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“I know you didn’t care much for the crowds or the attention.”
“Or the effect those things had on Max.”
“People change,” he said, always the optimist. “Maybe he has.”
“Or maybe he’s still a self-centered prick, and he’s just hungry for attention.”
“That’s the spirit. Think positive.”
I knew Brian was coming from a good place, but he didn’t know the half of it.
“So where are you taking Miss Maeve on your third date?”
“It’s hardly a third date.”
He cocked his head and pretended to count on his fingers.
“Tonight wasn’t a date,” I insisted, though I couldn’t remember the last time a woman made me laugh so much. “Nor was New Year’s Eve.”
He lifted his palms. “My bad. Where I come from, when two people who want to sleep together meet up over alcohol, it's a date."
“You’re wrong.”
“Bit of advice—”
“Didn’t ask.”
“Take her somewhere nice,” he said. “Don’t test whether she can hang by taking her for chili dogs or some stupid shit like that.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Good,” he said. “’Cause it’s too soon to sabotage this. Plus, she deserves better after what the last guy put her through.”
My brows piqued with interest. “What did she say?”
“Wish I could tell you, but bartender code forbids it.”
“Fuck off.”
“Don’t be sore. You know the rules.”
“No really.” I lifted my chin towards the far side of the bar. “Customer.”
Brian smacked a hand against the counter in front of me and shoved off towards the gentleman with his cocked elbow on the bar.
“Dick,” I mumbled under my breath. Did he really know something about her I didn’t? Or was he just toying with me for sport? Whatever. I’d take her somewhere nice because I wanted to, not because he told me to.
And certainly not because it was a third date.
Though the suggestion did thrill me a little since I was undeniably attracted to her. Whether the feeling was mutual, though, I couldn’t be sure. She was so different from women I’d liked in the past. So controlled. She hadn’t given up the game by getting touchy feely or tossing her hair around like a bird of paradise.
She was classy, which was cool. And she was stunning. And funny. And probably wouldn’t be nearly as impressed by Spinal Tap as I was.
And suddenly, I was nervous.
