Page 99 of Bling

When it was their turn, the stranger ordered their drinks with practiced ease.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile as she watched him tuck a wad of cash into the tip jar. “I like a generous tipper.”

“Wait a lot of tables in college?”

She nodded. “Worked a bar for a bit too.”

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she sipped her martini and scanned the room for Garrett. It wasn’t hard to spot him. Even with his back to her, he stood out as he spoke to a group of men. His broad shoulders were straight, and he stood with confidence.

“I should get back to my table,” she murmured to the stranger.

“Allow me to escort you while I look for my own table.”

He placed his hand at the small of her back and Isabelle started walking in the direction of her table, uncomfortable with his touch. He got the hint when she sped up and finally dropped his hand as they approached.

“This is me,” they said at the same time.Just great, Isabelle thought. The man was sitting at their table.

“Seems I get the pleasure of your company for a while longer. I won’t pretend to be disappointed,” he said with a wink as he pulled a chair out across from hers and sat.

A few minutes later, she felt Garrett behind her and reveled in the feel of his hand on her shoulder. She tilted her head to smile up at him, but the smile quickly faded when she saw the steely glint in his eyes as he stared at their table companion.

“Isabelle, I see you’ve had the misfortune of meeting my brother.”

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