Page 33 of Vicious Little Darling

“Yeah,” I breathe out, forcing myself to look up at Xander, whose shoulder is only about a foot from mine. “This’ll be fun.”

He chuckles. “I think so, but we’ll see.”

Within fifteen minutes, the bar is packed, and I’m making drinks so quickly that I don’t even have a chance to talk to Xander, who I’m becoming more and more aware of with every passing brush of his arm against mine. It takes two hours for things to slow, and when everyone is good and liquored up, I finally have my chance.

“Hey,” I turn to him. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for rushing out on you before, when we got coffee.”

“It’s all good,” he answers, pouring us two shots of tequila. “Water under the bridge.” We clink glasses and down the shots. I sputter at the burn, and he chuckles. “Not used to shooting it straight?”

“I guess not,” I cough.

Xander quickly pours me a water and slides it across to me. “I won’t do that again. Sorry.” He gives me a sheepish grin, and I try not to stare at the way his black T-shirt clings to his muscles.

I sip the water, and wave him off. “It’s okay. I’m just having an off week, I think.”

He raises his brows. “Yeah? What’s happened?” There’s something soothing in his voice, which is just loud enough for me to hear over the hum of the bass.

I hesitate, running my finger across the slick counter. “Um, it’s kind of hard to explain.”

“A breakup?”

My cheeks flush. “I’m not sure I could call it that. I just kind of got hung up on this guy, and then he ghosted me.”

“Damn, that’s cruel. I took this girl out for coffee and then she kind of did the same thing.” His joke sets me giggling, overcome with guilt and relief at his playful tone.

“I’m so sorry.” I place my hand on his bicep lightly. “I messed up doing that. My head was just all over the place.”

“Seems like it still is.” He grins down at me. “But lucky for you, I don’t mind giving second chances to my friends.”

My smile falters slightly. “Right. Look at you, being so kind.” I instantly drop my hand from his arm, inwardly chiding myself for even thinking that he’d want to look at me in any other way, given that I just alluded to a breakup.

Dammit, I’m so stupid.

I swallow hard, relieved that one of the partygoers is approaching the bar. It’s a woman in a bralette and sheer black shirt, with handcuffs attached to her leather skirt.

She goes straight for Xander, naturally.

“Hey Handsome,” she says, leaning against the counter, her ample breasts—something I don’t have—spilling out of her top in a way that makes me jealous.

“What can I get you?” Xander asks, his eyes remaining on hers.

“Out of here,” she giggles, her breasts jostling as her chest heaves. “But for now, maybe just a Shirley Temple?”

“Got it,” he says, immediately beginning to make the drink.

“I’ve not seen you in here before,” she continues. “I used to come here all the time with my boyfriend, but we broke up about six months ago.”

“I’m new here,” he answers, sliding the glass across the bar to her. She places her hand on his forearm, her long manicured nails dragging across his skin. He instantly pulls away. “Enjoy.” He leaves her cold, and she stares after him as he slips off to the bathroom.

“Wow, he’s an asshole,” she turns to me, shock still apparent on her face. “I’m sorry you have to work with that.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I clear my throat, staring at the spot Xander slipped off to. I consider going after him, but hesitate, not wanting to leave the counter unmanned. Luckily for me, he returns in just a few minutes, jumping right back into serving customers.

“What’re you doing after this?” Xander asks randomly, hours later as the party begins to thin out.

“Going home to sleep,” I sigh. “I have to work at the bookstore in the morning.”

“Oh shit, the bookstore,” he gives me a sympathetic look. “That’s tough.”

---