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“Cheers,” he holds one up as I slide back into the booth and pick my own glass up.
“Cheers,” I sing, letting our glasses clink before we knock them back.
Shit.
I wince, the burn coating my throat, but I don’t dislike it. It makes a change from the burning coal that lodges in my throat, making me feel sick constantly.
“So, little miss Aspen, tell me… what brings you back to Lovelock Bay?” Conrad asks the burning question that is no doubt on the tip of everyone’s tongue at my return while reaching for the other two shots and sliding one across the table for me.
I puff out my cheeks, holding my breath for a moment before letting it out.
“Does it matter?” I ask him back, my tone a little blunt, my eyes striking back and forth between his and I hear him click his tongue to the roof of his mouth.
“Of course not, I am just trying to get to knowAspen Warren. I kind of got the impression that something has happened between you and them… just color me curious.” His tone is nonchalant.
“It was all a long time ago, things happened, people got hurt, I left… That’s about all there is to it,” I knock the shot back, wincing again and I catch Tabitha’s attention, holding my hand up, spinning my finger and I get a wink back confirming my order.
“And that’s all,” he sits back with his arms crossed across his chest smiling, not quite sure if he is buying my story.
“That’s all ya getting buddy,” I nibble on my bottom lip to stop my smile spreading.
“Fair,” he smirks just as Tabitha returns with the tequila shots.
“Just keep them coming,” I say as she slides them across the table.
“You sure about that sweetness?”
“Never been surer.”
The alcohol swimsin my veins, I feel warm, tingly and happy.
“I’m just popping to the ladies room,” I try to whisper, but we both know that I am far from quiet; I am happy drunk. Quiet is no longer an option for me.
“Okay princess,” he gives a slow wink and he sits back, calling Tabitha over. Scooting out of the booth, I stand on shaky legs and give myself a moment for my feet to anchor to the ground, to find the steadiness I need to actually move forward. My head is spinning one way, my eyes the other. I have a stupid grin on my face and it feels good to be actually smiling. Flicking my hair over my shoulder as I saunter towards the restrooms, passing the table ofthemas I do and confidence bubbles away with each step I take.
I look over my shoulder and see Conrad’s eyes on my behind and my cheeks flush. Pushing through the door, I inhale deeply before locking myself in the stall.
Washing my hands and drying them on a paper towel I look at myself in the reflection. My cheeks are rosy apple red, my lips plump and swollen because I keep sinking my teeth into my bottom one no doubt.
I like this look. I like looking happy. It’s only momentary, it won’t last. My heart aches when I think back to Luke, not that I should even let him have any of my heartache or thoughts, but, I did love him. I still do. I think? He hurt me. But at least we weren’t married, right? Imagine having to tell everyone that my marriage broke down because he fell for the LA homewrecking tramp.
“Ugh,” I groan, “they deserve each other. They can be tramps together.” I say to the empty room.
Throwing the paper towel in the bin with a little more anger than intended, I tug the restroom door open and wince as it hits into the wall.
“Damn it,” I sigh as I walk forward but look over my shoulder at the door to make sure it swings back to close when I hit into someone. “Oh my God,” I whisper ready to apologize when I hear a burly growl and my skin prickles. Snapping my head forward, my eyes trail up to see Riggs.
Fucking beautiful Riggs.
I’m flush with his body and I quickly push away from him, my chest heaving up and down.
I expect Riggs to step away, but he doesn’t. He steps forward, backing me towards the wall. His head dipped, and I smell the bourbon on his breath, his musky scent filled with leather and a lot of everything I shouldn’t still want.
“Riggs, I…” I stammer as my eyes search his face and I’m not sure what he is feeling. His eyes are soft, his breaths calm and not ragged like mine. His green eyes glisten with a streak of the old Riggs; kind and caring.
He goes to say something but stops and just as I go to question him, someone knocks into him, pushing him into my body and I feel him stiffen against me.
A low growl vibrates through him and he spins, shoving the poor guy into the wall opposite.
