Page 4

Corbin

B y the time I walk into the bar, the party is in full swing. If I had to guess, some of these people likely came directly after work to start their nightly binge. Tito’s has become one of the more popular spots in the neighborhood because of all the events they host.

Mondays are ladies’ night, followed by a Tuesday gentleman's evening, a monthly speed dating event, karaoke, and really just any possible reason to bring people in to spend money. I glance around at the tacky decor, full of black hearts and red roses, trying to hold back a laugh. My buddy really outdid himself, but he knows how to run a business.

Trent’s been trying to get me to come to his 'I hate Valentine's Day' party for years now, but I always tell him no. Unlike most places, he hosts his annual gathering the day before the holiday because, according to him, "It's the best way to find a date for Valentine's Day." A fool-proof method that he's had a one hundred percent success rate with.

I hate to admit it, but the fucker is clever. Most people who attend these kinds of parties are here under the false guise that they hate the entire concept of the day. In reality, they’re just looking for someone to connect with, even if they say they aren't. Human connection is the one thing we all naturally crave.

After a few drinks, most of these people will find their way to the dance floor, and by the end of the night, they will pair off to head to their tiny-ass apartments and fuck like rabbits for maybe an hour before passing out.

This is the kind of party I would have been all over in my early twenties. I used to be exactly like all of them, especially if there was a chance for a meaningless hookup. I can't even begin to guess the number of women I've woken up to in the morning after a bar night with no idea who they are.

That's just not who I am anymore. Life and age have caught up to me, not that I'm old by any means. Thirty is still young enough to hit the party scene, but I've started to really wonder if things would be different with a partner by my side.

The sandwich shop has kept me busy enough that I don’t usually think about how I’ve been alone for years now. I have to pour my time into something, though.

As I walk up to the bar, I'm met with a look of surprise on my buddy Trent's face. It's brief before it turns into a smug smile.

"Tired of staying home and jacking off when someone else can do it for you?"

"You're disgusting, you know that?" I roll my eyes.

"Wish I could say that was the first time I've been told that."

"Maybe you should take it under advisement then," I suggest, and he shakes his head.

"Boss!" one of the bartenders calls out, and he waves her off.

"You two can figure it out yourselves for a few minutes. That's why I pay you, isn't it? I'm having a conversation." He dismisses them.

"You should be nicer to your staff," I chuckle because Trent is and has always been a dick.

He nudges his head toward the packed bar. "Have you at least checked out the crowd? There are some bombshells here tonight."

I turn and look to appease him. The place is full of women in black and red outfits, some of them putting more effort into their looks than others. A few are wearing what looks to be lingerie while others took the more casual route.

One woman locks eyes with me, and I watch her deliberately eye fuck me. She gives me a half smile and waves the tips of her fingers, making me shake my head as I turn back to Trent. There's only one woman I'm interested in seeing tonight, and from the looks of it, she's not here yet.

I hope she doesn't stand me up. I’m not stupid. Asking her to come here made her uncomfortable, but even if she doesn't show up, at least Trent will get off my back about a night out.

"Give me a whiskey on the rocks, and don't worry about me," I say with a sharp undertone.

He eyes me wearily as he moves to the bottles on the wall behind him. He knows what I like, and there's nothing wrong with having a little liquid courage while I wait. I told her to be here at eight but figured I would come earlier to make sure there was no possible way I would miss her.

A glass is placed in front of me as Trent crosses his arms over his chest. "Okay, why are you really here?"

"I can't party?" I suggest making him roll his eyes.

"I've been trying to get you to come to my Valentine's Day party for years, and you've never shown up. In fact, you never come out at all anymore. The only reason you would be here on a night like this is because you're chasing some tail." He grins. "Please tell me Goody Boy Corbin is finally trying to get laid."

"It's not like that," I say, not denying the fact that I'm meeting someone tonight.

"I knew it! What does she look like? Is she hot? Does she have a sister? Do you want me to talk you up? I can tell her you save puppies or some shit like that."

"I want you to chill the fuck out and leave me be." I toss back the drink, knowing he's most likely going to fuck this up for me. I should have had her meet me somewhere else.

