Shit. “Yeah, well, I don’t?—”
“A-ha.” Pan squints one eye shut and wags a finger at me. “So you need awingman,is what you’re saying.”
“The fuck?” I blurt out. “No.”
It’s too much. My reaction. Because something sparks in his eyes.
“Knew it.” He snaps his fingers, sits back up straight on his stool.
“No,” I say, heart kicking up. “Seriously, don’t?—”
“Nah, nah, allow me. Ruby!” Pan cups a hand around his mouth to call her over. “C’mere, please?”
I can see her at the end of the bar, eyes wide in surprise. But she does.
“What’s up?”
Pan smiles. “You like Tink, right?”
Ruby blinks her glimmering lashes. “Sure,” she says slowly. “Sure, I like him fine.”
I don’t like where this is going.
“Nah, but I mean, you know.” Pan gestures with his own beer. “You think he’s cute?”
“Cute?” She laughs, but it’s a light, playful one, and she gives me what looks like a real smile. “Sure.”
I feel my face heat in spite of myself. I don’t want or need this attention, don’t know where I’m supposed to look or supposed to do. But Pan’s on a tear.
“You want him to take you out?” he prompts.
Now Ruby studies me. Like maybe she’s considering.
“Pan,” I say, sternly. “Come on.”
“I know, I know, maybe you don’t know him so well, but I’ll vouch for him,” Pan goes on. “We go wayyy back.”
Ruby frowns. “Didn’t you find him like six months ago? In an alley somewhere?”
“Eight months,” I correct. Before I can stop myself. “But who’s counting,” I add in a mutter.
“And he pretty much foundme.” Pan’s hold on me tightens just slightly. “Saved my ass. Which is how I know he’s legit.”
Ruby gives his arm—the one that’s not holding me by the neck—a little smack. “I know he is!”
“See? He’s the best. A real stand-up guy.”
And then, without warning, Pan flings an arm around my neck.
Warm. Loose. Easy.
My eyes flutter closed just a fraction of a second.
“Andverygood with the ladies, I hear.”
His voice jolts my eyes back open. In front of us, Ruby’s pressing her lips together, chin lifted, like she’s actually interested now.
And the pulse in my throat is hammering against Pan’s skin.
