Holly taps her hands on the table like an excited little schoolgirl, and I blush. Jane and Sydney are sharing a silent conversation with their eyes.
“He was just being nice to me after a rough day.”
“Maybe, but Mark doesn’t just do that kind of thing,” Sydney explains.
“Speak of the devil,” Holly says and nudges Sydney in the arm to look.
Mark just walked in and is walking over to the bar. He hasn’t noticed us yet. Trystan walks in roughly a minute later, notices us right away, and waves before joining Mark. They order beers but stay at the bar. I see Mark look over once at us nonchalantly but whip his head right back when it registers that it’s us. He hitches his chin in acknowledgement and raises his beer in hello. We all wave back. When he takes a long sip, his eyes settle on mine, and I feel this weird charge between us. I choose not to linger on it and break eye contact, turning back to my girls. They’re all looking at me hard with big ol grins on their smug faces.
“Don’t even,” I begin quietly, but I’m cut off by their laughter.
Colin and Garrett walk in at that moment, and we all realize that they’re crashing girl’s night. The guys amble over to us and lean in to give their lady loves each a kiss.
“We will stay out of your hair, but now you all have drivers in case you drink a smidge too much,” Colin explains. If Sydney could have the cartoon love heart eyes popping out of her head, they would be.
“That’s only for Sydney and Jane though!” Holly says as if she’s all butthurt about it even though we all know she’s just playing with him.
“Nah, Trystan and Mark are prepared to drive if need be.”
I clear my throat and look back over my shoulder at the other two, and sure enough, the handsome devil is looking at me. He winks and I scoff, turning back toward Holly. Colin noticed though and smirks at me before kissing Sydney on the cheek one more time. The guys head up to the bar and order drinks, probably catching up with how each of their days went and some shit.
“You gonna let Mark give you a ride?” Holly asks suggestively, and we all get a good giggle from it. You can always count on something interesting to come out of Holly’s mouth. She’s like our female version of Mark. That is if Jane doesn’t beat her to it.
“I don’t plan on drinking enough for that.”
Big-Tits-McGee Mindy chooses that moment to arrive. I quietly groan my disdain for that woman into my margarita.
“Come on, give a girl a break…” Jane mumbles under her breath.
“Really? Could that shirt have any lower of a neckline? Seriously, those tits should be illegal.” Holly whistles low before she drinks another sip. Mindy zeros in on Mark like a hog running for its slop.
“You should’ve seen her shirt the last time she came rubbing up on Mark,” Sydney mutters and looks at me sheepishly.
“Is she like his ex or something?” Holly asks.
“Fuck buddy,” Jane announces, and Holly almost spits out her drink.
“Yeesh,” she draws out between her teeth as she eyes me.
I watch Mindy out of the corner of my eye, and I can say I’m a bit shocked when I see Mark stiffen slightly when she rests a hand on his shoulder. I also catch him looking my way to see what I’m doing. I make sure to cock a judgy brow his way onceor twice. Yeah, I decided to be petty like that, but it’s kind of our thing. He started it, and it’s a bit of a bad habit. I’m not sure if we’ll ever figure out how to break it. He’s still a pig.
I ask to scoot out so that I can hit up the ladies room. I make sure to show off my outfit by walking closer to them. A group of college kids happen to be in that vicinity, and I totally enjoy hearing one whistle under his breath at me when I pass by. I equally enjoy the murderous look Mark sends the kid that he doesn’t think I see.
When I walk back out, I go up to the bar to order another pitcher for our table, but before I can order, Whistle Boy sidles up next to me.
“Hi. What are you drinking?” Whistle Boy asks, flashing me a dashing grin. He’s cute and way too young for me. I don’t want a pet.
“Are you even old enough to drink?” I ask, and he smiles as if he just accepted a challenge.
“Yes, I’m old enough to be here. You have a bit of fire. I like that. It makes you even more beautiful.”
A throat clears behind us, and I turn expecting Colin or Trystan to be in big brother mode but find Mark instead.
“Buying her a drink won’t be necessary, man. I have her next pitcher.” He gives a protective “I’ll fuck you up where you stand if you keep looking at her like that” smile that renders me speechless. It’s hot and feral and does crazy things to my lady bits.Nope, don’t go there.
“Sorry,” I say sheepishly to Whistle Boy and turn to glare up at Mark. “Are you my big brother or something now? Or are you going to pull the fake boyfriend card again?”
“Just saving you some trouble from the drunk college boys.”
