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About an hour later, Ellery leans over the table toward me. “There’s a guy checking you out.”
Bryce looks in the direction Ellery indicates and nods. “He’s hot too.”
“Oh, I’m not looking to hook up or anything,” I say, but Ellery waves him over. “Ellery!”
“This is girls’ night out,” Bryce says with a bit of a whine in her voice.
“I know, but it’s also Adeline’s first night out since she had Clover.” Then Ellery looks at me. “I’m not suggesting you go to the bathroom and screw his brains out, but a little interest from a guy never hurts the ego.” She shrugs.
“Hey,” a deep voice says from behind me.
“Hi.” I turn, and he sidles up to me, way too close for comfort.
“Hi. I’m Ellery.” She sticks her hand out over the table to him. “This is Bryce, and this is Adeline.” She finishes with her hands directed at me as though I’m center stage.
He nods. “Lincoln. Good to meet you all.”
Lincoln asks the table next to us if they’re using the empty chair and slides it over to join us. He’s attractive, to be sure, but the opposite of Damon.
Oh my god, brain, stop comparing him to Damon.
“Can I buy you a drink, Adeline?” he asks. “All of you, actually.”
Ellery smiles. “Sure.”
I glance at Ellery, but she turns and starts a conversation with Bryce about someone they went to college together with, leaving me no choice but to talk to Lincoln. I find out he owns his own tattoo parlor in the city and doesn’t live far from the bar we’re at. He moved to Chicago ten years ago from Milwaukee, and he loves it. He tells me about his favorite restaurants and how there’s one specifically he’d love to take me to.
Panic ensues.
“I have a baby,” I blurt.
Bryce almost spits out her drink while Ellery laughs.
“Oh yeah?” Lincoln chuckles as though he’s not sure what to make of that.
Seriously, Adeline, you can’t get through one conversation with a hot guy without telling him you have a baby?
“Yeah, she’s five months old and with her dad tonight.”
He nods. I can tell I’ve probably lost his interest, but I’ve never been in this situation. I don’t know what to do. And besides, I’m not interested anyway.
He asks me her name and eventually excuses himself, saying he sees someone he knows.
I down the rest of my drink in one gulp.
“Okay, so we have to start from scratch. You’re a little rusty.” Bryce smiles.
“Yeah, he doesn’t get your life story for just one drink.” Ellery laughs again. “I’m so happy I was here when that happened though. It was the funniest thing I’ve seen all week.”
“Happy to be the entertainment.” I shake my head and laugh at myself.
We have another drink, and I’m feeling slightly buzzed when we return to “The Den.” Both Bryce and I are struggling a little up the stairs—whether because of our heels or the drinks, I’m not sure.
“I tried to get Miles to install an elevator. Maybe you can ask Damon. He’s Daddy Warbucks.” Bryce heaves for breath by the time we get to Damon’s place.
“I can ask, but I’m only here until the season is over.” I chuckle.
She stops, looking surprised. “What?”
