Page 25 of Comeback
Tripp smiles like he knew I was bluffing all along. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You’re coming with us, Little Six.”
Going out with Tripp does sound fun. He’s a lot like Brogan in that he always seems to find a good time or make one, but I sneak another glance at Archer. I can’t read a thing about his expression. Would it kill him to smile?
There’s a very real chance he’s going to ignore me all night and I’ll be the third wheel at the bar, but at least I’ll get a mini celebration out of it. And worst case I’ll have one drink and walk home. Archer Holland doesn’t get to ruin this day for me.
I look straight at him, heart fluttering excitedly as I smile back at him. “Okay. I’m in.”
I did not stop after one drink.
I’m on drink number…a lot.
Archer is at the bar talking to some woman. A very pretty blonde with curves that have every guy in this place looking her way. Women too, including me. Though my attention is more on the man next to her and how happy he looks. He’s actually smiling. I didn’t know his mouth could open so wide.
“Here we go,” Tripp says, setting another round of drinks down in front of us.
My stomach lurches at the sight of the shot glasses he sets down next. The man can drink.
He picks up one and holds it in the air. “To the studio!”
“Shh!” I say, probably louder than he had. I swivel around to look at Archer.
“Relax. He’s not paying any attention to us.”
I nod and pick up my shot. I really should stop, but Tripp has been such a trooper in helping me celebrate. I let it slip after drink number two. Around the same time that Archer started talking to the hottie at the bar.
We clink our glasses together and then throw back the cinnamon-flavored liquor.
“Either I’m drunk or it’s starting to grow on me.”
Tripp grins and rests his elbows on the high-top table. The bar is busy for their opening weekend. The place has a cool vibe. It’s small enough to feel intimate but big enough to pack quite a few people in. The bar runs along one side and there are tables surrounding it in an L-shape. There aren’t dart boards orbilliards or any of that, so people are limited to sitting around and talking or watching the single TV above the bar.
“You know, he’s not such a bad guy when you get to know him.”
“Who?” I ask, tearing my gaze away from the guy I’m highly certain he was just referring to. I don’t know what it is about his stupid, hot face.
Tripp doesn’t call me out on staring at Archer across the bar; he just laughs. “Actually, I lied. He’s a great guy when you get to know him. But something tells me you already know that.”
“Can he be a great guy and also have such terrible taste? Hating me, I mean.” I pick up my beer and take a long drink.
“He doesn’t hate you.”
“Well, he doesn’t like me very much.”
“That’s not true. He’s just projecting his fears onto you. The two of you just need to spend more time together.”
I open my mouth to object more, but Tripp stands tall and waves his hands above his head until Archer glances our way. Tripp motions him over and I watch in panic as Archer says something to the woman at the bar and then heads our way.
“I think I’ll go get another drink from the bar,” I say and take a step in that direction.
Tripp reaches out with a hand around my forearm and pulls me back just as Archer arrives at the table.
“You stay,” he tells me. “I’ll get us drinks.” He looks at Archer. “Another Blue Moon?”
But Tripp is already walking away.
“I was literally just there,” Archer says and brings the bottle to his mouth.
His throat works with a swallow and his hazel eyes snap to me, catching me staring at him. I glance away quickly and take another drink of my own beer.
