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“I was about to leave, but that’s a real flattering offer. You’re a pretty girl, and I bet you won’t have any trouble finding somebody here to make your night,” I said as nicely as I could.
Her face fell, and I felt like a jerk. I really needed to get my mind off Nicole.
“Now don’t get your feelings hurt, honey,” I said, a little friendlier. “I just got work early in the morning. I’m a builder.”
“You are? Well, I’m an LPN at Overton, and I thought I’d try coming over here on my night off, see if the men were any better in Rockford Falls. Seems like every dumbass in the world goes to Overton to pick up women, and we’re all out of their league.”
“I bet y’all are. And being a nurse is hard work. You deserve a night off.”
“Maybe you could make it a real good night for me. You look like you know what to do with yourself. Said you’re a builder? Are you good with your hands then?”
She was getting pushier, and it was a real turn-off. “I hope you find someone who’ll show you a good time. You have a nice evening,” I said.
“What? You’re still leaving?” she looked pissed off.
“Well, yeah, like I said, I got work tomorrow early.”
“It’s eight-thirty. You need to go home and watch Matlock before your evening meds, old man?” she laughed a little bitterly.
“I’m not leaving because I’m old and no fun. I’m leaving because I don’t wanna be here anymore. Good night,” I said.
I turned back to the bar and finished my drink, not bothering to look where she’d gone to next.
There was nothing about her that appealed to me. I didn’t want to look at her or hear another word out of her mouth. Good luck to whatever fool took her home for the night. I didn’t even watch to see who her next victim would be or if she left the place for greener pastures.
I left money on the bar for my beer and walked out.
18
Nicole
“Can we move? Please?” I hissed, grabbing Michelle by the wrist.
I picked up my drink and practically dragged her to the back corner table. The light bulb had burnt out in the fixture above the table so it was dim. It would make us harder to spot.
“If you didn’t wanna be seen, why’d we come to a public bar? We could’ve had a box of wine at my place if you were hiding out,” she said. “You almost made me spill my drink. And I’m being classy tonight.”
“A hard seltzer is classy?” I asked dubiously.
“It’s peach flavored.”
“It’s a can of hard seltzer, Michelle. It’s not a Gone with the Wind costume, okay?” I said.
“What’s got your panties in a bunch? Ohhhh,” she said, spotting Noah at the bar. “So you saw him come in and ran to hide? You’re being ridiculous. We’re not thirteen years old,” she laughed at me.
“What is wrong with me is that we did it in my office today!” I whispered.
Michelle just gaped at me. Michelle, who always had a hilarious and sometimes crude comeback, was speechless at my admission.
“I know. I know. It was a huge mistake. There was a problem with something he’d ordered, and I was pissed and we went in my office to hash it out—”
“Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” she snorted.
“It was crazy. I’m embarrassed to even think about some of the things we did. Up against the door. And other places.”
“On your desk?”
“In the chair,” I said, my face in my hands, mortified.
“But you’re so… professional all the time. It’s like finding out that one of the nuns from my high school was a secret dominatrix. It’s a good thing I’m sitting down. I might faint,” Michelle teased.
“Don’t be dramatic. It’s bad enough without you making me feel worse.”
“I just can’t believe it. You did the dirty with all of city hall outside the door. The mayor, the road commissioner, the comptroller, hell, the entire water department is in your building. Those nice old ladies that send out our water bills probably heard you pounding the builder like a worn-out mechanical bull.”
I snorted and then dropped my head onto my arms. “This is horrible.”
“It really is. I’ve never been more impressed with you in my life.”
“Thanks, I’m honored. I just don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. I’m not myself.”
“Sounds to me like Noah’s gotten into you. And out, and in again,” she laughed.
“Sure, have your fun. Laugh at me,” I said, rolling my eyes. In spite of myself, I giggled. “And he sure did.”
“Do you think there’s potential with Noah? For something real?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I—” I turned around and looked at him sitting at the bar, drinking alone. “Maybe I should go over there and—”
