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She reached under the counter and slid one over. “First time here?” she asked.
It must have been obvious.
I nodded as my eyes skimmed the menu.
“Might I suggest our Cosmopolitan? It has passionfruit-infused vodka and a champagne float. It’s a popular choice.”
“Sure, I’ll have that.”
For that price, I might as well have two drinks in one. I handed her back the menu and glanced toward the door. I wondered where my coworkers were. I checked the time on my phone. It was nearly 6:30 p.m. I drummed my fingertips on the bar top and glanced around the place.
It was beautiful. The lights were dim but warm, casting an orange glow over the tables. It felt incredibly intimate in here with small tables and corner booths. I could see why these men brought their dates here. You had no choice but to be pressed up against one another with a fancy cocktail in hand.
My eyes grazed to the end of the bar where they stopped suddenly on none other than Daniel Jacobs. I sucked in a quick breath and looked down at the bar top, hoping he didn’t see me, even though I could feel his gaze on me.
Please, don’t come over. Please, don’t come over,I thought.
I wasn’t sure I could handle being in his presence, especially if I had a drink in me. It would only lower my guard. With him, my guard was already practically at my feet. The last thing I needed to do was feel tipsy and brave, leading me to fail at flirting with a guy who was practically engaged and had no interest in me.
The pretty bartender slid my drink toward me. It looked beautiful. I didn’t think cocktails could be that pretty. It was pink and bubbly and had edible flowers floating on top of the champagne.
“Thank you,” I said, admiring it.
“Would you like to start a tab?” she asked.
“This one is on me,” Daniel said. “In fact, all of her drinks are on me.”
He was right beside me and I could smell his cologne, and it screamed expensive and incredibly sexy. I hadn’t noticed it during the whole two times I had seen him. I suddenly wanted it on my skin, so I could bring it home with me.
I turned to him and feigned surprise. “Daniel,” I said, putting my hand to my heart for effect. “What a surprise.”
“A pleasant one, I hope,” he quipped, raising an eyebrow.
Very.
“Thank you for the drink. You didn’t have to do that.”
He waved me off, like it was no problem at all. He probably did this for everyone.You’re not special,I reminded myself. He lifted up his glass. I lifted mine to meet his and listened as they clinked lightly together.
“Cheers to a fate,” he said, his eyes intently focused on mine.
I’m not sure what he meant by that, but it sounded awfully flirtatious. I ignored it.
“And cheers to your new girlfriend,” I said with a curt nod.
It sounded snarkier than I intended. I hoped he couldn’t sense the icy notes of jealousy that spilled off my tongue.Oof.I hadn’t even had a sip of my drink yet. I broke his gaze, and looked toward the bottles of liquor lined on the shelves at the back of the bar. I lifted my glass to my lips and took a long, heavenly sip. The drink was sweet and strong. I was in trouble.
Daniel looked ahead, too, taking a long pull of his amber-colored drink. There was a moment of awkward silence before he spoke again.
“She’s not my girlfriend, just so you know.” There was a gruffness to his voice, and I couldn’t tell if he was upset or angry. I found his voice rumbling in my core.
“Oh, I’m sorry. The papers…”
“Fuck the papers.”
Oh, he was angry. And was a hot kind of angry. I took another long sip of my drink, the bubbles dancing their way down my throat.
“Sorry,” he said, turning to me.