Page 5

I snort, resting one of my elbows on the counter so I can twist my stool to face him better.

“Well, Cullen, how much time do you have?”

He makes a jest of pushing up his shirt sleeve to check his watch and lets out a disappointing cluck.

“Just ten hours, I have a meeting at nine.”

“On a Saturday?”

He shrugs. “I’m only in the city till Monday, so I have a lot to squeeze in.”

“Oh.” Disappointment settles over me. “You’re not from here?”

“I am. I just don’t live here right now.” A shadow crosses over his features briefly. “I’m moving back in a few weeks, though.”

“That’s cool.”

Relief washes over me that I can possibly see him again, and I curse myself for already falling back into my old patterns that I swore to stay away from not even ten minutes ago.

“Yeah, I missed it too much.” He rests his own elbow on the counter and mimics my position. “Now, what’s the story?”

I bite my lower lip, that kernel of shame sprouting once again.

“I was stood up.”

“Seriously?”

“Yup.”

“That guy must be an idiot.”

I let out a groan. “I’m the one who feels like an idiot. There were so many warning signs. Like,somany, it’s embarrassing.”

“Hey, don’t put the blame on yourself.” He rests his hand over mine, and I try to suppress my blush as a strange connection zaps between our skin. “I don’t know you well, but I can tell that whoever he is, he can’t be worth shit because only a shitty person would make a girl as gorgeous as you upset.”

“Where were you three weeks ago, Mr. Ego Booster?”

“Miami.” He gives me one of those wry smiles again, and I can’t help but giggle. I freaking giggle like a schoolgirl with a crush. “Can I get you another drink? A proper one this time.”

I want to say yes to the temptation. There is just one slight issue.

“I’d love to, but I probably shouldn’t. I haven’t had anything to eat since noon. I’ll end up stumbling home if I drink anymore on an empty stomach”

Thanks to Mike, my stomach is practically eating itself at this point.

“Well, let me fix that.”

He waves over the bartender and asks for a menu, but the guy gives us an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, guys, the kitchen closed at ten.”

Of course, it did.

I came all the way to The Brass Stop and all I got were three shots of tequila. What a bust. It’s like the universe is telling me to just call it quits and accept defeat. That my love life is a joke and I should join a nunnery to save myself from further humiliation.

I give Cullen a soft smile. “It’s fine. I should just head home anyway.”

I am no longer delusional enough to believe Mike will suddenly appear after almost three hours. Hell, I don’t even want him to. I am done with him. I will just delete his number from my phone and crawl into bed with a tub of ice cream and watch reruns of my favorite medical drama until I pass out.