“Who’s Viv?”
When we get to the bar, I rest my arms on the top, turning to give Caleb my biggest shit-eating grin. It takes a moment, his body facing me as he leans an elbow on the bar top, tilting his head in confusion before it finally clicks in place.
“You…you named your vibratorVivienne?!”His face lights up with mirth, standing straighter his eyes bounce between mine, looking for confirmation, but all I can get out is a chuckle and a somewhat innocent lift of my shoulders.
“Wait…” He starts proper chuckling, which is making me nervous. “Hang on…you, oh my god,” he ends on a whisper, his hand covering his mouth. His face looks like he just discovered the greatest secret of all time.
“Relax. It’s just a vibrator. Everyone names their vibrator.” I wave him off, looking toward the bartender to flag his attention.
“Yeah, but…it’s not every day that you find a girl who names her vibrator…you know what, never mind.” He shakes his head, still chuckling to himself. I turn to face him fully, narrowing my eyes and trying to work out what the hell he isn’t telling me.
“What can I get you?”Saved by the bartender, Mr. Smith.
I rattle off our order and he disappears to make them.
“C’mon, seriously. Play with me?”
“Honestly, could you not find any better way to phrase that question?” I look up at him and he smiles prettily back at me. Sure, it’s kind of weird that the wordprettyand a guy go together, but it justdoesfor Caleb. I couldn’t shake the guy, he’slike a hound stuck on a scent, but at least he’s super pretty to look at. His dusty-blond hair that’s perfectly styled, his always-perfectly-pressed suit, his deep blue eyes, so blue they could almost be purple, and wide smile that always…alwaysmakes the corners of my lips lift, even if just a fraction. Like the joy he exudes is contagious.
“I’m bored. All of our friends are coupled up.”
“I’m not sleeping with you again,” I remind him, for the millionth time.
“While I counter that there would be less sleeping, more fucking…you’ve made the absence of any future hanky-panky perfectly clear.” He rolls his eyes at me, slumping back into the bar. I take a moment to analyze him.
“So, what do you get out of us playing a game?” He just smiles wider.
“Entertainment. Maybe we could change it in a way we both win. Oh, I know.” He stands up straighter, his eyebrows almost hitting his hairline as his excitement explodes. I wish I could be exasperated by him. I’d even take annoyed or frustrated. But instead, I feel an energy pulse through my veins and I find myself fighting a smile to match his energy.
“How about we use our game to help pick up. You know, like wingman-woman each other. A quid pro quo, if you will.”Hmm, interesting…
I sit on the offer, my eyes not able to leave his lit-up smile and sparkling eyes. But before I can question further, the bartender places our drinks down and interrupts, “Here you go.” When I toss over my card, he shakes his head. “Taken care of.”
“What?” The bartender gestures to the opposite end of the bar, and I move my attention to follow the direction.
Caleb whistles from next to me. “Man is confident. He just bought a fleet of drinks for a woman at a bar who is standing next to a guy.” He says it low, just for me, and I feel his body heatas he steps closer. “I could be your husband for all he knows.” That statement makes me laugh.
“Relax, he’s just trying to boost his own ego.” I eye the man across the bar and I pin him in seconds. “Divorced, mid-forties, works in a bank…I’d say mid-level management.”
Caleb snickers, but I throw an unimpressed look at Mr. Fat Wallet before turning my back on him. I wasn’t interested, unfortunately, just a little too old for my tastes.
“And you know that how?” Caleb queries with an undertone of speculation. I give him a bored look in response and we each share the responsibilities of grabbing the drinks and heading for the table.
“He’s by himself for a start, there was a tan line on his left ring finger—I guess widowed is an option—but considering the amount of arrogance coming from him, my bets on divorced. He had age lines on his face, but some were also caused by stress. The fact he is here at this time makes me think he isn’t so important that he can cut out before the sun goes down.” I flick my eyes up to Caleb, who tilts his head and smiles at me like he’s impressed. My spine sits a little straighter as we make it back to the table.
“So, what about me?” he queries, and I settle into my chair, the rest of the table taking their extra drinks but continuing with their current conversations.
“What about you?”
“Well, you pinned him in under a second. What did you think of me when you first saw me?” He brings his whiskey to his lips and drinks as he settles in, facing me and leaning his head on his palm.
“Womanizer, salesman…” I narrow my eyes and tap my chin. He smiles playfully, shaking his head because he knows I’m right. “Momma’s boy,” I finish, pleased with myself.
Well, that is until I watch as his face slowly drops. It’s only a split-second reaction but I catch it before he adverts his attention to Noah across the table, taking a measured sip. After a tense moment, his smile is back, although it’s significantly more tense as he looks at me. “Nailed me, didn’t you? Guess that’s all there is to know?”
“Wha—” Before I have a chance to finish the question and find out what just changed, he flashes me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, then spins in his chair, directing his attention to Lucas and Ethan.
Uh, okay then.Maybe I read that wrong? Not a momma’s boy…maybe it’s mommyissues?
