I don’t bother coming back with a retort. She’ll twist my words and use it against me. Instead, I lean my head against the side of the van, and think about everything that’s happened today. Soon Carlos and I will need to figure out a date where we’re seen.
We park and get out of the van. All four of us are tired and can barely walk. Setting up this wedding is the biggest we’ve done since I’ve been working with them. It makes all the others look tiny in comparison.
“Meet here in the morning?” I ask through a yawn.
“Yep.” Sam locks the van and pulls on the handle to make sure it won’t open. She does it with her car, too. I’m not sure why, but if it makes her feel better, so be it. “Around eight. It’ll give us a chance to check the flowers and do any last minute adjustments.”
“Sounds good. Night everyone.” Kate waves at us and gets in her car.
“Night,” I wave to everyone else and unlock my car door. I slide inside and start the engine, going through all the motions to head home. I wait until my friends are in their vehicles before pulling out of the parking lot. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.
The only problem is, I don’t turn down the road that will take me to the house I rent from Johnny. No, I go straight to the downtown area and pull into the parking lot of Out of the Ashes.
I find a spot and put the car in park, but I don’t get out. There isn’t a line out the door like there usually is. I guess the rain earlier today still managed to keep some people at home. Which is where I should be heading. Not sitting in the parking lot of the establishment my fake boyfriend works at.
I’m not even sure why I’m here. I think back to when I pulled him into the flower shop this afternoon, and as much as I want to deny it, his hand in mine felt good. How sad is it that the simple touch of his hand in mine, was almost able to reduce me to a puddle of goo. And when we were talking in the car? The way the words flowed and I told him things I’ve never uttered to anyone else; it was freeing.
There’s just something about him, and I can’t quite pinpoint what it is. Now, I have to decide if I’m going to leave the lot and actually go home, or go inside. I glance down at my clothes, an oversized sweater and yoga pants. Both are still damp from the rain and most likely sweat. The bar doesn’t have a dress code, but I’m sure I look rough.
I have every intention of putting the car in drive and hauling ass home. But my hands don’t listen to what my mind is saying. I turn off the car, pull the keys out of the ignition and open the door.
The door is feet away before I remember to lock my car. It’s almost like I’m in a daze. I open the door to the bar and walk in. It’s nowhere near capacity, which is unusual. The hostess, I think Delilah is her name, isn’t anywhere to be found so I find an empty stool at the bar and take a seat.
“Hey, what can I—woah, you look, uh, like you need a drink.” The new bartender is standing in front of me. “Are you okay?”
Talk about a winning endorsement about my appearance. Definitely should have gone home. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a long day.”
“You want your usual?” Damn, even the new guy knows what I order. I’m beginning to think I’m entirely too predictable and maybe what Carlos and I are doing will help shake things up.
“Sure, but water after that. I have an early morning.” Leaning my elbows on the table, I cradle my head in my hands. The music coming out of the speakers is loud, but it’s mellow. Not the usual club beats that play when we’re here on Wednesdays. I thought it would be on Friday night, but I’m guessing the few guests means they can take it down a notch.
Before Eric has a chance to grab my drink, I see a bottle of beer slide into my view. I lift my gaze and Carlos is in front of me a small smile on his face. “I saw you sit down, and figured you might be here for this.”
Little does he know, I’m also here for him. Not that he can leave work, but at least I can talk to him for a bit when he’s not busy. “Thank you.”
“I figured you’d head home after the day you’ve had.”
“Funnily enough, I had every intention of doing just that.”
He leans on the bar, “And you magically ended up here?”
“Something like that.” I shrug and take a drink of my beer. “Besides, I figured we’d hash out our next date.”
He laughs, and it’s deep, full, and kind. “I don’t think moving flowers counts as a date.”
“I was referring to breakfast,” I roll my eyes. “But I have an unexpected free night tomorrow night, maybe we could do something when you get off work?”
Where in the world is all this brazenness coming from? I’m never this forward. I can’t blame it on the alcohol because I’ve only taken one drink. Exhaustion. That has to be the cause.
“That sounds good.” He glances over toward Eric. “Hey, who is on the schedule for tomorrow night?”
I watch the exchange between the two of them. Eric looks over a piece of paper by the computer. “Me, you, the guy you hired last week, and Angie.”
Wow, Angie is working on a weekend. That doesn’t happen as often as it used to since she got in a relationship with Dylan. Another drink of my beer and it’s halfway down. Okay, so it was more like a gulp.
Carlos taps the table with his fingers, and presses his lips together. “Let me see if I can get out of here early tomorrow. If not, it’ll be late.” Before I can say anything, someone catches his attention. “I’ll be right back.”
I watch him take a customer’s order and make it. His movements are swift and sure. A part of me wonders if he’s as skilled in other areas, and quickly shake the thought from my head. Nope, that’s enough of that. It’s been a long time, but I barely know this guy. Even if I am attracted to him, I can’t be thinking about sex with him. That would be irresponsible, right?