This move was about her. Not about a single man.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she said.
“Are you a regular?”
She shook her head.
“Just passing through?”
She shook her head again. “If you want to know who I am, just ask.”
“And you’d give me an honest answer?”
“I’ve got no reason to lie to you.” She glanced at his leather cut, seeing the label marking him as President. “And why would I lie to the boss?”
He held out his hand. “The name’s Smokey.”
“Ava.” She shook his hand. “I’ve just moved here.”
He turned her hand left and right. “No ring.”
She chuckled. “Single, and I’m totally off men. I hate every last one of them.”
“A woman scorned?”
“Nah, a woman sick and tired of them and all the bullshit that comes with them.” She didn’t miss Derek. There was no pain or sadness. Just an overwhelming anger she didn’t even know she possessed. All her life, she’d been the calm one. The sweet one. The person to never make any waves and to always find the good in people. She was done with being a doormat. “To be scorned, I’d have to have actually cared what he did.”
Smokey’s hand lingered on hers, and she waited for him to say more. “I detect a mark where a ring should be.” His thumb grazed over her finger. “Recently divorced?”
“You got it.”
“And you say you’re not scorned?”
“Nope. It was the wake-up call I needed.”
“What did the bastard do?” he asked.
She chuckled. “What makes you think he did something?”
“You’re new here. You’ve got this … thing about you. I don’t know. It says you’re the one moving on, not him.”
Ava pulled her hand away from him, running a finger across her lip. Maybe it was the alcohol or just the fact she was finally free to do and say whatever she wanted, which was why she blurted out her next part. “I went home to discover my husband anally fucking another woman. Our sex had been completely lackluster. No spark. No nothing. It was just nothing. Let’s just say I’m well shot of him. He was the worst thing I ever did.”
Ryan came back and filled her glass. “What can I get you, Smokey?”
“The usual.”
“So, you visit this bar frequently?” she asked.
“Only when I hear there is a pretty lady sitting here all on her own.”
Ava snorted. “Please, I wasn’t born yesterday.” The drink was going to her head and her mouth. She needed to stop speaking. She pushed the drink away as Ryan put a beer down in front of Smokey. “Do you know of any cab company that will take me home?”
“Not this late, sweetheart. The only guy who does that is sitting right over there.” Ryan pointed toward the corner.
“Oh, crap. Looks like I’m walking.” She opened her purse, put down several bills, and got to her feet. “Pleasure to meet you, Ryan.” Then she put a hand on Smokey’s arm. He was rock hard. Pure muscle. “And you, Smokey. See you both around.” She turned on her heel and left the bar.
The tension between the two men was clear, and she had no interest in getting involved in whatever the hell that was. She just wanted some peace and quiet in her own little world.
Holding her purse tight, she began the trek back to her home. She’d have no choice but to make the same trek back to grab her car. This was just like her. Finally experiencing freedom, and look where it got her. All alone and having no choice but to walk home. Next time, she’d plan a little better. After three months in a brand-new place, she really should have her bearings about her now.
Running fingers through her hair, she glanced up at the dark, star-filled sky and took a deep breath.
The divorce from Derek had been stressful because multiple times, he’d tried to find ways to reconcile or any loopholes surrounding the prenup. Fortunately, her parents had been sure to steer her in the direction of a good lawyer. One who had been in the family for a long time.
“Ava.”
She stopped at the sound of her name.
“Ava.”
She must have drunk way too much if she was starting to imagine people shouting her name.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, she glanced behind her and was surprised to see Smokey heading her way. His long strides captured her attention.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“There’s no way a pretty woman like you should be walking all alone by herself.”
She groaned. “You really don’t have to do this. Honestly, I’m super fine.”
“Well, let me take your super-fine ass home.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Seriously? I’m not going to have sex with you.”
Smokey smiled, and it nearly knocked her right off her feet. “Now that I wasn’t expecting. I’m not after sex, sweetheart. I just want to know you got home safely. I’m being a gentleman.” He frowned.