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“Maybe she doesn’t like him?” I guess.
“She doesn’t have to like him,” Josh points out. “Just sit and flirt with him for a few minutes.”
We both watch as the guy asks her a question. She gives him a tight smile and a short response, then they’re both silent. She sips her wine. Frowning, the man leans forward and tries again, asking her another question. She just nods, looking down at the bar. His face flushes with annoyance.
“Christ,” I say, drawing a zero in the ‘body language’ category. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such shitty chemistry. Maybe he’s a total douche?”
We watch as the guy tries to ask another question and gets ignored again. Frustrated, he slams his drink on the bar and stands.
“I know what this is,” he announces, raising his voice so we can both hear. “You’re one of those girls who just flirts with guys to get free drinks, aren’t you?”
Josh starts to rise out of his seat, but I tug him back down. “She’s a big girl,” I remind him. “She can handle it.”
“I want to know what they’re saying.”
I consider, then gather up our drinks and hop along to the next booth so we can hear better.
Layla looks confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Sure,” the guy blusters. “You’ll sit and talk with me until I’ve got my credit card out, and now you just want to leave? Here’s a tip: next time you come out for a drink, bring your own damn cash.”
Layla stares at him. “Okay,” she says loudly. “For your information, I am perfectly capable of buying my own drinks. I was legitimately interested in you. But I’m sure as hell not anymore.” She stands, shoving the glass at him. “Here. Keep your drink, if you care about it that much.”
“I can’t drink wine, I’m a guy,” the man sputters.
The look Layla gives him could dissolve glass. Snapping open her clutch, she pulls out a crisp ten-pound note and drops it on the bar. “There. Enjoy. Prick.”
She tosses her hair over her shoulder, turns on her heel, and saunters back to our table. When she reaches us, she crosses her arms, looking between us. “Well? How did I do?” She drawls.
Josh and I exchange a look. I pat the empty seat at my side. “Sit,” I say slowly. “We’ve got a lot to discuss.”
***
TEN
***
LAYLA
My cheeks burn as I slide into the booth next to Zack. Humiliation is thumping through me.
That attempt of flirting went horrendously, even by my standards.The worst part is, I legitimately was trying. I wouldn’t have agreed to do this if I wasn’t going to give it my all. I just got really nervous.
Before I pissed him off, the guy seemed nice enough. He sat me down and offered to buy me a drink. He seemed interested in my work. We were chatting normally, and then he put his hand over mine, and I just froze.
Josh tilts his head, studying me. He’s dressed up today, in a black collared shirt that brings out the gold in his skin. He looks hot as Hell. “Tell me what happened,” he orders.
“I just… couldn’t think of anything to say. My mind went blank.”
“Was he a minger up close?” Zack asks loudly, his voice echoing through the dim bar.
“What?”
“Did he smell rank, or something?” He demands.
“No? I didn’t notice how he smelled at all. Do you have to shout?”
“Then why were you looking at him like you thought he’d give you the plague?”
