There was a sparkle in her eyes that assured me she didn’t believe I needed to get a girl drunk to seduce her, and maybe she was flirting with me.
“Oh, no, perish the thought. That doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time. I prefer sober companions.”
“Then why offer me a twelve-pack? Do I look like I could manage twelve?”
“No, but it grabbed your attention.” And then I wondered if that sounded different from how I intended. “I mean, seducing you would be excellent, but not taking advantage of you. And I’d prefer you sober if my seduction plans work out.” I shrugged. “I don’t know you. I just want you to have a good time, is all.”
She looked me up and down. “With the big, fancy, famous football player salary, I guess it doesn’t matter if your date drinks one or one hundred.”
“Now you’re getting it.” I grinned and patted the countertop. “Yay or nay?”
She paused, taking a moment to think. I wasn’t used to any girl saying no, or even hesitating over her answer. “Okay, sure. I’m done for the night, and I’m off the clock. A drink with company would be better than drinking alone.”
The second she gave permission, I immediately took my seat. “Why the hesitation?”
“I’m not sure.” She smiled back at me and licked her lips like a seductive temptress. “I talked to some other guys who were interested in me earlier. I haven’t decided what to make of them.”
“Er, other guys, huh? Three of them, I’m guessing?”
Her smile widened. “Yeah. Your teammates.”
I couldn’t help but nod; so Tyler and the twins had gotten to her first. “What can I say? We see a girl we want, and we make a move. We don’t usually let opportunities pass us by.”
“Is that what this is? But you were all supposed to be competing for a date with Jenny.”
“Hey, we all played the game. And I was the consummate professional out there. And during the date I was a gentleman, but there wasn’t a spark. I doubt she’s going home disappointed just because we didn’t exchange numbers or anything.”
“I guess that’s bound to happen. Like, we’ve had speed dating events here. Who’d think you can have seven dates in an evening and still go home without meeting anyone you hit it off with?”
“You sound like you know from experience?” I pried to find out a little more. “Have you tried speed dating?”
She took a sip of her drink, and I wasn’t sure if she’d tell me any more. “Yeah. I was roped into one. And I gave it my best shot, but seven minutes can be plenty of time to realize you aren’t attracted to someone, even though they look good at first.”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket, set the stopwatch, and laid it on the bar top.
She watched but didn’t answer, so I said, “You’re attractive. Let’s see how long it takes before we both agree we want to see each other again.”
She laughed but shook her head. “I give it four minutes. By that time, one of us will decide to call the whole thing off.”
“Let’s see. Tell me about yourself; you obviously work here. Do you like it?”
“Yeah, I do, actually. I’m the head cook.”
“The meal I had with Jenny was amazing, by the way. Far better than I was expecting. Did you cook that?”
“I did. It’s not all onion rings and fries that we do here. In fact, that’s not what we usually do. I cooked something special for you based on our lunch menu.”
I laughed. “As pretty as you are, and you can cook. I should propose on the spot.”
Her eyebrows raised, and she sucked in her cheeks. “Your friend already dropped that line on me.” Obviously, unimpressed.
“Tyler?” I narrowed my eyes. “Asshole’s been stealing my pickup lines.”
“You can do better, football boy. But I guess you don’t, since why bother? You’re a big famous football star, and girls are tripping over themselves to date you.”
“Yeah, my handsome features carry me pretty far.” I placed an order with the bartender, getting a zero drink for me and lining up another for her. “You gotta literally be beating them off with a stick too.”
“I do wish I could beat a lot of them with a stick, but I’m fairly sure that’s still illegal.” Her genuine smile with a sparkle in her eyes was the best thing I’d seen all day.
I chuckled. “That many come at you, huh? You telling me I’ve got some tough competition?”
“Not exactly. Competition, a little, but tough? No. They think a bartender’s daughter is an easy way to get free drinks. I’m not interested, and I’ve gotten really adept at knowing when a guy is just going after me for freebies.”
“A girl like you should be courted for what you naturally have, not the free booze that you potentially provide. But are you saying your dad owns this place?” I asked.