Page 81 of Lucky Shot
“What’s your usual order?” I ask Nick.
“Corona.”
I wrinkle up my nose.
“Get whatever you want, Red.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know what I want.”
He thinks for a second. “Anything you don’t like?”
The bartender is getting antsy in front of us. I flash her an apologetic smile.
“Scotch. Red wine. Beer. Ooh, no tequila.” I shiver at the memory of the last time I had it. It was post-Matt. Olivia invited me out with her and Flynn and a bunch of his teammates. The night got blurry after the third round of tequila shots.
Nick nods, patient and warm, not at all bothered by holding up the line. “How do you feel about rum?”
I shrug. “I’m not sure.”
He finally looks to the bartender. “Can we get a cable car and a mai tai?”
She bobs her head once and gets to work. I turn to face Nick, putting my back to the bar. His gaze drops to my lips and then slowly roams over my face. I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s as attracted to me as I am him, but I’m not confident enough to make the first move. I’m not even sure if I want to make a move. Okay, that’s a lie. I do, but I’m a smidge worried it’ll make things awkward for the rest of the summer.
“What’s in a cable car?” I ask him.
“Rum.”
“I figured that,” I say with all the sass I’m feeling.
He grins, unphased.
“Thanks for inviting me out tonight.”
“Don’t thank me yet. The guys are playing it cool but they’re about to bombard you. Travis is probably planning out how to get you to go home with him.”
A laugh slips from my lips. “He’s not really my type.”
“Really?” Nick cocks a brow.
“That surprises you?”
“Pretty much everyone has said the opposite since you arrived.”
“Who?” The idea of anyone talking about me…let alone me and Travis together boggles my mind.
“Trav for one.”
“I should have guessed.” Another laugh bubbles up in my chest and spills out.
Nick leans forward until his chest brushes mine. He reaches past me and then holds out a drink to me. It’s a yellowish orange color in a coupe glass with what smells like sugar and maybe cinnamon around the rim.
He watches as I bring it to my lips and take a sip.
“Ooh.” The taste surprises me. “I was expecting it to be sweet.”
“Little sweet. Little sour.”
I take another sip. “It’s good.”
