“Maybe she was rushing out because she got a text that she was late to her birthday party. It’s her birthday today, you know.”
Shit. Itisher birthday. This must have made it even worse. “I’ll take my check now.”
Laura doesn’t look happy with my request, but she obliges. I open the black folder and toss in my credit card without looking at the bill. Laura takes it away, and I sneak another bite of cake, because damn, it is good cake. While I’m tempted to take it home, I’d be hard pressed to explain to Jane why there’s a mauled Barbie cake on the counter.
Laura brings back the black folder, slipping it toward me seductively. When I open it to retrieve my card and sign the receipt, I see that she’s added “I’ll be happy to serve youanytime, Cole.” Her number is written underneath.
Jesus. This woman can’t take a hint.
I sign my name, add a tip, then toss it on the counter as I get up.
“Call me,” Laura practically shouts after me, but I ignore her, because all I can think about is Holly.
Holly is all I can think about all week, actually. She fills my thoughts and my dreams, and takes a starring role when I jack off in the shower. This is becoming a huge problem, because Holly made it clear she thought our encounter was a mistake, and I honestly can’t dispute that. Which is why I readily agree when my brother Logan asks me to go to Whistlestop, a bar downtown, with him on Saturday night.
It’s just what the doctor ordered. The place is packed with tourists, which means my chances of a random hookup are high. I don’t understand why an uneasy feeling washes through me.
This is exactly what I need, right?
The fact that Holly springs to mind only confirms that I need to exorcize her from my thoughts.
