Page 5 of The Coach

“Yes way. You’re not hiding in the bathroom all night. Besides...” She grins mischievously. “He’s still watching the door.”

Nerves buzz under my skin. “He is not.”

“He is,” she says, dragging out the words with a singsong lilt. “I mean, probably. Okay so I have no idea if he is. But you’re not going to leave him hanging. Take a deep breath, and go say something. I’ll be your emotional support friend from afar.”

“I don’t meet guys like that in this small town!” I protest. “I can’t talk to him. What do I even say?”

“Don’t overthink it so much, Ivy. Just be normal. Be you. If he likes you, great. If he doesn’t, his loss. Why do you worry so much? Just enjoy the ride.”

I heave a sigh. “Okay. Good idea.”

“I’m not your best friend for no reason,” she says, crossing her arms smugly.

I glance at myself in the mirror one last time. My hair looks decent. My dress still fits just right. I can do this.

“Okay.” I say. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

I pull open the door before I can overthink it, stepping back out into the buzz of the bar. My heart pounds as I glance toward where I’d left him, praying he hasn’t disappeared.

Lauren gives me a quick thumbs-up before disappearing into the crowd, leaving me to fend for myself.Great. Thanks for the support, bestie.

I glance toward the bar. He’s still there, leaning casually against it, his drink in hand. The tux looks even better up close, tailored perfectly to his broad shoulders and lean frame. His eyes flicker to mine as I approach, and that faint, infuriating smirk reappears.

“You came back,” he says, his voice low and smooth, like he’s completely sure of himself.

I stop a few feet away, gripping my clutch tight. “It seemed rude to leave you standing here, looking so out of place.”

His eyebrow lifts, his smirk widening. “Out of place, huh? Is it the tux? Too much for a bar like this?”

“A little,” I admit, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach. “Most people don’t show up to the bars on Cherry Street looking like, uh, like that.”

“Like what?” he asks, his tone teasing.

I hesitate, suddenly feeling the heat crawl up my neck again.Why is it so hard to form words around this man?“Like you’re on your way to an art gala or some fancy awards ceremony.”

The man chuckles, a deep, warm sound that sends a shiver down my spine. “Well, for the record, I wasn’t expecting a Cinco de Mayo party. Honestly I’ve been so wrapped up in work that I totally forgot about it. It used to be one of my favorite holidays to celebrate.”

“And here I thought you were just lost,” I say, feeling my confidence returning as his grin softens into something almost...curious.

“Maybe I was,” he says, holding my gaze a little too long. My breath catches, and I feel the heat rising in my chest again.

“So,” he continues, tilting his head slightly. “Can I buy you a drink?”

The question is simple, casual, but it lands like a spark. My heart stumbles over itself, and I can’t tell if it’s his voice, his eyes, or the way his presence fills the space around him.

I falter, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Sure. Why not? You’ve got to learn all about me, right?”

He grins. “Tell me your top three fun facts, then.”

“Well, I love old paintings, trains, and eating late night meals in diners. That about sums me up, honestly. I’m a pretty simple girl.”

“Tequila alright?” he laughs, his voice smooth and casual, like he already knows I’ll say yes. “I’m also a fan of those three things.”

I shrug, forcing myself to meet his piercing blue-eyed gaze. “I mean, itisCinco de Mayo. So tequila seems appropriate.”

He nods, turning to the bartender. “Two shots of tequila, and two bottles of Dos Equis.”

The bartender starts prepping but pauses, frowning as he glances over his shoulder. “Ah, sorry, man. We’re out of limes.”

---