Page 19 of The Hookup
“You won’t,” Erin said, reassuring her. “But this is going to eat into your life, as if the bank doesn’t already own your soul.”
“Tell me about it,” Kay replied, sipping her cocktail and draining the glass. There was still no sign of Luke, and she was beginning to wonder if this was a waste of her time, being here, being hopeful.
“What’s his brother like?”
“Whose brother?” she asked, looking around the room once more. And there he was. Those tattooed arms were hard to miss, and he was dressed in his usual, black pants and a black t-shirt. She only caught his side profile, because he was talking to somebody—an older woman. The two of them walked over to a table in the far corner, behind Erin, and sat down.
“His brother?” Erin asked. “What was he like?”
“Whose brother?” She forced herself to look at Erin and not let her gaze wander over her shoulder. Luke was in her line of vision. Easy to see, and easy for her to become distracted.
“You’re not even listening to me,” Erin wailed. “Tobias Stone’s brother.”
“Oh, him. He’s nothing like Tobias Stone, that’s for sure.” Her gaze started to wander again, and if she wasn’t careful, Erin would figure out that the object of her fantasies was sitting only a few tables away. She liked the advantage of looking at him, without him seeing her, and decided to keep the news to herself. The last thing she wanted was Erin to have an orgasmic shriek if she pointed him out to her.
“And?”
She forced herself to shift her gaze from Luke and the woman, and back to Erin. “And…there’s nothing more to say. He’s not as nice as Tobias. In my opinion, he’s nothing but a womanizing douchebag.”
“Did you meet him?”
There was no way she was going to own up to making out with him. “It was an island, Erin. I couldn’t avoid running into him.”
She glanced at Luke again, and couldn’t help wondering about the woman he was with. Was she a friend, or a work colleague? And why was Luke sitting down at the table with her, with folders and a pen? Why wasn’t he behind the bar? He was also dressed differently to the others; not for him the standard white shirts and bowties.
Maybe he was the head bartender, if there was such a thing.
She vaguely recalled Erin saying something to her. “Really?” she replied, turning her full attention back to her friend.
Erin set down her cocktail glass. “Who are you eyeballing?” she asked, before turning around to look. She turned back to her. “Who?”
“Nobody. Sorry. I’m really worn out, it’s been a hard week. I’m just glad to be here, and not at work. I feel as if I spend more time there than at my own apartment.” Then, “What’s going on with you?” she asked, giving Erin her total attention. She listened on as her friend told her about the latest gossip in her department. Ordinarily, office gossip would have taken up her attention, but it was difficult to remain interested given the gorgeous hunk sitting several tables in front of her. Every so often, she would glance over at Luke, trying to decode his body language to see how friendly he was with the woman who sat beside him.
“Is that the time?” Erin gasped, looking surprised.
“Why? Are you rushing off?” Kay asked, incredulous. She had planned to spend the evening here. The last thing she needed was to be abandoned by her friend in a busy bar on a Friday night. How desperate would that look, especially since she would no longer have Erin’s as a shield to hide behind?
“I’m supposed to be catching a movie with my roommate.” Erin downed the rest of her cocktail in one and put her coat on.
“Ugh,” wailed Kay. “I was hoping we could catch up.”
“Not that you’re in the talking mood much,” her friend replied.
“Can’t you stay for one more drink?” With Erin gone, Luke would see her, and he would know how pathetic she was to have come here alone.
“Sorry. I was supposed to be at the theatre by 8. Shit, I’m late.” She grabbed her handbag. “Have a good weekend. See you on Monday.”
Feeling exceptionally exposed without the cover of her friend, Kay ordered a mocktail mojito, convincing herself that the absence of alcohol would help her stay resilient, should Luke come over and say hello. He looked to be deep in conversation with the woman, and given the evidence of the folder and pen, her hopes rose.
Maybe the woman was his boss? It didn’t look as if she was his anything, other than work-related. For starters, the woman wasn’t remotely fashionable, not with that plain-looking blouse, and dark hair that hung like limp lettuce from her head. And she appeared to be older than him.
The server delivered her virgin cocktail, and she sipped it slowly, becoming increasing conscious that she was alone, and the bar was getting noisier and busier with time. She sat back stretching her legs out under the table, her back sinking into the soft leather of the sofas, and tried to divert her attention away from Luke, and instead looked around the bar.
It was different here; understated gorgeousness, and a breath of fresh air from the usual contemporary looking bars that she was accustomed to. No slick mirrors or polished glass surface, and no shiny tiles. This place provided an exotic experience, with its snug sofas and lampshades. With the cushions and the heaters, it didn’t feel as if it was Fall.
Then, she saw Luke’s companion getting up. She got her things together and headed for the exit. Luke slowly got to his feet, and checked his cell phone while still standing at the table. Kay watched him, hoping he would sense that he was being watched and look up at her. Instead he glanced at his wristwatch then shoved his hand back into his trouser pocket and continued looking at his phone.
She sat up straight, lifting her body so that she was taller in her seat, but even though she was only a few tables away, he still didn’t see her.
