It’s too late for him to show up.
I slide my finger over my phone and start reading a text message when the back door swings open, and Ash or No Ash walks in.
Heat spreads over my cheeks.
He runs his fingers through his hair and flicks his head several times, shaking off the rain.
Silently, he swaggers to the bar. Scottie locks my eyes, his chin pointing to the man.
The man climbs onto a barstool and orders a drink.
He rests his elbows on the counter and stares vacantly at his glass.
His fingers go through his hair again.
He sports dark jeans, a black T-shirt, an emblazoned racer jacket, and biker boots. A silver necklace glints on his chest, matching the ring on his right hand.
The bartender sets another glass of scotch in front of him. He lifts it to his lips and tosses it back in one smooth motion.
I push my plate to the side, grab my keys and phone, and head to the bar. The man sitting next to him turns his head to me, giving me a quick once-over.
The man I’m obsessed with doesn’t even flinch.
I motion to Scottie, who walks behind the bar and meets me at the other end. Slipping my fingers inside my jacket, I retrieve a hundred dollar bill.
“Cover his drinks and keep the change,” I say, motioning to my left.
“Thanks.”
He collects the money and pulls away.
Without wasting another moment, I make a beeline for the back door and exit the place.
The air is cold, and it drizzles again.
I walk down the dimly lit alley to the corner of the building before heading to the parking lot.
Footsteps pound the ground behind me.
They come closer. And closer.
“Hey!”
The burst of anger in his voice hits me in my chest.
He sounds different than I expected. His voice is thick and smoky with a sharp edge to it, and it vibrates in his throat and chest, soaked in anger.
I should pick up the pace and just disappear.
Instead, I listen to my gut and stop. A few long strides put him right in front of me.
“Who the fuck are you?” he growls, sounding more like ‘Who the fuck do you think you are?’.
“I can ask you the same thing... No Ash,” I say, unfazed.
He scorches me with his eyes.
“I don’t need your fucking drinks,” he barks, his gaze roving over me.