“What about you?” I ask, tapping my fingernails against the bar as I approach him. “You need anything else?”
He looks me up and down, his lips parting into a smirk. “Dangerous question.”
I laugh. “Well, it wasn’t intended to be dangerous.”
He grins. “What’s your name, anyway?”
“Paige. Yours?”
“Griffin.”
“Cute.”
“Hey, Paige!”
I look up to see Robbie waving at me from under the television. He’s one of my favorite regulars—always in a good mood, always friendly, and always hungry. Even now, at close to closing time.
“What’s up, Robbie?” I ask.
“Can I get some of those little tacos when you get a chance? And if you tell me that Nate forgot to stock them again …” He presses a fist into his other hand.
I laugh. “I think we have some.” I turn back to Griffin. “If you need anything, just shout.”
He lifts his beer and tips it my way. It almost hides his smirk.
I give him a lingering smile before turning away.
I’m glad Nate texted me to work because I was considering how to get out of the house so I didn’t have to see him. Maybe he was having the same feelings. Either way, it works for me.
It took me all day to talk myself into a mode of acceptance. There’s nothing to be upset about. I just need to treat Nate like a friend—and he is a good friend—and move on. That’s all. Easy peasy. Ish.
“Hi,” Kira says as I enter the kitchen.
I sigh.
“What’s going on?” she asks.
Nate. “Nothing much.”
“Who is the hot guy at the end of the bar?” she asks. “I came out there to grab a Coke and spotted him.”
“Oh, yes. Griffin is his name. Very cute. Has been quiet and patient, which is a plus.”
“And, of course, he wants you, doesn’t he?”
She throws a pickle at me. I dodge it easily and then pick it up off the floor.
“I don’t know if he wants me or if he’s being polite. He hasn’t said anything to me,” I say. “Chill out.”
“You can’t have all the guys, Paige. You already have Nate.”
My insides shrink. This isn’t going to be fun.
“Nate and I aren’t a thing,” I say flatly. “I’m just staying at his house until I find an apartment.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. We’re just friends. Nothing else. Like, facts on facts on facts.”
She nods. “Okay. Sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“No worries,” I say, heading back to the bar. “Robbie wants mini tacos. Okay? I didn’t write it down.”
“I got ya.”
I grab a clean towel and wipe the bar down—starting at one end and working my way to the other.
I might have to get a new job.
I don’t think I can work with Nate or listen to everyone assume we’re an item. It’s embarrassing, given the circumstances.
Last night’s conversation was probably the first real conversation that addressed our … situation. Nate might be attracted to me, but he doesn’t actually want me.
He doesn’t want me.
I had no idea that everyone here assumed something was between us. If I had, I wouldn’t have begged to stay at his place. Knowing that Kira thought we were a done deal is just … so uncomfortable.
If Nate doesn’t want to see me with other men, then I sure as hell don’t want to see him with the one. The long-term woman he wants to settle down with.
So new job, new apartment … new me? Well, I guess that answers that.
“Tacos are coming, Robbie,” I say.
He gives me a thumbs-up and resumes watching the sports program on the television.
I can feel Griffin’s gaze on me as I get closer. I try to shake all things Nate out of my head. He’s just my friend.
“Can I buy you a drink?” Griffin asks as I stop in front of him.
“Can’t drink on the job.”
He leans forward. “Well, I guess that just means I’ll have to take you out for a drink then.”
Griffin looks at me like he wants to lick every inch of my body. And if my body’s reaction is any indication, it’s game. That or it’s in a perpetual state of want from being in proximity to Nate all the damn time.
I rest my torso against the countertop. The position makes my cleavage peek out through the slit I cut in the front of my shirt. I pop my ass because I need a boost of confidence and lean toward Griffin.
His eyes sparkle. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“So can I take you out? Say yes. Don’t ruin my night.”
I laugh. “That’s an awfully big responsibility you just pinned on me if I could ruin your whole entire night.”
“You’ve given me an awfully big problem tonight too.” He reaches under the bar and widens his eyes. “So can I take you out sometime?”
“What would we do?” I ask, figuring it doesn’t hurt to see what kind of guy he is.
I’m on the market, after all. And after a quick perusal, he doesn’t come across as my type. It could work.