Page 16 of Love Is Ale You Need

“We don’t have to do the talk, but we could always do the sex again.” A slow smirk graces his lips. It’s equally sexy and cocky, and a trap I can’t fall into.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“So, you’re just going to resist my charm.”

I want to say no, crawl over this bar, grip his tie, and kiss the smirk off his face. Instead, I say, “Yes. But we can be friends.” I need to cram him into the friend box. Like yesterday.

“Like friends with benefits?” He quirks an eyebrow at me.

What is with everyone needing benefits? Can’t two grown adults of a different sex be friends? “Only friends.”

“Then I’m going to be the bestest friend you’ve ever had.” He flashes me a wink before rising to his feet, taking his beer with him as he strolls to the backroom.

My heart hammers in my chest. His words seem more like a promise than a threat, and that’s what I’m afraid of.

EIGHT

DATING ADVICE

Trey

My fingers curl around the edges of the round pub table and I roll it on its edge of the base from the corner of the backroom, so it stands at the head of the small rectangular table. While I wait for the rest of the guys to arrive, I pull out my phone. With a mind of their own, my fingers type out Kyle Hart on social media. It doesn’t take long to find him as he’s the only one in Harbor Highlands. He works as a financial advisor at a mediocre firm. His side part comb-over screams douche. While one social media page is set to private another one isn’t, and he has no qualms about posting pictures of himself cuddled up with a variety of different women. While I’ve been with my fair share of women over the years, I’m not posting pictures of them like a trophy collection. First impression, this guy is a piece of shit.

“Hey, Trey. What are you doing?” Darren says as he sets a beer down next to me.

His voice startles me, and I fumble to exit out of the app. I was so distracted I didn’t even realize he was here. “Uh. Nothing. Checking my stocks.” Or stalking someone’s ex-husband. Quickly, I tuck my phone into my pocket. “Thanks for the beer.” I lift the glass and take a giant gulp. I pull out gavel two point oh and smack it on the wood.

Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.

The plastic toy hammer draws everyone’s attention as I smack it against the wood. Everyone takes their seat with Tim and Darren on one side and Owen and Miles on the other.

“Tim, it’s so good you could join us.”

“Yeah. It was a hectic week.” He rubs the back of his neck.

“What happened?” Miles asks.

“Julie got a flat tire, so she wasn’t able to pick up Mallory and James from school, so I had to do it. Then school was canceled because of a water break and since I already had the kids, Julie told me to keep her for the night and that turned into the weekend.” He blows out an exasperated breath and his shoulders deflate.

“I admire that you can stay friends with your ex,” Owen says. “It never works out that way with mine.”

“I wouldn’t say friends. She’s still sleeping with her boss, but we stay cordial for the kids,” Tim adds.

“It always ends badly with my exes.” Darren swallows a gulp of his beer.

“Exes are exes for a reason,” Miles says.

“Good, now that we got all that out of the way.” I grip the edge of the table.

Miles’ eyes light up. “You guys will never guess what happened. I met a girl.”

“No way. Where did you meet her?” Owen asks.

“At the library. She was sorting books while I was searching for something new to read. I’ve seen her around a few times, but never worked up the courage to say anything to her. Then, out of the blue, she asked me if I needed any help. I panicked and pulled a random book off the shelf. I tell her I got it. Then she asked if I had a son. I glanced down at the book I was holding, and it’s titledSo Your Son is a Centaur.”

The entire table bursts out laughing, and I can’t help but join in because that’s pretty funny. This is the first time I’ve heard Miles talk so much. Usually, he’s the quiet guy who keeps to himself. Maybe he just needed to find himself a girl. I slam the plastic hammer down on the table and it squeaks. “Okay. Let’s move on. Darren last week you were telling us—”

“What happened after that?” Tim asks.

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