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  I smile and take a sip off my now warm beer.

  Grimacing at the taste, I catch the eye of Benny, the bartender here at Clyde’s, and signal for another one. Usually, he smiles or nods at me. This time, he glares and pretends I didn’t just ask for something.

  Huh. Okay. Maybe he didn’t see me then?

  I try to gain his attention, but no luck. He’s either ignoring me or having a way off night. We’ve always been cool with one another, but something feels off right now—especially since he just smiled down at Haley then caught me watching and frowned at me.

  Staring down at my beer, I contemplate getting up for another one or just heading home. I should probably head home. I have a ton of work to get done tomorrow and have to help the new guy at the shop get adjusted.

  But, I kind of want to stay, maybe attempt to talk with Haley again.

  No. I need to leave. Need to be responsible.

  Go home, Gaige. You don’t need to talk to her again.

  Suddenly, a new, cold beer slides into my view. I look up to find Haley standing in front of me again.

  I slap a cocky grin on my face and say, “Just couldn’t stay away, huh? It’s because I’m cute, right?”

  She shrugs and takes a seat. “Arrogant. Besides, you looked lonely.”

  “That’s a cute excuse.”

  “You’re a cute excuse.”

  “Thank you…I think.”

  “My friends are talking about weddings and husbands and babies. I don’t have the patience to listen to them.”

  “That boring, huh?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know. It’s all a little sad.”

  “Sad? How? Aren’t those supposed to be some of your happiest memories?” I ask.

  “Sure, but they shouldn’t be the way you define your life.”

  “Valid. Aren’t you here to have fun with them and celebrate though?”

  “Yes, but they also dared me to come talk to you again.”

  “And you took them up on that?”

  She shrugs. “I’m a little tipsy. I get brave when I’m tipsy.”

  “Do I make you so nervous that you have to imbibe in copious amounts of booze to be able to come talk to me?”

  “Someone is full of himself.”

  “Someone is avoiding the question.”

  “It’s not you, it’s in general. I don’t…people very often, or well. Actually, I brought my e-reader along with me tonight in case I got bored.”

  “And here you are, people-ing.”

  She grins. “Here I am.”

  “Haley, I think we’re going to get along just great.”

  We chatted a bit more before her friends dragged her away. Since going back over to her group, Haley’s thrown back three more shots and had a vodka and soda; I only know this because she’s taken to screaming out her drink order to the bartender. Benny will grin and shake his head, then she’ll peer over at me and give me a thumbs up. Each time, her smile is warm, caring, real.

  Throughout the night, the sense of her familiarity grows. I know I must have seen her somewhere before, or maybe I haven’t and she just has one of those faces.

  Once I’m ready to call it a night, I catch sight of my waitress and lift my hand, indicating I’m ready to close my tab. She disappears for a few moments and returns quickly, dashing over to my table in an instant.

  “Here ya go, sugar.” Her voice is sticky and too sweet. She’s laying it on thick and has been all night. I’m guessing she’s missed the I’m not interested memo I’ve sent out multiple times.

  I’m not stupid. I know I’m a handsome guy. I have great bone structure, fantastic eyes, amazing fucking hair, and I can dress myself. I take care of my body by eating healthy at least six days a week and visiting the gym just as often. I’ve been told I pack a lot of charm, have a great smile, and know just when to use my manners. I’m a fucking catch.

  I simply don’t want to be reeled in by this waitress.

  Her breasts practically assault me as she leans in too close to drop the check onto the table. I lurch back, not wanting to give her any ideas. Glancing to her, I see a small hint of hurt cross her face. I want to feel bad—I really do—but I can’t. If I were to rub my junk across her body, she’d freak out. Why should it be any different when a woman does it to a man? Exactly—it shouldn’t.

  She takes a step back and smiles up at me with a grin only meant to be inviting. “Let me know if you need anything else.” I don’t miss the way she overemphasizes anything.

  “Thanks. I’m fine.”

  Her eyes rake over me. “I can see that.”

