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Malorie beamed under the attention; meanwhile, I would’ve preferred to be anywhere other than under my boss’s scrutiny.
“Nice to meet you all. So what’s good to drink here?” Malorie purred.
Craig was quick to give her a drink menu. “What’s your pleasure?”
Damn, watching Malorie bat her lashes was like attending a master class in flirtation. One during which I should take notes.
“I’ll take a Cosmo,” Malorie decided.
Craig turned to me. “How about you, Addy?”
“An IPA would be great.”
“You want some appetizers? The nachos and tater tots are great here.”
Malorie scrunched her nose. “None for me, but I bet Addy would eat both.”
The comment made me tense. But my cousin didn’t notice, instead commandeering Craig’s attention.
An hour later Malorie and Craig were playing darts in the corner, leaving me with the remainder of the guys. They were all nice and friendly; a couple even flirted with me. But with Leo sitting there, it was like being chaperoned by the fun police.
Not as if it made a difference to me. I didn’t see any of these guys as more than potential friends. But it was unnerving. Especially when I realized the only man I was attracted to at the table was the one who was purposefully ignoring me. Clearly, it was time to get back into the dating world if my body was lusting after someone I couldn’t stand.
When Malorie came back to the table, Craig not far behind, I was hoping she’d be ready to leave as I wanted to call it a night.
“We’re heading over to check out a club a few miles from here. Do you want to come, Addy?” Her pointed look made it clear she wanted the answer to be no.
She didn’t have to twist my arm. “No, thanks. I’m heading home. Have fun, you two.”
Craig put his arm around her. “Let me settle the bill, and I’ll be right back.”
I got up to grab a twenty from my purse and hand it to Craig, who was already protesting.
“No, you two were my guests.”
It was a nice gesture, but we worked together. “Appreciate it, but—”
He held his hand up. “How about you get the next round next time we go out? ’Kay?”
“All right,” I relented, watching as Leo excused himself from the table and headed off toward the back, probably toward the restroom. Goodbye to you too, I thought, annoyed by his attitude.
As I made my way out to my car, I dug for my keys, already looking forward to hitting the grocery store, grabbing a six-pack of beer, and making some chicken nachos once I got home. After that was accomplished, I planned to binge-watch Netflix.
Sighing, I looked around the parking lot. Crap, where had I parked? Wish I could say it was the first time I’d lost my car, but I often forgot to pay attention to where I parked. And recalling I was next to a white truck was not exactly helping. So I resorted to what I often did: I hit my panic button, relieved to hear the alarm sounding off two rows away. I pressed the button again to turn it off.
As I walked up to the car, I noticed the man leaning against it. I’d recognize his large frame anywhere.
“Lose your car?” Leo asked, amusement in his tone.
“Maybe my car lost me. What are you doing here?” And why was my heart slamming against my chest in seeing he’d waited for me?
“Making sure you got here safely.” He pushed off the car, indicating with his arm for me to get in.
“Oh, okay. Thanks.” Would I ever understand this broody man? I didn’t think so. But watching him stand there while I started up my car and backed out left me with a warm feeling.
ChapterEight
LEO
