The Accidental Girlfriend

I wasn’t against that, for the record. But I wasn’t for it, either. I really was happy being single, and I really didn’t want the baggage of a crazy ex-girlfriend when I did date again.

Of course, I was a woman, which meant I’d dissected that thought seven ways to Sunday. I’d driven myself crazy thinking about why he wanted to talk to the point I’d even broken a glass before my shift had started.

“You’re away with the fairies, Lauren.”

I jerked my attention away from the door and toward one of our regulars, an old veteran. “I sure am, Randy. Sorry about that. You want your usual?”

“Don’t you worry about me, girl. I’d wager the fairies have a prettier world than we do.” He winked. “Yes, the usual, if you don’t mind.”

“No problem.” I grabbed a glass and moved to the Guinness tap. “How’s Belinda?” I asked, referring to his wife who’d recently broken her ankle.

“She’s doin’ good. Going crazy with some cabin fever, so the daughter’s taken her out to get a bite to eat with the grandkids. Do her some good, I reckon.”

“You’re probably right there. Send her my love, and make sure you bring her in here instead of creeping away for a beer every day.” I jokingly wiggled my finger at him as I slid him the beer.

Laughing, he handed me a five-dollar bill. “If you don’t tell her about this one, you can keep the change.”

I winked. “You’ll tell me to keep it anyway.”

Another laugh. “Damn it, I’m not as mysterious as I think I am.”

I slid his change across the bar to him anyway. “Not at all, Randy, not at all.”

With a wink, he pushed the change back to me. “Did you know there’s a nice young man at the other end of the bar staring at you?”

I looked over my shoulder. Mason was standing at the other end of the bar, dust in his dark hair and on his pale blue polo shirt. His lips twitched up when he saw me.

“I do now,” I said to Randy. “And don’t you start.” I pointed my finger at him.

He grinned and leaned around me. “She’s single, you know!”

“Away with you!” I grabbed a cloth and flicked it in his direction. His laughter echoed through the bar as he headed to his table in the corner to do his crossword puzzle.

Shaking my head, I glanced quickly around the bar to make sure nobody needed anything and walked down to Mason.

“You’ve got some characters in here.” His lips twitched.

“You have no idea,” I said dryly. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Sure, why not? I’ll have a Coors.”

“Coming right up.” I turned and pulled one from one of the low fridges. Uncapping it, I set it on the bar mat in front of him and said, “Two-eighty, please.”

I took the five-dollar bill he handed me and rang up his order. Going back to join him, I handed him the change before I held up my finger so I could serve the couple who’d just joined the bar.

A couple of minutes later, I rejoined Mason. “Sorry. What did you need to talk about?”

“You sure you can talk?”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind me running off every few minutes when someone needs something.” I gave him a half-smile. “What’s up?”

He sighed, leaning on the bar. His upper arms pushed against the sleeves of his polo shirt, and I swear, I wanted to sigh. “I have a problem.”

“If she’s five-five, blonde, and comes with a side of bitch, I can’t help you.”

“Not Claudia. Surprisingly.” His lips pulled to the side. “My sister.”

“Your sister? What does that have to do with me?”

“You know how she emailed you in response to your ad, and that’s how you ended up as my date?”

I paused as someone approaching the bar got my attention. “I don’t think I like where this is going.”

“You probably don’t,” he admitted. “Go serve your customer before I tell you.”

“Great. I’m not scared at all.” I did just as he’d said, serving the guy three beers and pocketing the change at his insistence. “Spit it out. Don’t beat around the bush.”

“Last night, my sister told my parents that we’re dating.”

I froze.

Head. To. Freaking. Toe.

She did—that we were—what?

“I’m sorry, what?” I reached up and mimed cleaning out my ear. “I don’t think I caught that.”

“She told my parents we’re dating.”

“You’re right. I don’t like where this is going.”

“Neither do I, if I’m honest. No offense.”

“None taken.” I folded my arms across my chest. “But you should probably get to explaining.”

Mason sighed. “My sister is a pain in my ass. My mom is on my back about dating, and Kirsty told her we’re in a relationship. I tried to pass it off as nothing serious, but my mom is like a dog with a bone. She invited you to both my grandpa’s birthday on Saturday and his dinner on Thursday.”