AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Very well. I work the next street over. I’m redesigning a city block of store windows for the holiday season. So you’ll be coming back to Chicago since the opening is only a couple of weeks away?”
Leo nods. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”
My gaze meets his unblinking one. It tickles the warmth in my lower belly. “Serendipity.” I smile. “There’s a lot of people in the city. Do you believe in happenstance?” I say, flirting a little.
“I believe anything is possible,” Leo says.
“Let’s cheers to that,” I say and lift the shot glass. I hold one lime in my other hand.
We look at each other, and my heart begins to flutter again. We tap the glasses together and shoot our drinks back. My eyes water, and I blink rapidly from the harsh liquor. I bite into the lime and welcome the sourness as I swallow it back.
Placing the empty glass on the bar counter, I say, “The guy I was dating for three years decided he wanted to explore the ocean.” I pause to lick my lips and decide to go the whole nine yards. “Then I got stood up by this new guy. That’s the real reason I’m here.”
“Ouch. It’s a good thing I ordered another round,” Leo says. “It’s been one hit after another for you.”
ChapterTwo
Trista
He isn’t wrong.
I dump the lime into the shot glass and push it away. I’m surprised I’m divulging so much information that I pick up my phone to check where Noelle is. I send her a quick text.
“What a total cliché I am tonight,” I say. Though, I’m not sad about it. I’m in rebound mode. “I got dumped and need to get drunk.”
“It’s a classic story,” he says, shaking his head but going along with me.
My smile widens. I like how he responds, like it’s a rite of passage. My phone chimes, and I reach for it. Swiping it open, I read Noelle’s text and deflate. Her car won’t start, and she needs to have it towed before the yard closes for the weekend. I offer help, but she says to have a drink on her and text her when I get home. I put my cell phone away just as the bartender brings the next round of shots.
Leo cautiously slides a shot glass toward me. “Judging by your face, I’d say there’s more shit news.”
“My best friend can’t make it now.”
I pick up the shot for what it is and study it. A series of shitty, unfortunate events. I fall into a fit of giggles wondering how this is my luck right now. The nicotine combined with the liquor makes me feel a little tipsy already. I look at Leo. He makes me blush.
“I’m glad you ordered this. It’s like you knew.” I tease, hoping he’ll get my drift.
Leo’s knee bounces between us. He blinks and our glasses tap once again. He doesn’t tear his eyes from mine. It feels intimate, like he’s stripping me down. I bite into a lime wedge then place it on the white napkin. A flush spreads through me. I exhale and turn toward Leo.
“Now that you know about my love life, what about you?” I ask. “Are you married?”
I instantly regret my question. I wanted the focus off me, but then I stupidly ask him his relationship status. It’s like a gateway question for more.
Yet, as I look at him, I can’t deny that I’m not interested in him, or actually feel wrong for asking. Leo is so damn good-looking. He has this calm, seductive pull to him that I feel in the center of my chest. I’m attracted to him. Though, I’m not sure I have it in me to make a move after all the rejection I’ve endured recently.
“No, I’m not. I’m not dating or seeing anyone.”
“You’re probably lying,” I say, and his shoulders bounce as he laughs at my response. I look for his left hand. “What? You probably are.”
“Trista, the man-hater.” He pokes fun at me.
I smirk and unapologetically admit the truth. “I am a man-hater tonight. But do you blame me?”
His gaze roams over my face. “No, I don’t. But not all men are like that. The ex leaving is a blessing in disguise. You want to be with someone who knows there isn’t more than you. He won’t find what he’s looking for. His type is never satisfied.”
I need to slow down. The fire from the shots is warming my veins and making me feel even more tipsy. I take one more puff of my cigarette then offer the rest to Leo. He leans in, and I inhale his cologne as the spicy scent curls around me. Leo brings the cigarette to his mouth and places his lips right where I had mine. He eyes me over the embers at the tip. Music plays over the speakers in the background, and I notice a band setting up. I realize Friday night has live music. Anticipation makes me smile. I love watching live music.
“How were you getting home tonight? Your friend?” Leo asks.
