“Lovely.”
“Sarah, get out on t
he floor. Table two needs refills,” Coop instructs, appearing from the back.
With a quick smile and even quicker step, she’s off, and I turn to Coop.
“You could’ve told me tonight was going to be swarming with Rhett Allen fans,” I say, lifting a brow.
“It’s cute when you pretend not to be one,” he chides, winking before shoving me toward my end of the bar.
The next few hours fly by in a flurry of activity as I do my best to keep my eyes off the TVs. First, I served a socialite and her glittery posse celebrating…hell, I don’t know what they were celebrating. All I know is they were fat tippers and brought a hoard of hot guys to my end of the bar. She and her posse eventually dissipated, leaving me with a beautiful view of Heaven’s sexiest cowboy bachelors. At least I think they’re bachelors—they’d better be, considering they’re flirting their asses off and asking to take me home. Lucky for me I’m able to stand my ground, refusing to melt under their heated gazes. They too eventually fade and are replaced by a pair of men who have made it their life’s mission to make me laugh. And as much as I appreciate their effort, I’m dying for this night to end. I am beat, and if I hear one more woman fawn over how tight Rhett’s ass looks in a pair of Wranglers, I’m going to scream.
“Wait, let me try again!” The slurred voice tugs me back to the land of the living.
“Oh no.” Shaking my head, I laugh, fighting back a yawn. “You’ve had four chances.”
“Come on,” Bill begs. Or is it Bob? Braeden, maybe? Shit, I can’t even remember. There are too many men here to keep track of, and unfortunately for me, they’re all good looking.
I hold up a finger. “One more chance, but you better recruit some help because this is make-it-or-break-it time.”
He turns toward his buddy as I hustle down the bar to wait on another customer.
When I return, he smacks his hands together. “We’ve got it!”
Cooper walks up behind and claps him on the shoulder. “The only thing you’ve got is a ride home. I’m calling you an Uber.”
He completely ignores Cooper. “You ready?” His glossy eyes are twinkling, and I almost feel bad for him, because he really does think he has a shot with me. If this were a normal day, and I were a normal girl, maybe he would. But that’s a big if, and I’m far from normal.
I barely have time to sleep, shower, and eat, let alone date. And my heart…forget about it. I gave that traitorous organ away years ago, and the damn thing never came back.
“Last chance,” I say, tossing a towel over my shoulder. Leaning against the bar, I give him my full attention. “Better make it good.”
Squaring his shoulders, he sits up straight, only he isn’t straight at all. He’s leaning to the left, and I hope Cooper really did call an Uber for him.
“Feel this shirt.” He gives me a lopsided smile, and I raise my eyebrows, waiting for the punch line. “Know what it’s made of?”
I shake my head, and his smile widens.
“Boyfriend material.”
It takes everything I have not to laugh, and not because the pick-up line is funny or unique, because it’s not—it’s cheesy. But the look on his face… He looks like one of the dogs at my shelter, sitting at my feet, waiting for a treat. But I’ve mastered the ability to deal with drunk, horny men, and I’m able to stifle my giggle.
Shrugging, I frown.
“Fuuuck.” Dropping his head to his hands, he groans.
“Jace, dude, what was that?” Cooper asks, giving him a perplexed look.
Jace! That’s his name.
“Don’t tell me you actually use that line on women.”
“If you think that was lame, you should’ve heard the first four,” I mumble.
Cooper slaps Jace on the back and laughs.
His head rolls to the side toward Cooper. “All I had to do was make her laugh and she said she’d consider going out with me.”