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“Other than that measly lip-lock with Garrett, my dry spell stretches on.”
“Not for much longer. It’s Friday night. There are countless cocks to choose from.”
“How appealing.” But I take a glance just to humor her.
The stage is similarly set from my first visit several months ago. It’s strange to think how much has changed, but also how little. June has arrived and summer officially starts in a few weeks. I’d be tempted to assume the season is already in full swing based on the skimpy outfits. Roosters is definitely giving off a steamy vibe tonight. Suddenly, my knee-length dress doesn’t feel that sexy.
“How about him?” Abbie waves to the left where a guy is standing alone while perusing the crowd.
“Seems to be on the prowl,” I mumble absently.
“Which is perfect,” she chirps.
A cursory glance suggests he might be my type. He’s not bad to look at. The smile he’s wearing reaches his eyes, crinkling at the corners. His tall frame is broad with plenty of meat on his bones. Yet the giddy flutters from instant attraction are noticeably absent. But I need to kick this doomed crush sooner rather than later.
“Sure, why not.”
She lifts a brow at my limp tone, but slides off her stool to test the waters. “Super. Try to inflect a tad more enthusiasm when I bring him over, yeah?”
“If he’s even interested,” I mumble.
“Hey,” she snaps. “Any man would be a lucky bastard to snag you.”
A thrill zips through me at the familiar words. Garrett said something similar at the farmers market. My hopeful heart doesn’t care that he was playing pretend.
I watch Abbie skip off to the lone wolf on a hunt for his next meal. She points at me, and his gaze follows. What I assume is a pleased grin tilts his lips when our eyes connect. Not a single flip flop in my belly. That doesn’t mean there’s no chemistry. It could just be hidden under unrequited feelings for a perpetual bachelor.
The man saunters toward me. He isn’t shy about checking me out while erasing the short distance between us. “Is this seat taken?”
I peek at Abbie hovering over his shoulder, flashing me a double thumbs-up. My gaze shifts to him. A smile that feels wrong rests on my lips. “Nope, it’s all yours.”
“Brent,” he offers as an introduction.
“Grace,” I say in return.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Cheesy line aside, I manage to keep my mouth from losing its upward curve appeal. “Likewise.”
“You’re very beautiful.” His gaze burns straight through my clothes as he gives me a suggestive thrice-over.
“Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.” The compliment tastes bitter.
A lull I’m not overly eager to fill makes itself cozy for an extended snooze. Brent drags a hand through his hair. The disheveled tresses are thick and begging to be tugged on. Even that prospect doesn’t stir a tingle.
“Nice straw.” He juts his chin at my drink.
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up at the reminder. Garrett provided me with a fun curly version that’s more commonly seen in party favor bags for kids. It got a cheerful giggle out of me just the same.
“The bartender is a… friend. He spoils me with goofy straws and personalized cocktails.”
His brows rise at my slight hesitation when slapping a label on Garrett. Before Brent can reply, a shadow appears over us. My favorite flirt at Roosters is looming from his usual post behind the bar.
Speak of him and he’ll appear.
Although, Garrett doesn’t look like himself. Gone is his signature golden retriever smirk and carefree spirit. Instead, he resembles a thunderstorm ready to strike a very specific target. My gaze boomerangs between the two men. One is oblivious to the nearby threat while the other prepares for battle.
“Hey, you.” I wiggle my fingers at Garrett.
