Page 7 of Hard To Leave

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jack.”

Her friend held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

Nodding my head, I turned my gaze back to Chloe. “So is this where I can find you on your nights off?”

The Tiki bar was a local hangout down by the pier. It was the place to be on a Friday night, and judging by the crowd, it looked like most of the town was already here.

I snuck a glance out to the back patio, where my date was currently swaying to the lyrics of the Jimmy Buffett song playing through the speakers. Caden sat along the high-top table doing his best to entertain both girls in my absence. I owed him.

Chloe laughed, throwing her long, wavy hair over her slender shoulder. “Going out is a rare occasion for me, believe it or not. I’m usually a homebody.”

I dropped that player grin that I was told the women loved. “What’s the special occasion?” For some reason, I was glad when she told me that she didn’t normally go out to bars. I liked the idea of her at home away from wandering eyes.

“It’s Chloe’s birthday,” her friend said, and I detected a slightly drunken slur.

My eyes landed on her half-empty margarita as I pulled my wallet out. “Well then, this next round of drinks are on me.” I was totally taking advantage of the situation.

Chloe seemed relaxed tonight, which was such a contradiction to how she seemed the other day.

“I might just let you do that. Buy my drink, I mean.” I blinked at her, wondering how many margaritas she’d had? “I usually don’t let strange men buy me drinks, but you’re no stranger. You’re the cute guy from the diner who has—um, I mean…leaves big tips.”

Well damn. Was she flirting with me?

My hand flew up, and I ordered her and her friend another round. “So what number are we celebrating?”

She tsked me, and it was absolutely adorable. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s not polite to ask a woman her age?” Oh yeah, she was definitely flirting and maybe a little tipsy. I liked tipsy Chloe.

My arms folded across my chest, causing my muscles to pop out. “Don’t you think that’s something your future husband should know? I mean, we will have to list it on our marriage license.”

Her friend snorted behind her while Chloe placed her hand on her hip, trying to fight the smile that was playing on her lips. “Well, if you plan on marrying me, you should at least let me know your last name so I can make sure it doesn’t rhyme with mine. Because if it does, that’s a deal breaker. I wouldn’t want to go through life being called Chloe Bowie.”

I liked this Chloe. She was fun. “It doesn’t rhyme, but I can change it to whatever you want it to be.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Okay,” I said, laughing. “My last name is Jenson. So, that eliminates that mystery. Is there anything else you want to know?”

She looked up to the ceiling, playing with my last name. “Chloe Jenson; I don’t know.” She said it out loud a couple different ways, appearing to try it out for size. “I’ll have to think about that.”

“I could always change it to yours. Which is?”

She laughed, bringing her hand to her lips, causing my gaze to land there. They were the same color as her top. I would have sold my left nut to be that hand. I wanted nothing more than to bring those lips to mine.

She nodded her head. “Nice try. Thought you could get me to spill the beans, huh?”

“It’s Chambers,” her friend added excitedly from behind her, encouraging the game to continue. I suddenly liked her friend. It was always good to know you had someone in your corner.

Chloe turned around, giving her friend the death stare. Carly held her hands up in surrender. “Oh, come on, he’s so cute, and he’s buying our drinks. Let’s be nice and have some fun. You remember what that is, right?” she said before she threw the rest of her drink back. Like I said, I really liked her friend.

I offered her a slow grin. “Maybe you should give me your number, seeing that’s something a future husband should know too.”

She shook her head, smiling as the bartender placed her fresh margarita in front of her. She brought it to her lips and licked a bit of salt off the rim, causing my dick to stir. Just as she was about to respond, I felt a hand clasp my shoulder and kill the mood.

“Hey, pal,” Caden said, interrupting the progress I was making. He had the worst fucking timing in the world. “I thought maybe you got lost. I was about to start a search party for you.”

“I’m just going to be a few more minutes.” I sent him a pleading look and prayed he wouldn’t kill my chance with her.

He cleared his throat and tilted his head to our table. Both Olivia and Mila were staring at me and not looking too happy. Caden leaned into my ear. “Don’t fucking cockblock me tonight. I’m going to be on the road for the next two weeks. I need this pussy tonight.”

I closed my eyes, suddenly hating my cousin. “I’m sorry. I’m here with some friends, and I should get back to my table.” Okay, it was a lie, so sue me. There was no way I was telling her I was here on a date with someone else.

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