The gracious thing for me to do would be to pay and get out before he has to make the decision. Because it’s obvious he wants to cut me off in a nice way, mistakenly believing it’s for my own good.
But if I leave…I may never see him again. I’m returning to Italy to study with Grandpa Thomas in two days.
The idea of never seeing Mr. Absurd again does funny things to my insides. I don’t recognize the feeling, and I don’t like it.
On the other hand, I should leave now before making a fool out of myself. Just look at him. He probably has a girlfriend. Or a harem of girlfriends.
I bite my lower lip, not liking that notion one bit. I’ve never fought over a man. There are plenty of pretty boys to go around, but somehow…this one is different.
Definitely time to get up and go. I must be more buzzed than expected if I’m getting jealous over a guy I just met.
Before I can get up, Mr. Absurd places a shot glass in front of me.
Wordlessly, I pick it up, wanting to know what he considers strong and neat, then knock it back. The liquid goes down silky smooth without any noticeable burn.
I give him a sweet smile to match the lovely aftertaste of the vodka lingering in my mouth. “Another one.”
This time, he doesn’t study me. He merely pours another shot.
I knock it back with my eyes on the bartender, forming a vague plan.
Stay until his shift ends.
Leave my Maserati in the parking lot.
Seduce him.
I’ve never seduced anybody, but how hard can it be? Even if things don’t go the way I want, there won’t be any “we might run into each other in an awkward way” consequences.
After all, I’m leaving in two days.
Chapter Four
Dominic
Elizabeth wasn’t lying about her metabolism. I keep a close eye on her throughout my shift, but she’s fine—speaking clearly, tracking conversations without any problem, laughing softly and generally being a good customer.
When I clock out at eleven, she gets up from her stool, tipping well over a hundred percent. I start to tell her it’s too much, but she shakes her head.
“I’d give more, but that’s all the cash I have. You were great company. I would’ve been bored out of my mind otherwise, and I didn’t feel like going home. And don’t forget—you introduced me to vodka.” She smiles, but there’s a stubborn set to her jaw.
Being gracious and grateful is the only option. Besides, she isn’t so drunk that she doesn’t know what she’s doing. If I thought she was drunk, I wouldn’t let her tip this way. “Thanks.”
We walk out together. The lot has a few of usual yuppie college kid cars, and, very unusually, a shiny Maserati that I can’t help but notice. It’s too flashy, too out of place.
She smacks her forehead with the heel of her palm. “Aw, crap. I forgot I didn’t drive here.”
“Were your friends your ride home?”
She frowns, then nods slowly. “Yeah.”
Damn. I can’t believe they left without offering to drive her back first. Who needs enemies when you have friends like those?
As though she’s read my mind, Elizabeth adds, “They probably assumed I’d call one of my brothers, except they’re all out of town. I should probably call a taxi…or…” She cants her head. “Can I ask you for a ride?”
She lives in Orange County, which is way too far for a round trip, but if I say no, the evening’s over. I feel oddly like Cinderella, except in this fairytale, she controls when the clock strikes midnight. “Sure.”
Amusement sparkles in her bright gray eyes. “You should’ve at least asked where I live. What if it’s the opposite end of the city?”