Page 47 of Stick to the Plan
No hurry - I’m chatting with Asher and drive thru is 24 hours, baby
My heart thumps at the endearment. He probably meant it funny, but it turns my insides liquid all the same.
Anna pushes off her stool and heads for the door. “Come on, let’s head down before your hormones light my stool on fire.”
I chuckle and follow her out. “We’ll come grab my car tomorrow.”
Anna shrugs as she shuts and locks her apartment door behind us. “No rush. Come for dinner and grab it then. I have a new recipe I want to try.”
We head down the back stairs and through the kitchen of Pop. A chorus of “hello, chef” follows Anna. She nods to each person in return. As we exit the swinging doors, I see Colin, and my chest flutters as his grin spreads.
“There’s my girl!” Colin reaches an arm out to me and I let him tuck me by his side.
I can’t help but grin as he kisses my forehead. We’ve kept clear boundaries outside of the house - even at Pop. This is the most PDA I’ve experienced, but I’m too tipsy to care. A warm feeling of safety and contentment washes over me. I’m not ready to let that feeling go.
We say our goodbyes, and Colin leads me to his rental car. Once in the car, he checks my seatbelt and drops a surprise kiss on my lips. True to his word, he takes me through the nearest drive-thru and I giggle as I dig into a packet of nuggets and fries.
Once home and settled into my king sized bed, I curl against his side, seeking his warmth. Colin wraps his arm around me and absently strokes my back with one hand as he holds his tablet in the other to read. I drift off with a smile on my face and my fingers resting over his heart, the steady beat comforting me.
Chapter thirty-two
Ladies' Night
Rachel
My finger trails around the stem of my martini glass as I watch the bartender through my lashes. When his attention turns towards me, I let a sensual smile spread across my scarlet lips and lean forward slightly, squeezing my arms to better frame my cleavage. The man next to me drones on, and I spare him a glance.
His suit is expensive, as is his watch, and the Tesla fob he casually swings on his finger. Not bad looking, late thirties, maybe, with one of those dad-bods and the early signs of thinning hair. The faded line on his left hand tells me he’s probably married. I don’t care, as long as he keeps paying for my drinks.
It’s Ladies’ Night at Pop, and I haven’t paid for a single drink all night. Normally, I stick to the higher end lounges. It’s a better hunting ground for rich men. The other assistants won’t shut up about this place though, so why the hell not give it a try? The drinks are definitelyyummy.
As is the hunky bartender. I watch as he makes his way across the bar, back towards the kitchen doors. He props his palms on the surface as he leans towards a customer, his biceps and pecs pop under his tight t-shirt.
Yum.
For the next hour, I compete for the bartender’s attention. If I can’t land a potential sugar daddy tonight, might as well go home with the hottest man in the bar. Eventually Mr. Dad-bod leaves and another man takes his place. My martini never runs dry, but the bartender never stays long.
My new suitor is closer to my age, handsome in that all-American jock kind of way. Nice dress shirt and jeans, fancy watch and haircut. He works at his daddy’s company and his whole demeanor screams ‘trust fund baby.’
The bartender looks towards the door. A slow grin spreads across his face and he walks towards the server station, wiping his hands on a rag. “Hey, man.” He reaches out and shakes the hand of a man I can’t quite see through the crowd.
“Asher, how’s it going?” the newcomer says. His voice is familiar, so I continue watching the scene. The man leans forward into one of those weird one-armed man hugs through the opening.
Holy shit, it’s Colin McLeary. What is he doing here? How is he on a first name basis with the hot bartender?
Fuck, are they both gay?
I lose the trail of their conversation over the noise of the crowd. Enough with this. I’ll just walk over and talk to Colin directly. I take a few steps closer, tugging my neckline further down. The kitchen doors open beside him and two women walk out - a taller blond and a shorter brunette.
“There’s my girl.” Colin smiles and wraps his arm around the brunette, tucking her close to his side and kissing her forehead. She turns to speak to Asher, giving me a clear view of her profile.
Brianna!?
Darting back to my seat before they see me, I stare daggers at them. Drinking in every detail I can from this distance. Brianna hugs the blond girl, then waves at Asher as Colin escorts her to the exit. My vision tinges red as I notice his hand resting on her ass.
He’s ignored me for months, but the Ice Queen has him wrapped around her finger? We’ll just see about that. I’ll burn her to the ground.
Chapter thirty-three
