Page 18 of Mr. Infuriating

I shook my head. “I’m not ready to date, yet.”

“Who said anything about dating? You just need to get laid.”

I felt my brows rise when I turned to my friend to find her finishing her drink with a smirk on her face.

“How many of those have you had?”

“Just two.”

“Well,” Derrick interjected. “I have three brothers, but one is married. Either of the other two would be happy to show you a good time, if that’s what you’re looking for.”

His face broke into a wide grin as he looked past us toward the door.

“In fact, here comes one of them now.”

Maybe it was the effects of the alcohol on my empty stomach, but when I turned to see who he was looking at, I felt my breath hitch in my chest.

Walking toward us was the best-looking man I’d seen in a long time. And considering Derrick had been keeping us company for the past thirty minutes, that was saying something.

The grey at his temples suggested he was Derrick’solderbrother, and although his hair was darker than Derrick’s, I could see the resemblance. They definitely shared the same swagger. But instead of the black, nonslip shoes that Derrick had on behind the bar, this guy was wearing tan work boots and tan Carhartt pants, and his broad chest nicely filled out the maroon Henley he was wearing. He looked like he’d just come from working all day with his hands. I could picture a tool belt slung low on his waist.

Damn.

Was there anything sexier than a man who worked with his hands?

As I watched him come closer, I concluded,no, no there was not.

He must have thought I was a crazy lady when he caught me staring at him, because he stopped short, as if trying to determine if it was safe to proceed to the bar where his brother was.

I offered a small smile to hopefully convey I was harmless, and he cocked his head, like he was still unsure, then finally continued toward us.

“Hey!” Derrick said with a big grin. “Good to see you! How was Brayden’s game?”

His brother glanced in my and Laura’s direction before answering, “Great. They won. He scored the winning goal.”

“That’s awesome! First round’s on me.”

The way his brother laughed out loud made me wonder if that was an inside joke.

“Thanks, man.”

Even though the barstool next to me was vacant, he didn’t sit down, instead, he looked over at me like I might try to kiss him unsolicited or something if he sat by me.

I mean, the idea had merit, but still… I would never do such a thing.

“You can sit down,” I said with a grin. “I don’t bite. I promise.”

“Unless you want her to,” Laura chimed in.

The corner of his mouth hitched and the lines around his blue eyes crinkled as he sat down. “Good to know.”

“I’m Gretchen,” I said as I offered my hand. “This is my friend, Laura.”

He nodded at my friend with a smile then took my hand in his calloused one. “Gabriel.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Gabriel.”

His eyes twinkled like he had a secret as he studied my face for a beat before it seemed like his whole body relaxed, and he replied, “The pleasure is all mine, Gretchen.”

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