I realized I had been holding my breath and exhaled slowly as he passed by. Katy squealed softly. "Oh my God..." She breathed and I thought her smile might finally split her head wide open.
"I know, right!!" I giggled as she said "I totally saw that!!"
"What?" Isaac said suddenly and we realized he had been rambling on during my quick and silent flirtation with the mystery man.
"Liv! She was making goo-goo eyes at that gorgeous boy back there!" Katy replied excitedly.
Isaac looked down into his drink, swirling the ice around and I blushed furiously, but I couldn't disagree.
The band began playing then, something surprisingly soft and jazzy, and I glanced over my shoulder at my mystery man. He was standing in a huddle of about six or seven other generally attractive men. He glanced up at me and even though I had never really had a shy bone in my body, I felt my face heat up under his stare. My breath hitched. I spun back to face the bar suddenly and grabbed a drink menu to peruse in a fashion I had hoped was natural.
i Remy Martin...Blue Tsunami...Loco Island...Remy Martin...Blue Tsunami... I was gradually realizing I was seeing the same drinks over again but not actually reading them when I hear Katy clear her throat loudly. Isaac nudged me in the shoulder and when I looked up from my black curtain of hair I felt a prescence behind me.
"Can I borrow that?" A deep voice blew hot breath over my bare shoulder. i Him.
"Sorry. Absolutely." I laughed sheepishly and passed him the menu. i What was wrong with me? I wondered silently as my hands nervously patted my hair. He didn't leave though and instead wedged himself between me and the empty seat to my left. His shirt sleeves were rolled up slightly exposing half his forearms and when he leaned against the bar I couldn't take my eyes off the way his veins protruded through his bronze skin.
"The Flirtini's sound really good, yeah?"
"Actually, I think that's what I was going to decide on." I lied. I didn't even remember seeing the Flirtini.
"Perfect." he purred and I caught the edge of a Northern accent, New York, maybe. "That's exactly what I ordered." He winked at me and sauntered back to his friends before I could reply. Merely seconds later the bartender placed a pink liquid in front of me, christened with a pineapple ring.
"Courtesy of the gentleman you were speaking with." He explained.
Isaac rolled his eyes and muttered, "What kinda moron spends his money on a chick he has no guarantee of going home with?"
I usually would have feigned offense but I was busy beaming over my $11 worth of liquid flattery.
"The kind of moron that has a tummy you could bake cookies on!" Katy gushed and lightly slapped Isaac on the back of his head.
"He's rude, too." Isaac snorted. "What if we had been together?"
Katy laughed, maybe too loudly, and I gave him a quick glance to prove his ignorance. "Yeah, real rude guy." I spoke mockingly and turned to raise my glass to the handsome stranger.
Moments later, as I was finishing my glass, he walked slowly back towards the abr and settled into the space next to me.
"Enjoy your drink?" His honey eyes were shining, probably from the alcohol and I caught a whiff of his scent, a strong, musky cologne.
"I did; thank you."
"Oh, you're welcome. But you are indebted to me." He smiled, and though I returned with one of my own I wasn't sure he was entirely joking. "Is this your boyfriend?" His voice was lower and he gestured in Isaac's direction."
"Funny you should ask..." I mused, thinking Isaac still wouldn't have liked him even if he had hear that. "No, no boyfriend." I said firmly.
His grin widened. "You owe me a phone call." His eyes had a twinkle and he kissed the top of my hand lightly and pulled a business card from his back pocket simultaneously. The white card fluttered to the bartop and he walked out the door.
CENTERJOSHUA LEARE RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING 360-555-2361
It read in glossy, black ink and a light gray, circular pattern embossed on the top left corner. It seemed expensive and legitimate.
"Woo!" Katy cheered as she danced to where Joshua Leare, contractor, had been standing. "Good for you; it's about time you got some real action!" She gave my waist a tight squeeze and I wasn't sure what she meant by "real".
"I know, I know, I'm such a recluse." I laughed with her and climbed off the bar stool. "Let's dance!" The band had begun playing a snappy tune. I called excitedly to Isaac over the music and reached for his arm, but he moved just out of reach. His face was dark.
"Actually, I'm going to bail. Do you need taxi money?" He was pulling out his wallet to pay our tab.
"Uh. No. We're fine." I stammered, although I couldn't say I didn't see this coming. "Are you sure?"
"Oh yeah." He replied quickly and stuffed his wallet back into his pocket. He stood, nodded to Katy once, and began to pull on his jacket as he left the bar.
"Ouch." Katy sighed. "Drama, drama, drama."
I smiled tightly as she pulled me to the dance floor. After a moment of halfheartedly moving to the music, I stopped. "Actually, can we head home too? I have to go into work sometime in the morning to balance this week's work." I explained lamely.
"Mhm, yeah." Katy pulled our coats from the stools. "We can talk about 'Sir Hotness' in the cab."
I laughed and linked arms with her and we did just that the entire ride home.
*****