Page 67 of The Sexy Part
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I practically float on the short walk around the corner to Happy Endings mostly because we indulged in an excellent sauvignon blanc while Harper bitched about how annoying Nathan is and how he’s death to every party. For me, everything feels right with the world. I’m not worried about the future. I’m not thinking about the past. I’m just enjoying the moment.
We step inside Happy Endings to find a spookily decorated bar and restaurant with cobwebs in the corners and scary zombies hanging from the ceiling. A DJ blasts “Monster Mash.”
There’s a crowd of costumed people, making it even harder to find a familiar face. I feel someone staring and turn, meeting Cooper’s eyes, where he’s working behind the bar. I push my sunglasses to the top of my head. He’s wearing a boxer’s red silk robe, and the belt is loosened enough to expose his gorgeous chest. Desire shoots through me.
He winks and turns to a customer, who just happens to be a sexy bunny. She leans across the bar to show her cleavage.
That’s it?He didn’t gesture for me to join him. I cross my arms, miffed.
Chill. He’s not going to give you his full attention when he’s working.And there’s no shortage of women flirting with the gorgeous bartender. I can’t possibly be jealous because that would imply a relationship when we specifically agreed to be friends with benefits. He kicked me out after sex. That tells me all I need to know about where he stands.
“Who’s the guy wearing a grass skirt with the tribal tattoo on his arm?” Harper asks. The guy has his back to us. “He’s someone I’d like to fu—no!”
A striking man with dark hair, a stubbled square jaw, and muscles galore turns to face us. He’s wearing a grass skirt and sandals. That’s it. Mackenzie smiles and waves. She takes a step forward when Harper yanks her back.
“No,” Harper says. “Let’s check out the back room.”
Mackenzie pulls her arm free. “You’re being ridiculous. It’s not like you’re never going to see Nathan again. He works with me, and he goes to half our family events too.”
Wow. Nathan looks like a model. And he sent flowers.
I turn to Harper. “What’s so bad about Nathan?”
“Yeah, what’s so bad about Nathan?” a deep baritone voice asks as he joins us. Up close his eyes are a brilliant blue. He says a quick hello to me and Mackenzie before turning to Harper in question.
She flutters a hand in the air and drops it.
Mackenzie stares at her and turns to Nathan. “I think your flowers made her speechless.”
“I need a drink.” Harper turns to go.
“Me too,” Nathan says.
Harper stops and turns back. “I know what flowers mean.”
“What do they mean?” Nathan asks gamely.
Mackenzie sneaks a picture of them. They don’t notice, too busy staring into each other’s eyes. There’s definitely something between them. The attraction is palpable, as is the animosity, though I think it’s only coming from Harper.
She lifts her chin. “Hope you know this isn’t happening. I’m with someone. Oliver is everything to me.”
Nathan frowns. “Oliver. That’s the first I’ve heard of him.”
“Guess word hasn’t gotten out yet.”
“Look, I just wanted to make peace for whatever I did that made you mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
He cocks his head. “Then why do I feel like you see me as death to the party whenever we cross paths?”
I stifle a laugh. That’s exactly what Harper called him.
