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“Gigi.”
His brows arch. “Interesting name. Short for what?”
I open my mouth to tell him, but find myself oddly reluctant. “Just Gigi,” I mutter.
“Fair enough.” He shrugs and turns away to cut some limes and cucumber slices on a board. “So how did you end up here?”
“Well, I heard an old friend of mine works here, so… I came to see if the rumors are true.”
All the rumors, new and old. But can this guy help me?
“What’s his name?”
“Jarett.”
“You’re friends with J? That’s a first.”
“What do you mean?”
He finishes cutting up the limes and throws them into a bowl, then does the same with the cucumber slices. “I just never met any friends of his.”
My heart sinks. “You don’t know him well.”
“Nobody knows J well, sugar. He keeps mostly to himself.” He turns around, gives me an assessing look. “I take it he’s not expecting you to show up here.”
I shrug. “It’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always?” He sighs. “So why are you here, then, if not to meet him?”
“Just grabbing a beer.” I take a swig, to demonstrate. “And to see where he works.”
“Ah-huh.” He folds his arms on the bar. “Ask away.”
“Ask what?”
“The questions you came here to ask. I can’t give you his number, just FYI. I should always start with that.”
I realize I’m gaping. “You make it sound like girls come here all the time to ask for Jarett’s number.”
He tsks. “Only every other day.”
Oh crap. My plan officially sucks. I so didn’t need to know that. “So…”
“No, he doesn’t have a girlfriend. No, he’s not gay. Yes, he has an address. No, I can’t give it to you. Yes, he works here.” He stops. I wonder what my face looks like. “Did I cover your questions, or was there something else?”
Wait… Is that pity in his eyes? Jesus. I feel sick.
“Look.” I prepare to jump off the stool and make my escape. “That’s not why I’m here, okay? I knew Jarett years ago, and lost track of him. I just wanted to reconnect.”
“Sure.” David straightens, his gaze raking over me. “Lucky son of a bitch. All the pretty girls are after him.”
Suddenly, I don’t like this David all that much anymore. “Listen, asshole. Forget it, okay? I’ll be on my way.” I fish out my wallet and push some bills on the bar. “Have yourself a good night.”
“Hey.”
I’m already off the stool and heading toward the exit, furious with David, and furious with Jarett. All the girls asking about him, huh? Wanting his number. Wanting to know if he has a girlfriend.
Bitches. How could they…? And even worse, how does he…?
