Page 2 of Bless My Heart

Breezers is your typical beachy kind of bar. Tourists love it because it’s right on the beach and surrounded by hotels, so it’s an easy place for them to walk to.

I like Breezers because it’s far enough away from my work that I don’t have to worry about running into any coworkers when trying to have a good time. It’s a huge buzzkill to talk about work when you are literally trying to forget that you are an adult for a few hours.

Lexi pulls Caroline and me through the crowd until she finds a high-top table near the bar. She has a crazy super power to sense when people are about to leave a table. Then, she swoops in and takes it. We all take a seat while she flags down the busboy to clear away the empty glasses.

A cute server stops at our table to take our order. His babyface suggests he’s a college kid, and his Justin Bieber vibes tell me he probably isn’t hurting for tips, especially on a busy night like this.

“Hey, my name is Josh. What can I get you ladies?” He has to yell so we can hear him over the music.

Lexi takes over, “We’ll start with three redheaded sluts and three Mai Tais to wash them down.” Jesus. I guess it’s going to be that kind of night. Josh gives her a smile and doesn’t bother asking for our IDs. I’m not sure if I should be offended or not. I also wonder if Lexi plans on ordering food. Starting the night off with a shot is fine and dandy, but I’ve only really eaten popcorn tonight. I’m going to need something to soak up the alcohol.

Josh brings our drinks out, and Caroline raises her shot glass to toast.

“To girls’ night!”

“To girls’ night,” we repeat and gently tap our glasses together before pouring the burning liquid down our throats. We probably should have waited for a chaser, but it’s too late now.

In between drinks, more shots, and the plate of nachos I had to order on the sly, Lexi and Caroline make it their mission to find me a man tonight. They check out every man in the near vicinity.

“Oh, look at that guy’s arms. I’d let him wrap those around me,” Lexi says.

“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure that’s his wife,” I say, nodding to the tiny blonde standing next to him.

“Oh, right. Ok, well, what about that guy? No woman at the table, and I don’t see a ring. He looks fit. He’d probably take care of all the hard work if you know what I mean.” She winks at me.

“Yes, I know what you mean, but I told you guys that I’m not ready,” I tell them, exasperated. I take a look around the bar just to give myself something to do, and my eyes land right on the greenest pair of eyes I’ve ever seen.

Green Eyes slowly looks me up and down, and my lower stomach tenses up. I immediately feel like I need to cross my legs. He meets my eyes again and subtly bits on his lower lip.

“Uh, I’m sorry. Are you eye-fucking that blond powerhouse over there?” Caroline asks. I can’t take my eyes off him. As he runs his hand through his wavy hair, giving it a more messy look, his biceps flex. He knew what he was doing when he put that tank top on today, too. He literally looks like he belongs at the beach. I bet if he took that shirt off, he would have tight, sun-kissed abs that I would do anything to lick right now.

“Hello. Earth to Hazel,” Caroline says, punching my arm to pull me out of my trance with Blondie.

“Oh, jeez. Sorry … I don’t know what happened. I think I’ve had too many shots.”

“Uh-huh. Why don’t you go introduce yourself?”

“No, absolutely not. He’s way out of my league, anyway.”

“No, he isn’t. He would be lucky to get into your tiny lace panties, and don’t you forget that.” Wow. Caroline and her pep talks.

“Well, it doesn’t look like you have a choice. He’s coming over here,” Lexi says, clearly giddy that this guy is interested in me. My eyes go wide, but the girls just smile. Oh no. This is not happening. I’m not ready for attention from the male species. Especially not from one as hot as this guy.

“Hey, I’m Wes.” I turn to look at him. He’s standing so close to me our arms are almost touching. His eyes are even greener up close, and he smells like the ocean with a hint of citrus. And damn if it doesn’t warm my body right up.

“Hi, Wes. This is Hazel.” Caroline puts a hand on my shoulder to introduce me since I’ve apparently lost the ability to speak for myself. “I’m Caroline, and this is Lexi.”

“Nice to meet you, ladies.” He looks them over before his eyes land back on me. “Hazel, can I buy you a drink?”

“Sure,” I say when I finally find my voice. He smiles, flashing me a beautiful set of pearly white teeth.

Our server comes over, and Wes orders me another Mai Tai and a round of tequila shots for the table. Jesus Christ. This night is spiraling away. I don’t think I’ve had this many shots since my twenty-first birthday ten years ago.

Josh brings us our shots and a fresh drink for me. I close my eyes and down the tequila. The burn gives me a second wind, and I feel ready to chat up Hotty McHotterson all night long.

“Are you from around here, Wes?”

There’s a twinkle in his eye as he says, “No, just visiting. What about you?”