Page 2 of Beneath the Scars
She giggles. “Yep. It’s wonderful.”
Before I can respond, a man’s voice can be heard through the speaker. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
“Adalaide. Do not drink that. You have no idea what could be in it.”
“Pshhhh. It’s fine. I watched the bartender make it.”
“You’re drunk. You’re not perceptive enough to know if he put something in it.”
“You’re an asshole. A big, sexy, handsome asshole.” She sighs.
Fuck.I run my hand through my dark hair. “Where are you, Adalaide?”
“At a bar.”
“What bar and where?”
“Umm…I don’t remember. Somewhere in Greensboro. Hey, you…”
“Hey, beautiful,” a guy says.
I growl.
“Ooooh. That was hot. Do it again.” Adalaide’s tone is indecent.
“Uh, hey, beautiful?”
“Not you. Michael, make that sound again.”
I sigh and rub my hand across my face. This is going nowhere fast. “Adalaide. Tell me what bar you’re at.”
“Oh! Right. Um, what’s the name of this bar?” she asks the guy.
“I’ll tell you if you tell me your name, gorgeous.”
“Ew. No, thank you.” There’s a pause, and then, “Hey, what bar is this?”
“The Salty Dragon,” a woman says.
“Really? What an awful name.”
“I know, right? Good drinks though. And hot bartenders.”
“So. True.”
I growl again, and I will never admit to doing it on purpose just to get Addie’s attention. “I’m on my way. No more talking to other guys. Stay with whoever you’re with right now. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Fuck. I know she’s teasing me, but the way that word rolls off her tongue sends a shiver down my spine.
I hang up with Addie and send a text to Ryan to let him know I’m leaving. Running out to my truck, I say a quick thank you to my past self for parking on the street to keep from getting blocked in. Then I’m on the highway, headed to Greensboro to find the one woman who has always been the exception to every rule I’ve ever made for myself.
The Salty Dragonlooks exactly like every other bar I’ve been to—a wooden bar top, tables scattered around the edge of the dance floor, and some pool tables on the other side of the room. I search for the dark brown curls that have haunted my dreams since I was a teenager.
I find her standing at a high-top table, surroundedby guys and only one other woman. I push my way through the crowd, not giving a single fuck about being polite.
“Adalaide.” I cross my arms over my chest to keep from hauling her over my shoulder like a caveman.
