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“Alright, lovebirds, I’m off. You know the drill, right?” I ask Dylan and Summer as I head toward the door.
“We do, but I’m still not sure I like this,” Dylan says, peering over the back of the sofa.
I roll my eyes, ignoring him and his overprotective brother vibes. I can take care of myself. Mostly. At least, that’s what I’m choosing to believe. Summer smiles as she gives me a wave. “Have an amazing time; that man is heaven.”
“Geez, do you want to go with her?” Dylan huffs as I walk out the door, and when Summer giggles, I have no doubt that conversation is going to lead to something I don’teverwant to think about.
When I arrive to meet Wes, he’s already there, waiting at the bar, deep in conversation with a kid beside him. He doesn’t see me arrive, and although I thought I was fine with meeting him, I’m relieved. The second I laid eyes on him my heart began to race. I’m on a date. Even if we don’t actually call it that. And that’s something I didn’t think I’d be doing for a while.
My ex, Greg, was an asshole toward the end of our relationship. He was possessive and jealous, yet wouldn’t give me the time of day if he had better things to do. We’d been together for two years, off and on, and it’s only been six months since we broke up. This is supposed to be my single time. And yet, as I look at Wes, my eyes focus on his inviting smile, his kind eyes, and the way he makes my heart flutter, and I suddenly want to throw caution to the wind and see where it takes me.
Inhaling a deep breath, I move toward him, stopping a few feet away before getting his attention with a wave, biting back a smile. He gives me a puzzled look but waves back before rising to meet me. “I don’t usually bite, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Nope, I wanted to avoid another run-in. Thought I’d greet you at a safe distance.” I finally let my smirk break free.
Wes laughs as he jokingly rubs his shoulder. At least, I hope he’s joking.God, if I fuck up his game…
“Hey, I’m kidding,” he says, seemingly reading my thoughts. “I’m fine. No pain at all.” He rotates his shoulder to drive his point home, and I laugh in relief.
“Okay, good. Who’s your friend?” I ask, pointing to the extremely attractive—but young—guy Wes was talking to, as he watches us both with curiosity.
Wes gently presses his hand to the small of my back and motions toward him. “I’ll introduce you before we sit.”
Naturally, I stiffen slightly at his touch, but it’s so subtle I don’t think he notices, until he releases me and takes a small step away.Goddammit, Lucy.
The guy stands when we approach, and smiles. “You must be Lucy. Wes and I just met, and yet, I feel like I know you.”
Wes grumbles beside me while I quietly laugh. “That’s me. And you are?”
“I’m Grayson. Here to drown my sorrows since getting divorced.”
“Sorry, what?” I blurt out and then cover my mouth as both Grayson and Wes chuckle beside me.He looks seventeen; I can’t help my reaction.
“Sorry to hit you with the heavy. I thought it was only fair since I knew so much about you.”
“Thank you. I guess. But…sorry, I realize this is completely rude…how old are you?”
Grayson’s lips pull into a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m eighteen.”
Eighteen!God, to be going through something so adult, so young. My heart breaks for him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I didn’t mean to bring the mood down. You two go and enjoy your date. I’ve got a meeting with my agent anyway.” He pays his tab and pats Wes on the shoulder as he walks past, before giving me a polite smile. And then he’s gone and I have so many questions.
“Ahhh…”
“How about we sit and I’ll tell you what I know?“ Wes says, anticipating my question as he holds his hand up toward a booth.
Holding back my barrage, I nod. I couldn’t think of a better idea.
The bar’s pretty quiet, so the waiter arrives to grab our order as soon as we sit down. I ask for a margarita, needing to calm my stupid nerves—although my brief interaction with Grayson certainly helped take my mind off things for a moment—whileWes orders a water, making me cringe. “Shit. A bar wasn’t really a great choice for you midseason.”
He huffs out a laugh before smiling. “It’s perfect, and I’m not really here for the drinks.”
My chest heats at his warmth, and it’s a new feeling for me. I’ve had guys’ attention. A lot of it. And I’ve always been sucked into their bullshit, but I don’t usually blush. Something about Wes’s attention feels different.
“So are you on vacation?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts as he leans forward, giving me his full focus. My pulse quickens at his intense gaze, but it’s not a negative feeling. It’s definitely welcome.
