Next Guy Through the Door

Glancin

g around the room, he didn’t seem to be looking for anyone in particular. Striding to the far end of the long wooden bar where it was quieter, he pulled up a stool and sat alone. There was an empty stool beside him, and no one around for several feet.

My legs straightened as I stood up. Taking a slow breath, I tried to ease my shoulders lower.

“Hold on,” Charity grabbed my hand. “Do you know what you’re going to say?”

“Not in the slightest,” I admitted. “But if I don’t go right now, I never will.”

CHAPTER TWO

* Dale *

I couldn’t believe such a beautiful girl was walking straight toward me. I had noticed her the second I walked in the door, but after seeing the rest of the people in the pub, I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.

This wasn’t really a biker jacket, scruffy hair sort of place. These were respectable looking people, and I didn’t really fit in. That didn’t matter. I was supposed to be meeting my business partner for a drink, but he had sent me a text moments ago canceling on me at the last minute. Since I was already so close, I didn’t see any harm in having a drink alone, just to unwind.

But this beautiful little treasure seemed to be headed my way. Her short, choppy black hair almost gleamed blue as she walked under a light. She was a bit short, with wide, thick curves that actually made my mouth water. A shapely goddess with creamy breasts shown to perfection in her slightly low cut blue dress.

As she came closer, I could see that it matched her deep blue eyes. She licked her pretty rosebud lips nervously, then came over to stand right beside me.

“Hi,” she said softly. Then her lips pressed together in a straight line.

“Hi,” I said, turning toward her.

I saw her fingers twitching nervously, and wanted to put her at ease. “Would you like to sit with me?” I asked.

She nodded, sliding onto the stool beside me. It looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t quite figure out how to word it.

“I’ve never been to this place before,” I said, smiling. “Are you the welcoming committee?”

She giggled slightly, and I could see her girlfriends back at their table carefully staring at us while trying not to be caught looking.

“I’m Lindsay,” she said, holding out her hand. Her short nails were a dark purple-black.

“I’m Dale,” I said, shaking her hand gently. Then I held her fingertips up to the light. “Micro-sparkles,” I said. “That’s a really nice finish.”

She shot me an odd look. “You’re into nail polish?”

I laughed. “No, but I like different kinds of paint.”

The bartender came over, looking at us a bit strangely. “May I buy you a drink?” I asked.

“Sure, thank you. Margarita, please.”

“Woodford on ice,” I told him.

Lindsay’s pretty doll-like face was turned up toward me, and she still looked nervous as hell. Flicking my eyes over her shoulder, I could see her friends whispering frantically.

“Lindsay, don’t look behind you, but your friends are staring. If this is some sort of bet, you can just tell me what it is, and I’ll help you win. Okay?”

Her mouth fell open in shock.

“As long as it’s not one of those prank shows,” I chuckled. “I don’t want ice water or slime dumped on me or something.”

Her laugh was sweet, like bells ringing through the air. “I’d never do that to you,” she said softly.

“I’m shocked at what you already do to me,” I said, surprising myself.