Kat chats with the woman beside her about how long she’s been waiting, while I contemplate what to do.
I glance at him again, watching the sports news and patiently waiting.
Screw it.
I tap Kat’s arm. “Hey, I’ll be back.”
She nods, continuing her conversation.
I make my way down the bar, dodging people, and slide into the five-inch space beside him. “Funny seeing you here.”
He peers down, his brow furrowing a little as his eyes trace over me.
I tip my head in the direction of the other end of the bar. “Office birthday slash Christmas party.”
A person elbows me from behind, and Slade shifts, allowing me to inch closer to give them room to carry their drinks away.
“I saw the guys. They said you have a friend in town?”
He nods. His eyes haven’t left me, and it’s beginning to feel awkward. My skin warms, needing him to say something.
Maybe this was a terrible idea. I left the sash and crown on his desk. What if he Googled and made up his mind about me like everyone else did?
Someone brushes up against my back, and I twist to face Junior’s cocky smile. He looks like the Cheshire Cat who just trapped his prey.
“I’ve been waiting weeks for this opportunity.” His eyes linger over my body. “Damn.”
I could be home in leggings, my comfiest sweatshirt, and braless, not worrying about what’s happening underneath Slade’s silence or having to deal with Junior’s smugass one more time.
“Looks like it’s my lucky night.” He tips his head toward the bar, his grin spreading wider. “I get to buy you a drink.”
“No.” I squeeze back, creating room between us and bumping into Slade.
“Aw. Come on. It’s one drink. I’ll let you buy every one after to prove you’re an independent woman.”
If I were a dog, I’d pee on his expensive shoes. Maybe I could settle for regurgitating my lunch. “I’d rather drink toilet water.”
His amused eyes run over my face. “You know—”
“She said no.” It’s that sharp, low bark.
I feel Slade’s presence expand behind me.
Junior’s eyes flick to him but return to me completely unfazed. “I don’t think this one has any trouble speaking for herself.”
Slade’s hard chest presses against my shoulder. “She already did. You have trouble listening.”
Junior straightens, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You know him?” He lifts his chin at Slade.
I turn just enough to glance up at him. That intimidating glare dares Junior to say the wrong thing. I like the protective feel of his massive posture way too much.
I might’ve totally screwed up this relationship already, so I throw caution to the wind.
“Actually, I was hitting on him.”
Junior’s unimpressed gaze moves to Slade. “You’re hitting onhim?”
“Yep. We independent women aren’t afraid to ask a guy to buy us a drink. We’re not really into men who just assume they have a shot.” I smile at Slade. “Besides, I like a man who knows how to hold a baby and isn’t afraid of bodily fluids.”