  Seriously? That’s where she’s taking that?

  I stare at her, refusing to back down or give any hint that I’m interested. I am most definitely not. She takes the clue, grinning once more, and finally turning away. She exaggerates the sway of her hips, causing her walk to look unnatural and not the sexy show she’s going for.

  I throw down enough to cover the bill and a tip as I scan the bar again. You might say I’m looking for Haley but—okay, fine, I’m looking for Haley. After my second scan of the bar, I realize she’s not here anymore. She must have slipped out when the waitress was dropping off my check. Disappointment creeps in. I was hoping to see her again before she left, maybe tell her it was a semi-pleasure meeting her too, maybe even grab her number.

  But she’s nowhere in sight.

  I wave to the bartender, passing off Benny’s earlier glare as nothing, but he doesn’t return the gesture. Instead, his face twists with anger.

  Okay, so maybe it is something.

  Shrugging, I brush it off and make my way outside because right now I just want to head home. I’m at my car, getting ready to lift the handle and hop in, when I hear a laugh somehow already ingrained in my mind after only hearing it tonight. I look over to where the noise is coming from and find Haley with her group of friends. I guess the booze has finally caught up with her because she stumbles, barely catching herself on what I assume is her car.

  I lean back against my ride, crossing my arms over my chest, watching her for the millionth time tonight.

  She’s backlit by the dingy lights in the lot, her head thrown back in quiet laughter. She looks gorgeous.

  “No, Cailee. I’m fine. I’ll just grab a cab.”

  Or I think that’s what she says. I can’t be certain—her words are a slightly slurred, her drunken state now painfully obvious.

  I see her shake her head and retreat as they all go their separate ways. She begins digging around in her purse, mumbling to herself over and over. After a few seconds of searching, she lets out a squeal and holds up her phone. Then she drops it. I chuckle as she bends over, only to have to catch herself before she faceplants.

  “You’re gonna hurt yourself.”

  Haley sputters at my words, popping up and spinning around to see where the voice is coming from. I grin as she looks out into the empty parking lot, taking steps farther into the darkness. It also makes me feel uneasy enough to push myself off my car and walk toward her. I bend down, grabbing her phone.

  I’m just a few steps behind her when she spins around again, a loud shriek leaving her throat.

  “AHHH! Holy shit!” She grabs at her chest, her mouth hanging open, eyes wide with terror. I reach out to steady her as she wobbles backward again. “You scared the bejesus out of me.”

  I offer no apology, keeping a firm grasp on her bicep, worried she’ll tumble over again.

  “Whadareyoudoingoudhere?” I have to listen closely to what she says, as it’s still slurred together and sounds like a single word.

  “I was heading home,” I tell her, hoping I got her question right. “Are you going to be okay? Do you need a ride?”

  Why did I say that? Why would I offer her a ride? I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me. I could be dangerous, or a criminal. Oh, hell—I am a criminal.

  Not anymore, Gaige.

  Right. I was, but not anymore. Now I’m just a normal guy offerin
g a normal girl a lift home. There is nothing wrong or harmful in that. If anything, it’s friendly and gallant.

  Gallant. I can be that.

  Haley snorts and pulls from my grasp. She reaches into her small purse again, searching for something. “Nah…cab…phone” is all I can make out as she digs around in her purse again.

  I hold her phone out to her, only to have the nice gesture met with angry eyes.

  “You stole my phone? Thief!”

  What? Thief?

  “Thief!” she yells again spinning around, her voice carrying through the quietening night.

  I grab her again, turning her back to me. “Haley, shush. You dropped it. I didn’t steal it.”

  She pouts, her eyes bouncing from the phone still in my outstretched hand to my face and back to the phone. “Oh. I knew that.”

  “You’re a mess. Look, let me take you home. You don’t need to be waiting out here by yourself.”

  Her refusal is instant, head shaking back and forth furiously. “Nope. Stranger danger,” she repeats over and over.

