The bar is hopping tonight. I chuckle inwardly as I read the banner hung above the entrance. “Come & Get Your Phil!”Colin explains that it’s so busy because a live band is in town for the weekend, and this is their first night. He helps me down from the cab and leads me into the bar, his hand never leaving the small of my back. A smile lights up his face when he apparently recognizes his two friends at a booth waiting for us. My palms begin to sweat a little, but I discreetly rub them on my jeans before shaking their hands.
“Well, it’s about dang time we meet you! Now Colin can quit babbling about how ‘unbelievably’ gorgeous you are. He’s right to babble though.” Mark winks devilishly at me while taking a gulp from his mug of draft beer. I can’t help but blush.
The fire in Colin’s eyes at Mark’s comment clearly warns him to choose his next words very carefully. Mark holds his hands up slightly as if surrendering, then chuckles in amusement. Trystan just smiles and enjoys the scene quietly. Jane and Ava were not joshing when they said Mark resembled McSteamy. No, they had been dead on, and if I were Ava, I’d be on that like stink on a warthog. He is gorgeous. Trystan is also good-looking, if you go for the blonde-haired, blue-eyed, all-American boys. He has the body of a quarterback, and I’d bet money that he at least dabbled in sports in high school.
The band begins playing their versions of some older rock and roll hits. Currently, they are playing some Creedence Clearwater Revival, which always lightens up the mood and gets the crowd going. A bubbly, brunette waitress scampers over to get our drink orders. I stifle a giggle as the girl practically swoons over Colin and the guys, more so Colin. She notices him casually slide his arm around my shoulders, her bubbly attitude dimming slightly as she turns to walk away, but not before winking at Mark and asking him if he’d like another beer. She gave up easily. Good.
“If only I were about five years younger, I might let that one do more than just wink at me,” Mark sighs, eyeing the waitress filling the drink orders at the bar.
“Dude, Mark, she’s younger than your sister by at least a year or two,” Trystan chimes in and then adds, “Ah, here comes our beers…” A subtle warning that the waitress was well within hearing range of the conversation. I snicker at their bantering. The waitress hands off all of our draft beers, and as I take a sip, the three guys just stare.
“Be still my beating heart! Would you believe it? A woman who likes beer! Draft beer…” Trystan grins, shaking his head in disbelief. “She gets my vote, man. If you screw this up, I call dibs. Speaking of dibs, Sydney, would you like to dance?”
“Sure!” I gladly oblige as I look at Colin who is shaking his head back and forth, smiling at the gall of his buddies. Mark whines a little like he’s all heartbroken he didn’t beat Trystan to the question. Glee bubbles out of me in giggles as I accept Trystan’s hand and he pulls me from the booth.
“Trys, man, keep your hands where I can see them,” Colin playfully throws out. Trystan salutes him as if Colin is his commanding officer.
Before I can say anything, Trystan grabs a hand and sweeps me onto the dance floor.
“Thank you,” his warm tone whispers near my ear.
I lightly rest one hand on his shoulder as his free hand circles my waist.
“For what? Dancing with you?”
“No, well yes, that too, but that’s not what I meant. Thank you for coming tonight with Colin. I can’t remember the last time Mark and I have seen him smile like he is tonight. Or, for that matter, any time he mentions you. Our friend has been very sad for a very long time. He deserves to be happy. Plus, Ithink you seem like a pretty nice girl. Please be careful with him though, Sydney.”
I gulp, feeling the pressure intended with his warning.
“Well, he’s a pretty amazing guy from everything I’ve seen so far. He’s also really lucky to have such great friends. I’m glad I came tonight too.” We sway around the floor til the end of the band’s version ofNeon Moonby Brooks and Dunn.
“Mind if I have the next one? After all, the lady did come with me tonight,” I hear Colin ask from behind me. I turn to see the two men grinning at each other with some unspoken guy conversation going on.
“For sure. Hey, Syd, thanks for the dance.” Trystan winks, and I grin widely as he swaggers away.
“Damn, that grin has me a little jealous.”
Colin pulls me in close as the band takes a break and Kenny Chesney’s song,You Had Me From Hellobegins playing on the jukebox. I smirk at the irony of the song. I’m not quite sure if love is where this is leading, but it’s definitely a possibility, as well as the fact that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since we met.
“Nah, don’t be. I’m leaving with you.”
He hums appreciatively on that note. One of his hands holds mine, the other rests on the small of my back. It is such a normal thing when dancing, but his hands feel like fire searing against my skin, making my throat as dry as can be from the growing anticipation. I slide a hand down his shoulder to rest on his chest. The slow movement causes Colin to suck in his breath slightly. His response is to pull me closer, bringing our bodies tightly together. It feels good to be like this with him.
“Are you having a good time?” he breaks the silence, trying to distract us from the tension coiling between our bodies.
“I am. Colin, your friends are great.” He beams at my answer.
“I’m glad you think so. Mark can come off a little strong toward some, but he’s really just a big teddy bear inside.”
“You and Ava both prepared me for it, but I agree, most of it’s for show. Deep down, I bet he’s great. I think I’ll share with him that you called him a teddy bear though.” Colin growls playfully, and it does something good for me.
“Yeah, he’s really been there for me. You know, most people don’t sense his personality the way you just did. He’s definitely got a mask on, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.”
“Don’t we all at times?” I whisper so softly, I hope he doesn’t hear.
“I have for the past five years,” Colin mumbles, confirming having heard me. I pull back slightly to look up into his eyes.
“You had good reason though. Just remember, you don’t have to put on a front for me.” I give him my best reassuring smile.
