
“Is your actual fiancé helping you out with all that?”
“My what?” She glanced down at the ring. “Oh. I’m not engaged. This was my mother’s ring. I usually wear it on my right hand. For the purposes of the story, it seemed prudent to swap it.”
Brooks wanted to ignore the relief he felt at that news. But this woman was the first thing to spark his interest in months. Even if it was just a few minutes of pleasant, non-pushy conversation. “Well, I appreciate your quick thinking.”
“What about you? Are you in town for business, or do you live here?” Her nose wrinkled a little in self-deprecation. “Is that a dumb thing to ask? Does anyone who lives in New York actually show up at a hotel bar?”
“The locals show up sometimes. At least they did years ago when I lived near the city. But, no, I’m just passing through.
” He waited for her to press for more. To angle for an autograph or allude to the fact that she realized who he was.
But she simply watched him as she continued to sip, as if he were just some random guy.
Huh.
On the TV behind the bar, some commentator on ESPN was interviewing the goalie of the team who’d gone on to win the Stanley Cup because of his once-in-a-lifetime save. Brooks jerked his head toward the screen. “You follow sports?”
The woman laughed and shook her head. “I don’t follow any kind of sportsball.”
“Sportsball?” he repeated.
“It seems a reasonable term to encompass most of them, given the big ones all have ball in the name.” Her smile flashed again. “I guess our engagement was doomed from the start.” She glanced around. “Just as well, as it seems your admirer has disappeared.”
Draining her glass, she laid some cash on the bar. “It was nice talking to you. I hope the rest of your trip is quieter.”
Shouldering her purse, she vacated the stool.
Brooks found himself pivoting toward her. “Would you like some company to see the rest of the sites on your list?”
When her brows nearly hit her hairline, he raised his hands.
“If you’d rather not, I totally understand.
But I’ve spent some time in New York before, and I could show you some things you might not see otherwise.
” Realizing how that might come off as suggestive, he rushed to add, “In a not creepy way.”
She angled her head. “I thought you wanted to be alone.”
“So did I.” The words were out before he thought better of them.
Did he imagine that hint of a blush in her cheeks?
“Well, that depends.”
“On?”
“Whether you know where I can find the best cheesecake in the city.”
Brooks offered a hand. “I’m in your debt. I’m happy to take you on a tour of the top three.”
After only a moment’s hesitation, she placed her hand in his and smiled. “Then it’s a good thing I’m starving.”