That’s just what I needed tonight. Another reminder of what I’ve loved and lost. Thanks, Universe. I needed that.
Turning away, Daisy blinked rapidly and held her glass up to the bartender. She didn’t usually drink, with good reason, but tonight was an exception to that rule. And it was time for another one. And then maybe another. Her plan was to drink until it didn’t hurt anymore…as many as it took. Like father, like daughter, she supposed.
As the server made his way over, someone sat beside her. Daisy glanced over, already annoyed because she wasn’t here to flirt, or talk, or make friends. She was here to forget.
But then she locked gazes with the deepest, darkest, prettiest brown eyes she’d ever seen, and any irritation at the interruption of her emo mood was shattered. The man next to her was tall, impossibly so. Even though he was sitting down, she’d easily place him at six foot three or more. He had blond hair, which looked as if he constantly ran his f
ingers through it all day long, and stubble darkened his jaw…which had a freaking dimple in it. He glanced over at her and froze, his eyes narrowing when he caught her staring.
Cheeks heating, she turned away as fast as she could, breathing quickly. Her stomach tightened into a knot, and she stiffened because this was a feeling she hadn’t experienced in two years.
Ever since…
“Hello,” the man next to her said, offering an easy smile. Damn it, he was even hotter when he smiled. Why couldn’t he have crooked teeth, or an even more crooked smile? Couldn’t the universe do her one teensy weensy favor and make this guy a little less attractive?
But noooooooo.
“Mind if I sit here?” he asked quietly, his voice filled with deep respect. She had the feeling he was the type of guy who would never raise his voice in anger. Never lose his cool.
She happened to like men who were calm in the face of chaos.
“And if I politely decline?” she asked, like she always did when men hit on her in bars. It always made them shrink away and seek out easier targets.
He blinked. “Then I’d politely sit and drink my drink without bothering you, one seat over this way, because I want to watch the game, and the TV is over here.”
Gah! That was the perfect response.
Damn him.
Tucking her probably frizzy hair behind her ear, she forced a cool smile despite her racing heart. “I’m not saving the seat for anyone, so feel free to sit where you want.”
“Excellent.” He set his phone down on the bar next to hers. “How are you tonight?”
“Good. Great. Wonderful.”
A smile played at his lips again. “You’re empty.”
How did he know? “What?”
“Your glass.” He pointed at it. His fingers were long and lean, yet somehow strong, and coated with a light dusting of blond hair. “It’s empty.”
She tore her eyes off his fingers, pressing a hand to her stomach, which felt a hell of a lot emptier than her glass. Get over yourself, Daisy. They’re just fingers. “Oh. Right. I was about to get another.”
“Excellent.” When the bartender came up, the guy next to her gestured at her glass. “We’ll have two of whatever she’s having.”
The bartender started to walk away, but she held up a hand and he stopped, smiling flirtatiously at her. He’d been acting interested all night, but it hadn’t done a thing to her insides. Not like the guy beside her had within seconds of arriving. Ugh.
“You might want to rethink that, sir. I’m having a cosmo,” Daisy said, eyeing the man who’d managed to turn her on…or upside down…whatever. “It’s pink. And frothy.”
The man hesitated, laughing. “Uh…I happen to like pink drinks.”
“No, you don’t,” she said, tapping her fingers on the bar, and shooting him what was hopefully a playful smile, but probably came off more like a hyena on the prowl because she didn’t have a single frigging playful bone in her body and never had. “You’re just trying to play along. Act cool. Pretend not to be emasculated by the threat of a pink drink. Go on—get a whiskey instead, if you want. I won’t think less of you.”
Yep. That totally came out as more of a challenge than a flirtatious reply.
Daisy: 0. Hot guy: 1.
“Two cosmos, please. The pinker, the better.” After the bartender headed off, hot guy leaned in, shooting her an easygoing grin. “It happens to be my favorite color.”