Page 21 of Same Difference
“I don’t think he meant to interrupt your day,” Nory said.
“I don’t think so either.” She felt empty and hugged her little bouquet closer to her chest.
“Shot?” Nory asked.
“W-what?” Delta asked, trying to shake her swirling thoughts from her mind.
Nory pushed her into an open door, and they stomped their snow crusted boots off at the welcome mat and then made their way into the small bar.
“We have forty-five minutes before we need to start walking to the salon. Let’s banish that moment from your mind, shall we?”
“I don’t know if I want to banish it,” she said softly as she set her wares onto a chair by the big front window.
She looked up and from here, she could still see him. Bridger looked so serious as he was talking to Nate, and Nate’s muscular back looked tense. “He saw that guy talking to me,” she told Nory as she sat down. “I would bet money on it.”
“You know what that’s called?” Nory asked.
Delta shook her head.
“Instant Karma. That man tried to throw you away yesterday, and then had to watch another man be interested in you? A hot man who buys flowers for his daughter and drives a fancy car. Karma worked fast for you, girl.”
“I don’t want to hurt him,” she said. “I don’t really know how to do this.” She glanced back out the window, and Nate was on his phone now.
“Hey,” Nory said, leaning over the table. She grabbed her hands and beseeched her with her eyes. “Everything happens for a reason.”
“What possible reason could any of this be for?”
Nory gave her a sympathetic half-smile. “I don’t know yet. Maybe he needed to see you being capable of moving on. Maybe it’ll move him on faster too.”
“He was moved on from day one,” she muttered. God, why couldn’t she stop looking at him through the window. “I don’t even know why he signed the stupid Arrangement contract.”
Nory shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know if he even knows. I think he has a lot to work through before he is good for anyone.”
Delta looked up at the bartender, but she was busy making drinks. For whom? She hadn’t a guess. She and Nory were the only ones in here drinking at twelve-thirty on a Wednesday.
She’d never seen him wear a beanie before. His eyes looked even brighter against that color. Never in her life would she forget the way he’d looked at her, and the way his eyes had softened with sadness, or perhaps acceptance. She would never forget his wave to her. Back to being strangers.
“Here you two go,” the bartender said, pulling two drinks off of a tray in her hand.
“What are these?” Delta asked, confused.
“Compliments of some guy named Bridger. He ordered you fried pickle spears too and is paying for whatever else you want. These drinks are called peach perfections. They’re the special today. They’re doubles this round. I’ll have those pickle spears out in a few minutes.”
“Okay,” Delta murmured, stunned.
Why would Bridger…
But as she looked back out at the boys, it hit her. Nate had been the one on the phone.
He’d called here and ordered her favorite appetizer. He must’ve peeked at the menu when he saw them duck into here. He’d called this bar. He’d put in an order. He’d paid attention to all the peach teas she’d ordered. Peach was her favorite flavor.
He turned his profile and stared at the empty parking space beside him with a slight frown on his handsome face.
“What is his game?” Delta asked quietly.
“I don’t know but I likethisgame,” Nory said as she sniffed her double shot of peach perfection. “I hope he plays it more. Let’s text him the number of the hair salon next. I’m getting highlights.”
An unexpected laugh escaped Delta. She lifted the glass and said, “To boys who don’t know what they want.”