  Even though I shouldn’t, I laugh. “No, I’m not a stranger, remember? We’re acquaintances. You know my name and I know yours. If anything were to happen, you’d at least have that information.”

  She rolls her eyes, the gesture wildly exaggerated. “Oh, please. That’s so easy to fake. I could have told you my name was Nikki and you’d never know the difference.”

  Her words are slow and clear, like she’s paying extra attention to each and every one coming out of her mouth.

  “Nah,” I tell her. “You don’t look like a Nikki.”

  “Well I am.” She’s adamant, and I kind of love how stubborn she is when she’s drunk. It’s cute.

  “Haley—”

  “Nikki!”

  “Right. Nikki,” I amend, a smile tugging at my lips. “Let me take you home. Please? I promise not to feel you up.”

  Haley’s green eyes find mine. Her stare is wild, exposed, free. As drunk as she is right now, I’m surprised she can hold eye contact like this. It almost starts to make me uncomfortable, the way she’s staring at me like she’s ready to put on gloves and dig her way through the skeletons in my closet. I’m so uncomfortable I can feel sweat start to form on the back of my neck, the tiny hairs standing at attention, but I refuse to look away. I can’t. This is a test—one I want to pass.

  “Okay.” Her answer is firm, quiet, sure.

  “Okay,” I repeat. “My car’s this way.”

  “Mine is right here,” she says pointing to a tan sedan.

  I blink once, twice. “How am I going to get back here?”

  She shrugs. “Walk.”

  “I don’t even know how far away you live.”

  “Just twenty or forty blocks.”

  Yes, because those numbers are so close together. I mentally do the math. I can walk that.

  “Fine,” I relent. “Keys.”

  She roots around in her purse again, muttering to herself the entire time. “Aha! Here.”

  I have no time to react before she’s chucking a huge, clunky lanyard at me, hitting me square in the chest. I rub the spot as I bend down to grab the offending object. Straightening up, I find Haley already on the other side of her car, huffing at me. I suppress an amused smile, not wanting her to think I’m laughing at her—although I absolutely am. I begin sifting through the lanyard full of cheesy keychains and about eight different keys. Luckily finding the car key is simple. I hit the unlock button and she dives into the car, slamming her hand against the horn almost immediately.

  “Let’s move it!” she hollers from inside.

  I roll my eyes as I open the door and fold myself into the tiny vehicle. This woman is insane.

  “Vroom!” she says.

  I shake my head, smiling like a moron over her curt reactions. She’s surprisingly increasingly impolite when she’s drunk. I adjust the seat to fit my six-two frame as she opens the glove box and starts pulling out napkin after napkin.

  I turn over the engine, grimacing at the squeak I hear her belts making. The mechanic in me automatically starts thinking of ways to fix it and the other small inconsistencies I feel in the movements of her car. I make a mental note to remind her to get a tune up if I make it out of this night alive.

  “Left,” she instructs once I reach the end of the lot.

  From the corner of my eye I can see she’s still pulling napkins from the glove box.

  “Are you looking for something?” I ask her.

  “No.”

  Okay then. Other than instructing me on where to turn, she’s quiet the rest of the ride, giving up her non-search about two minutes in. I pull into a parking space of the apartment building she’s led me to and shut off the car.

  “We’re here,” she announces, throwing open her door, stepping out, and then slamming it closed again.

  I quickly follow her. I’d be a dick if I let her attempt to walk into her building by herself in this state. I’m hot on her heels the entire time, ready and waiting to catch her if she falls. By some miracle, she only fumbles over herself twice on the journey. We reach her door and she holds out her hand for her jumble of keys. I hand them over, dying to see how she’s going to find the key in that mess.

  She tries two different ones before dropping the heavy lanyard to the floor, bending over quickly to retrieve them—too quickly if the way she falters and grabs at her head is any indication. I shake my head and grab her keys from her, squinting in the dim light to find the right one. It takes three tries before the door gives way. She brushes past me into the quiet room, loudly dumping her bag onto the floor because she misses the table near the door and then giggling at her own mishap.

