Page 24 of Angels & Whiskey

“We don’t have time to drink our coffee here.”

“Yeah … we do.”

My heart stopped when I heard his voice and our fixed stares locked.

“No … we don’t.”

Mr. Green Eyes walked over and sat at the wood table across from me, my gaze watching his every move. “Yeah …we do,” he said, not taking his ogling eyes off of me. Mine lowered to my salad as I instantly became nervous.

If you only knew what I thought about last night, Mr. Green Eyes.

“Oh …” his friend sang, “wedohave time.”

I looked over at his friend. His short brown hair and brown eyes were the complete opposite of Mr. Green Eyes and his bald head.

“Excuse me,” the friend said. “We’re new in town and I see that you might have just worked out at a gym. Do you know the best one around here?”

“Um …”

“You did just come from a gym?” The friend motioned to my attire.

Finally finding my voice, I answered with a smile. “Yes, sorry, I go to Club 24. It’s just down the street.” I pointed in the general direction.

“Perfect,” the friend clapped once, nodding his head at Mr. Green Eyes.

My gaze fell back on Mr. Green Eyes as he sipped his coffee and stared at me. I had no idea what was going on, but it was awkward—especially after I’d thought about him while Rich fucked me the night before.

“So …” The friend whispered, leaning in closer to his friend (but I could still hear him), “This the trigger?”

Mr. Green Eyes looked at his friend then back at me. “Yeah.”

I tried to look away before he saw me staring, but I couldn’t help it. I was too confused to form rational thoughts. I wanted to know what he was thinking. Why he came over and didn’t even say hello when clearly he sat near me for a reason.

“I see …” The friend nodded, then turned his head back to me. “I’m Paul and this is Gabe. We might be seeing you at Club 24. Gotta stay in shape for the ladies and all.” I giggled and Gabe kicked his friend. “Ow!”

“It’s a really nice facility. They have everything,” I affirmed.

“Like what?” Paul turned his body around in his chair to face me fully.

“Well, all the basic equipment you’d find at a gym, but they also have a spa, salon, barber shop, café, juice bar, a volleyball court, basketball, racquetball—”

“Damn, they do have everything,” Paul exclaimed.

I looked back to Gabe, waiting for him to speak, but again he stayed quiet as he sipped his coffee. “Yeah, they just opened a few months ago too. I bet you can get a good deal for signing up.”

“Do they have a referral bonus? Maybe you can go with us and get an incentive?”

I knew I couldn’t go with them. I, without a doubt, knew that Rich had eyes on me all the time. Before I could respond, Brandi walked in and over to where we sat.

“Oh my God, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you at work?” I asked, looking up at her as she stood next to me.

“I wanted to check on you.” When she stopped talking, she looked at Gabe and Paul. “Am I interrupting something?”

I smiled. “No, just having coffee and lunch.” I motioned to my latte and salad.

Paul stood, sticking his hand out to Brandi. “I’m Paul. This is Gabe. We were just asking your friend where a good gym was.”

“Oh …” She looked back at me then to Paul. “Club 24.”