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Alisha's eyes glance sideways for a second before returning to stare at Cole, who lowers his head an inch closer to hers. "You were sitting next to me at the bar when I heard you say no to that guy multiple times, and when he didn't listen, I did what needed to be done. I pushed him away, and I told him to fuck off. What is wrong with that?"
"I could have handled it myself. If I wanted your help, I would have asked for it. But you, Mister Grumpy, acted like a prince in a goddamn bulldozer."
"Fine. Next time I won't help the damsel in distress."
"Fine!" she fires back, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Everybody is staring, following this heated conversation between them. Cole and Alisha stay gazing at each other for another few seconds before he strides away. I have to admit that with his impressive height and physique, he resembles a bulldozer. As he walks through the room, people jump and step to the side when they see him approaching.
"Nick. What just happened?" I ask.
He shrugs. "I don't know. But what about you talk to Alisha, and I'll go to him?”
I nod my head, and he gives me a quick kiss on my cheek before walking off to find his friend.
Alisha is still standing next to the table, but her confident exterior shows cracks as she's biting down on her bottom lip. Suddenly, she moves and takes a seat at the table. Then closes her eyes for a moment while Amanda and Bella sit.
"Shall I check up on the food?" Brian asks, cutting through the uncomfortable silence.
Amanda nods. "Good idea."
Brian leaves, and I pour a glass of wine and hand it to Alisha.
"Explanation time," I say.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, she lets out a deep sigh. "What is there to tell? We met, and we didn't click. That's it, so next subject. Salud." She lifts the glass and takes two large sips of wine.
I notice Bella is observing Alisha for a while, and her lips curl. “So is Cole the Mister Grumpy?" she asks with amusement in her voice.
Alisha's eyes dart up, and her cheeks show a slight color.
"Oh my God, he is, isn't he?"
Amanda's brows knit together. "Uh... Explain.
Alisha keeps her lips pressed together.
"Okay, if you don't, I will," Bella says with a massive grin on her face.
"Don't you dare, " Alisha says, but Bella isn't afraid, and while making eye contact with Amanda, she speaks.
"Mister Grumpy, a.k.a Cole, is the man our dear Alisha met a few months ago. She told me she felt attracted to him the instant she saw him, but that night she was with someone else. Then things got a little out of control when began acting all handsy and pushy, not taking no for an answer. That’s where he came in,” she explains, pointing in the direction Cole had left. “He pushed and scared her slimy, creepy date, almost getting into a fight."
"I was drunk when I said that because I'm not attracted to that bulldozer," Alisha says, dismissively waving her hand. Bella, Amanda, and I glance over to her while she keeps rambling. "You've seen it yourself; we can't stand each other."
Bella, Amanda, and I glance over to Alisha, who’s still rambling. "You've seen it yourself; we can't stand each other."
I can't help but laugh out loud at her statement, and I'm not the only one. Amanda and Bella join in, making Alisha gawk at our laughing faces. She sits back with crossed arms and a pout on her lips.
"Love him or hate him; either way, he's been on your mind for months. And weren't you the one that a few hours ago described Mister Grumpy to us as, the man that is so mighty fine, he could make me come with one touch,” Bella teases.
An even louder laugh booms through the air behind us. Brian is back and standing by the table with a large plate in his hand. He takes the last few steps and places the large platter of food on the table.
"For you, ladies," he says.
My eyes dart over all the delicious-looking food. I read the cards with the appetizers' names: spicy stuffed mini peppers, cranberry glazed chili chicken wings, smoked salmon cucumber bites, and Chinese egg rolls. Brian straightens his shirt and scratches his throat, then his gaze flows to Alisha, and there is a twinkling in them.
"God, I want to see Cole's face when he hears you think he might have a magic touch."
