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1
Winter Break
Liam
Tucked away in this crowded Vegas bar with an SUV-sized wreath strung overhead, I’ve found what I’ve been looking for.
I don’t even know her name. But for some reason, this adorable little drunk with her sad eyes, crooked bun, and preoccupation with revenge is the perfect distraction.
As a rule, I’m not big on introductions. My size sets me apart from the average joe, but without the helmet and stick, my face alone doesn’t give me away as a Chicago Slayers hockey player. But the name Liam Diesel? Even outside Illinois, it’s occasionally enough to make the connection.
Still, there’s something about this girl that has me acting out of character, ready to throw caution to the wind and give up my name so I can get hers. Maybe find out what spurred this hard grudge against love she’s got going. If her story is worse than mine.
Not likely.
I start to introduce myself, but her index finger mushes against my lips.
“Uh-uh-uhh. Whatever your name is,Sexy Strangerhas a way better ring to it. Packs more punch when I tell my ex, ‘I didn’t evenaskhis name.’”
It’s the kind of warning that at any other time would have me making up an excuse about a sick cat and finding another bar. Not today.
“Agreed.” I don’t sleep with drunk girls, but for the purposes of this little revenge fantasy, I play along. “You don’t want to go home and be like, ‘His name was Francis.’”
She sits straighter. “His name was Francis. And he was astallion.” Her eyes cut to mine, narrowing a little. “Your name is Francis?”
“Nah. It’sSexy Stranger.”
She smiles, and her face transforms from pretty into fucking gorgeous. “See, that’s why I like you.” She blinks. Wrinkles her nose. Slants an assessing look my way and lets out a gusty sigh so chock full of disappointment, I raise a brow.
“Problem?”
She nods. “I think I like you too much to use you for revenge. Feels like we’re friends. Can’t take advantage.”
Damn, there’s something about this girl. “By having sex with me?”
“Meaningless revenge sex.”
Got it.
“Okay, friend. So why are you after revenge? And on Christmas Eve, no less.”
Her smile blinks out and those too blue eyes fix on the flute of champagne already losing its bubbles. “Tale as old as time.”
Pretty sure she’s not talking about a Disney movie. “Cheating ex?”
“Nailed it in one.”
I blow out a heavy breath. “Fuck him.”
“Everybody else has.” She pushes the champagne around. “So, I pawned my engagement ring when I got here. And I’m going to put my money on the game with the worst odds.”
“You want to lose it on purpose?”
“Nah. I’m in it to win.”
She’s so confident. This I gotta hear. “Tell me.”
“Well, what are the odds that my fiancé, the guy I’ve known since birth, have been dating since high school, and thought was my best friend would have his dick in our warehouse manager’s throat the night before our wedding… or that I’d walk in on him in the act? Slim, right?”
