Page 23 of Tinsel & Tools
“Fine,” I relented. “He’s attractive. No one would argue with that.”
“He’s hot as hell,” she corrected. “But not quite as hot as Ryan.”
“Whatever.” I shook my head. “Don’t forget we saw Cole out with a woman, so my admitting anything doesn’t really matter. It was just nice having some eye candy while I worked my ass off.”
She rolled her eyes. “And now you can spend the night staring at your eye candy while I get my flirt on with Ryan.”
“Unless he brings his coffee date to the bar,” I muttered under my breath.
“Stop being a downer and go get ready.”
I did as she said because even if I wasn’t going to get lucky, I would always be her wingman.
We walked into the bar at a quarter after seven. The place looked like it hadn’t been updated in the last two decades and smelled like cheap beer, but there was a decent crowd scattered around. Apparently, karaoke night was a big deal in Brookhaven.
“They’re over there.” Allie nudged my side and pointed at a table against the back wall.
My gaze landed on Cole, and I paused mid-step. He may have looked good in flannel, but he looked even better with a dark gray Henley clinging to him in all the right places. Other than Ryan sitting across from him, he was alone. Unfortunately, judging by the way half the women in the bar were sneaking glances, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“You’re staring again.” She snickered.
I didn’t bother denying it and forced myself to move in their direction.
“Hey, you guys made it,” Ryan said. “I was worried you city folks got lost on your way over.”
“Nah,” Allie replied as we sat. “Gavin just takes forever when he’s trying to look good.”
I kicked her shin under the table. “Pretty sure I was waiting on you while you tried on every outfit in your suitcase.”
Ryan smiled at her, seemingly unbothered by our playful back and forth. “It was worth the wait. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Sure, but I don’t know what I want yet. I’ll go with you to the bar.” She glanced at me. “Want me to get you something while I’m up there?”
I nodded. “I’ll take a martini.”
Allie and Ryan walked away, and when I turned to Cole, he was grinning.
“What?” I leaned back in my chair, trying to act unaffected by having his full attention on me.
“I doubt that martini is going to taste anything like what you’re used to in New York. This isn’t exactly a top-shelf kind of place.”
I smirked. “Guess I’ll find out.”
He chuckled. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The KJ’s voice rang out over the sound system after a country song I wasn’t familiar with ended. “Next up on stage is Holly with a little Shania Twain. There’s still plenty of open spots on the sign-up sheet for the rest of you, so don’t be shy.”
Allie and Ryan returned just in time for Holly’s enthusiastic, albeit off-key, rendition of “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.”
Allie placed a drink in front of me, and I eyed the single tiny olive suspiciously. “That’s a martini?”
Cole let out a husky laugh. “I’m surprised they even had any garnish for your fancy drink.”
“Cheers to small-town cocktails.” I held up my drink and then took a sip. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated.
“How is it?” Cole asked.
“I’ve had worse.”