  I don’t know whether I should follow her or not. I know nothing about this girl. Other than knowing her name, how great her ass is, and her knack for assumptions, she’s practically a stranger. With a smirk, I watch as she starts fumbling around, having a full-blown conversation with herself to “be quiet before you wake my sister.” Then, loud and clear, I hear a voice I know I’ve heard before.

  “Hales?”

  The mechanic shop I work at is owned by my best friend Hudson. That voice coming from a bedroom down the hall? Well, it belongs to Hudson’s new girlfriend, Rae. A part of me panics for a whole different reason now. I don’t want to be caught in my best friend’s girlfriend’s apartment with her sister. I know the warnings Hudson would give me about this and my current situation. Hell, I know the warnings I’d give me—not that I’ve given myself any tonight because we’ve just been harmlessly flirting.

  But you were going to ask for her number, Gaige.

  None of this was supposed to go this far. She’s still talking to Hudson’s girl but I have to interrupt before I can’t back away. I start to ask her if she’ll be all right, dropping her keys on her entry table, but she yells something irreversible.

  “I met a man. A really sexy man. He’s going to take care of me,” Haley exclaims dramatically, suggestively.

  Fuck!

  I spring to action before she can give any more information, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close. She giggles, wriggling back into me. “Where’s your bedroom?” I whisper in her ear.

  Her body stills for just a moment before she melts into me even farther. I smile to myself as I feel her heart rate pick up. She lifts a shaky hand and points a shaky finger down the hall. I practically drag her to her bedroom, her feet not fully cooperating.

  Once I have her inside, I slam the door shut and back away from it slowly. Once I’m certain no one is going to come barging into the room, I spin around to face Haley.

  “You’re acting crazy,” she whispers.

  “I know,” I tell her just as quietly.

  She’s right; I am acting crazy, but I don’t want to have to face Hudson with this. I know the lecture he’ll give me about getting into something with someone when my life is in the middle of a total upheaval.

  I get it, you’re
thinking: Why is he letting his friends dictate his life? Why the fuck does this asshole care about what his friends think? First, I’m not. Second, I don’t care what they think, but I know he’d be right and I don’t want to face that. I don’t need this right now…yet, here I am, in the bedroom of some random chick I met at the bar.

  Stellar decision-maker, party of one.

  Haley shrugs then proceeds to strip her top off. I sputter, caught off guard by her actions. I clench my hands, so fucking glad she’s not just in her bra but has a camisole on as she flops herself down onto her bed. I don’t know how I’d react if she were practically naked right now. My feet stay firmly planted on the floor as I watch her eyes flutter shut, not wanting to miss this moment even though I know I should be leaving.

  She looks so peaceful, so calm. And beautiful. She’s a gorgeous woman. Her plump lips move just the slightest bit with every breath she takes. Her pert nose twitches as a stray hair tickles her face. Now that we’re accompanied by the soft glow of the room, I can see I was wrong about the color of the hair that’s currently splayed across the bed as she dozes off. It’s not just light brown; it’s perfectly shaded with streaks of soft blonde and darker brown throughout to accommodate her lightly tanned skin. I have this distinct feeling it’s natural, too.

  I skate my eyes over the rest of her, noting her bright red bra strap poking out under her black camisole. Her perfect ass is clad in a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, doing their job well by hugging every curve she has. I pull my lingering eyes off her bottom and continue my leisurely onceover. She hasn’t even taken off her TOMS. I squint, trying to get a closer look at what’s on them. Are those flamingos? Those are flamingos! Smiling, I walk closer to the bed, carefully reaching down to pull at her shoes.

  “AH!” she screams, flipping over and kicking me in the side of my head.

  “Fuck!”

  Ignoring the thudding in my head, I still, listening and waiting for feet to pad across the apartment, for Rae to bust in here, but she never comes.

  I hear a squeak. “Shit! I’m so sorry!” Haley whispers as her hands come around my face.