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She side-eyes me, shooting a forced half-smile in my direction before focusing her stare on her hands, which are clasped and resting on her lap.
My brows draw together as I observe her, and I can’t help but think that she’s having a day as bad as mine.
“Have you ever seenHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?”
The question is out of my mouth before I know what I’m doing. She twists in her seat, her head raising as her eyes find mine.
I can’t help noting that this woman is a fucking knockout, even with her freshly washed long brown hair surrounding her like a halo. She’s wearing an oversized grey sweater over black leggings while looking at me with big brown eyes that have clearly been crying and cheeks flushed with emotion.
Even so, I force the thought from my mind, all too aware that thinking with the appendage in my pants is what put me in the direct line of this shitstorm in the first place.
“Y-yeah. Why?” Her reply is hesitant, but I can hear a sprinkling of genuine curiosity in her tone.
My mouth lifts in a lopsided grin. “Remember Hermione had a time-turner?”
She nods, her eyes tracing the lines of my face with clear interest, and I continue. “I’m having a day where I could really use one. You ever feel like that?”
And at that, her face lights up with a smile that almost knocks the breath from my body.
“I can absolutely relate.” She laughs softly. “A time-turner isexactlywhat I need right now.”
Just then, Darcy emerges from the back, her eyes landing directly on me as a smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.
“Long time no see, Alex!” She glances at the clock behind her. “Bit early for the likes of you.”
I shrug, shooting her an answering smile. “It’s Happy Hour somewhere, eh?”
She rolls her eyes as she shakes her head. “Alright, pretty boy. What’ll it be?”
“Macallan 64. Neat.” I slide a glance down the bar. “And please add whatever the lady would like to my tab, Darcy.”
For some reason that truly escapes me, I have the overwhelming urge to just sit and talk. To make her smile. To lift her spirits.
And I push that thought out of my head as quickly as it entered.
I don’tdofriendships. Outside of Liv. Possibly Vaughn and Gray, too – when he’s not being a dick.
The knockout shakes her head, opening her mouth to undoubtedly decline the offer, but I pre-empt her despite my internal reservations. “No pressure. Though my best friend would tell you that misery loves company.”
CHAPTER5
REYNA
“That Alex sure is a pretty one.”
Darcy’s smile is mischievous as she nods at the retreating back of the man in question while he strides toward the restroom, and I can feel my cheeks heat under her knowing gaze.
“I hadn’t noticed.” I pretend not to hear her snort, and shrug with a nonchalance I don’t feel. “I don’t have time for guys anyway.”
It’s true, too. I haven’t so much as kissed anyone in years.
At first, I’d been too focused on succeeding at Pearson, a relationship was the last thing on my mind. I’d had one hook-up that could have become more had I wanted it to, but I was determined to succeed.
Eventually, that determination had morphed into being too busy when I entered the workforce.
Even if I did have the time, I doubt I’d have the inclination at this point. If nothing else, my morning proves that men are misogynistic assholes.
“Appreciating a man as gorgeous as that one doesn’t need to be anything more than what it is.” She winks easily before moving off down the bar. “At least let him buy you a few drinks. From the sound of things, you deserve it, lovely.”