"Please tell me all about how he saved the puppies." A soft voice interrupts. "I think I would love that story."

I turn, and my heart skips a beat when my eyes land on the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. A strange sensation fills me, and I don’t know what to think of it. All I know for certain is that I want to do whatever I can to make her mine.

I knew she was gorgeous at the sandwich shop in her leggings, but dressed like this? I have to actively control myself from getting a raging hard-on like a fucking teenager.

"You look stunning," I say as I bend down to kiss her on the cheek.

When I straighten myself back up, I notice her wide eyed as a shade of pink creeps onto her cheeks. She's wearing a black mini-dress that falls just above her knees with black boots. The sleeves of her dress fall loosely over her shoulders, and her hair is curled, making me want to run my fingers through it.

I wonder if she's the kind of girl who likes to have it pulled. The sound of her moaning after taking a bite of that sandwich earlier fills my thoughts again. Fuck, this girl could tell me to crawl around and bark like a dog, and I think I would.

"Hello? I believe I asked to hear about the puppies," she persists, keeping her eyes on Trent.

"I don't really think that's necessary," he concedes.

"And why is that?" she tosses back, eyeing him like she recognizes him from somewhere.

"Because you're clearly already smitten for my boy Corbin. He kissed your cheek, and you almost climaxed. You two should save yourselves some money and just go to Corbin's place to bang it out. The sex might be better when you're sober."

"This is the kind of company you like to keep?" she directs toward me.

"It's not my fault. We were roommates in college. I had to be friends with him."

"Yeah? What's the excuse for keeping him around now?" she jokes.

"Free booze." I laugh before turning toward Trent again. "Get the lady a drink. It's the least you can do after ruining my second first impression. I've got to do everything I can to salvage this date now."

"Uh, not a date," she insists.

"Wow, kind of harsh there, cupid. Hate to break it to you, but this is a date. I'll change your mind by the end of the night, and then the two of us will leave here with me escorting you to your place like a true gentleman."

"I'll take a Gin and tonic. And not that bottom shelf Gin that's going to give me gut rot either. Give me Hendrick's."

"Bossy little thing." Trent laughs before turning to make her drink.

"Oh, and I don't live in the city. My place is a hotel room."

As he hands the drink to her, he looks back over at me. "I like her. She's got a bit of fire. Might be worth keeping this one around."

"Thanks for the approval, Dad." I roll my eyes before giving Poppy my attention. "Let's go over there where he can't bother us."

"Aww, I was just warming up too." She smiles but lets me lead her across the bar to a small corner with tables that are roped off.

"V.I.P.?" she questions.

"It helps when you know the owner. Lots of perks."

"I take it Mr. Personality over there is the owner?"

"Indeed, he is. It's not too loud here, is it? I didn't think things through when I brought this party up. I just wanted an excuse to see you again, and it was the first thing that came to mind."

"It's fine. I can hear you loud and clear." She takes a sip of her drink, and her eyes roll back in her head.

"You have got to stop doing that," I confess before I can stop myself.

"Stop doing what?" she teases, like she knew exactly what she was doing.

"Okay, cupid. What's your story? Should I be concerned?"

She hesitates a bit but then tells me how she's only in town for a few days. I’m given vague details about her as she continuously shifts the conversation back to me.

She must have walls up, but I'm confident that with time, I'll can get her to open up more. Every barrier will come down, one at a time, because I'd be crazy if I didn’t take a chance on a woman like her. Even if she isn't from the city, we could find a way to make things work.

Wait. Why am I so intrigued by someone that's basically a stranger? Is this what love at first sight feels like? No. I'm not in love, but I'm definitely infatuated.

The two of us spend the next hour or so talking and getting to know one another. I'm surprised by how easy it is to make conversation with her and how engaging it is. Any other time I've tried to date, I found myself tuning them out or picking out something about their mannerisms that bothered me. This one, though, she doesn't have a flaw in sight.

We polish off two more rounds of drinks before I gather enough courage to ask her to dance. Here we are, becoming one of the cliches of the night, and I can say with full confidence that I have zero regrets.