Theo nods, sipping on his beer this time. “Yeah, I called him while you were chasing that waitress.”
“For fuck sake,” I groan and run a hand down my face. “I wasn’t chasing shit. I was asking for another round.”
And it’s the truth. I’ve struggled to get even remotely interested in another woman since Raven, and it’s only gotten worse after the weekend at Drew’s. I look at women and catch myself comparing themto her—their hair isn’t the right shade of red, they don’t have the right amount of curves that Raven has. It’s fucking with my head.
I’ve tried distancing myself from her, putting that firm line between us, but my mind still wanders to her, usually when I’m lying in bed at night. I need to get us back on an even footing, one where I don’t think of her as anything other than a friend.
“You got that promotion yet, Theo?” I ask, needing to get my mind off of Raven. I know he’s up for one, they just haven’t said when.
“Nope. Fuckers are still keeping me hanging,” he sighs, dropping his head onto the table. “At this rate, I’m either gonna have to find somewhere else to go or start my own practice.”
“Why don’t you?”
Theo lifts his head, confusion clear on his face. “Why don’t I what?”
“Start up your own firm.”
Noah leans forward in his seat, chiming, “Yeah, dude. You’re the best they’ve got. You’re likeHarvey Specteron steroids.”
“What a man,” Theo says wistfully, leaning his head on his hand and staring off. He snaps himself out of it, sitting bolt upright as he adds, “But no, too much pressure. I can barely keep a plant alive, let alone a business.”
Noah laughs. “True that.”
“Oooh, look, J, there’s a woman over there giving you the eye.” Theo grins, wiggling his eyebrows.
I’m pretty sure this was a tactic to get prying eyes away from him. I just really wish he didn’t use me to do it. Noah’s sitting right there for fuck sake. He’s usually the butt of all our jokes.
“And?”
“Erm, because she’s hot?” He gives me a questioning look, one that clearly says, ‘are you stupid?’
Reaching for my beer, I mumble, “Not really in the mood.”
“What? Who are you?” he gasps, holding the back of his hand to my forehead. “It’s not like you to turn a woman down.” He starts fussing over me, and I bat him away.
“Yeah, James. What’s up with you?” Noah asks, a sly grin on his face.
“Why do I need to chase tail all the time? Can’t I just have a drink with my friends?” I groan, pushing Theo away.
“He met someone,” Theo says to Noah from the corner of his mouth.
“I didn’t meet shit, asshole. I just… don’t want to.” Why my dating life has become a hot topic, I’ll never know. Standing up, I drain the last of my beer and go to prove them wrong. “Will this shut you up?”
Striding to the brunette, I prop myself against the bar as I give her what everyone calls my ‘Flynn Ryder’ smile. “Hi.”
She swivels around in her chair, her nose turned down until she sees me. The brunette looks me up and down before smiling broadly, her white teeth gleaming in the low light. “Hi,” she says.
Raven has a cut little overlap on her front?—
“What are you doing here?” I ask, though I really don’t care. I reach over and grab a napkin, acting nonchalant.
She laughs, crossing one leg over the other and showing me her panties at the same time. She leans an elbow on the bar as she sips her drink. “Having a drink. Why, what areyoudoing here?”
Raven’s laugh is deeper, huskie?—
“I, uh, saw you…” I fumble, standing upright. I can feel my cheeks flush, and a wave of discomfort hits me.
Get it the fuck together, man.
