Author's Note –To everyone who alerted, favorited and left a review – thank you. It's amazing that you're all looking forward to more after 1 chapter!

As always, huge hugs to my team – SparklyMeg, MidnightCougar and Iris for making these words pretty. Without them it would be a mess.

oOo

Chapter 2

'A few drinks' turns into a lot, and hours later, we can still be found at our table at the back of O'Neills. Our friend, Angela, and her fiancé, Ben, have joined us, and the two guys sit on the end while the girls celebrate mine and Jess' upcoming appointment.

"We've got this, Bella... or you have this… which means I have this, too… So, yeah." Jess finishes the rest of her drink and looks at me triumphantly. "We have this, Bella."

I laugh and look to Alice, who rolls her eyes and makes a slashing motion across her neck, and I agree that it's time to cut Jess off. We should know better; she always passes tipsy and goes straight to hammered as soon as the wine's swapped for margaritas.

I stand and mouth "water" to Alice, and tilt my head at Jess before heading to the bar.

The place has gotten a lot busier since we arrived, with the live music about to begin shortly. The crowd starts from down by the stage, where people are waiting for the bands to start, and carries on up to the bar. It's a mixture of what seems to be students celebrating the end of another week of classes and women and men in suits who are merely thankful they've made it through another work week. I smile at some of the faces I recognize as other regulars of O'Neills and find a small space at the bar next to a group of rowdy guys.

A large man steps up next to me and yells for the bartender's attention. "Mr. Barman! Another round when you have a minute, please." He waves some money in the air once he's acknowledged. Then he grins, winks at me after realizing I'm watching him, and turns back to his friends.

I smile as I watch them clearly celebrating. Empty shot glasses line the bar, and each already has a beer in hand. They all seem to be focusing on one guy in particular, occasionally slapping him on the back or playfully messing with his hair.

I can't see much with his back to me, but I definitely approve of what I can see. A tight black t-shirt frames his back, perfectly hinting at the definition of muscles beneath it, and my fingers itch at the thought of trailing over them. I can see a hint of black boxers underneath dark jeans, which look as though they were made for him and him alone.

I look up as he turns, blushing when his gaze catches mine before I can look away. He smiles softly before it deepens into a full-on grin that I can't help but match. When he doesn't look away, I begin to feel self-conscious and tuck a strand of hair behind my ears. I turn back to place my order, only to catch his eyes in the mirror behind the bar, causing him to grin again.

I laugh and look down, wondering what I'm doing. I don't have time for a man. I have a job that controls my life right now, and I'm happy with that. I don't need the distraction.

Ignoring the flutters in my stomach, I focus on my hands on the bar top, the group of girls to my left, and the bar guy now showing off for them — basically anywhere but at the bronze-haired guy, who I can feel is still staring in the mirror.

It takes all I have to continue ignoring him, and I'm thankful when Alice slides up next to me.

"What's taking so long?"

I shrug. "Just busy. Mr. Show-Off's entertaining the girls up there."

"Of course he is," she mutters.

"Who's babysitting Jess?"

Alice rolls her eyes. "Seriously. That girl needs to learn to handle her booze. She's okay, just more excitable than normal. One more drink and then we're heading out, though."

I nod. "Me, too. I really do want to get into the office tomorrow and make the most of having a wedding-free Saturday before the season begins."

She nods, probably understanding more than anyone how busy we're going to get in the next few weeks. It normally only takes a couple weeks into the start of a new year for brides to realize they're getting married within the year and start freaking out.

Finally, the bar server comes over and takes our order. Alice and I order one for the road and one very large glass of water for Jess.

"Bella?"

"Yeah?"

She waits until I look at her. "Who's the hottie that keeps staring at you?"

I pay the bartender and turn to face her. "What?"

"Look." She nudges me, and I automatically look to the group next to us. I get another bright smile from the stranger in the black top before he turns back to his friends. It's enough to waken the butterflies in my stomach.

"You need to go and speak to him."

"No, I don't."

"Bella, look at him. He's hot, and he keeps checking you out."

I shake my head. "You know I don't have time—"

"Make time. I mean, I know I've said this already, but look at him."

I giggle and take my change from the bartender, leaving him a decent tip before I pick up our glasses. "C'mon. I came out for a few quiet drinks and nothing more."

She looks at me, then at the guy, and then back at me again as we begin walking to our table. "You're crazy. That's one fine specimen, and he's blatantly interested."

I shrug. "I just want to focus on my work."

"But you're not denying he's hot."

I scoff. "No, I'm not blind."

"Just stupid." She grins.

I bump my hip with hers. "Keep walking smart ass, or Mr. Turner can find another cake designer, one who's less cheeky."

oOo

The live music starts soon after we've made it back to the table, and the crowd surges forward toward the stage. The couples soon pair off and make their way to the makeshift dance floor, leaving me at the table with Jess.

"How're you feeling?"

She's nursing her water but has perked up considerably. "Better. That damn tequila… Every time."

I grin. "Maybe just stick to wine?"

She nods. "God, yes." She slides out of the booth. "I'm just gonna run to the bathroom, and then we can leave, if you want. My boss'll kill me if I go in to work tomorrow with a hangover."

I can't help but laugh. "Sure."

I watch briefly as she pushes her way through the crowd before taking out my phone. I always hate sitting alone in a busy place. It's like a free invitation to guys to come and sit next to you. At least I can hide behind my phone.

I pull open my calendar, already focusing on the next day at work, when someone sits down opposite me.

Assuming it's Jess, I return my cell to my purse and start putting my jacket on. "Ready to go?"

A throat clears — deep, masculine, and definitely not belonging to Jess. I stop donning my jacket and glance up at the stranger sitting opposite me with a nervous smile on his face.

The same stranger who smiled at me at the bar.

The same stranger Alice tried to get me to talk to.

The same stranger who looks really good in his black t-shirt.

"Go? Actually, I was just hoping for a dance."

oOo

Fic Rec: Nightmare Before Christmas by LyricalKris - When Edward's son died, he took Edward's heart and soul with him. Even a decade of mourning didn't seem good enough. But then, Edward met college student Bella who thrived despite her own tragedy. Can Edward's cold, dead heart beat again?

oOo

Still with me? Thank you for reading!