Page 29 of Old-Fashioned

Deciding to tease him a little bit, and still being completely confused over his hot and cold reaction three days ago.

I leaned my forearms on top of the bar and winked, “Well since you asked. My type is someone who’s rugged. Manly. Tattoos. Beard. A killer smile. Someone that can make me laugh.” I paused for a few beats, knowing I had described him to a ‘T. But I had one more thing to say, “Someone that can be an utter asshole to others, but to me, he’s a big old marshmallow.” I breathed out and then I spun on my heel and delivered the drinks I had ordered.

All the while a deep growl resounded at my back.

I snickered.

“So, what was all that with the boss earlier?” Three hours later we were camped out in my living room, Chris Hemsworth on the screen, kicking ass, and lemon pepper chicken and grilled veggies filled our plates.

Ryker had greeted me at the door and growled at Isla until I carefully introduced her to him, and the moment he allowed her to pet him, I wanted to cry.

And yes, Ryker had yet to allow me to be in any room where he couldn’t see me.

I stared at the screen and muttered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She snickered, “Uh-huh. Sure, you don’t.”

Therefore, I snickered right back, “You know, my Miss Maggie said it was unladylike to talk with your mouth full of food.”

She let out a little growl, chewed, and then swallowed and that was followed by her fork hitting her plate.

And yes, I had told Isla and Priscilla all about Miss Maggie.

Priscilla had a date tonight and therefore wasn’t able to be here for girls’ night.

Which she didn’t like that the man wouldn’t let her change plans. Yes, it was rude to cancel, or change made plans, but girl night trumped every card.

“Okay then, now, tell me. I’ve been dying to ask since I witnessed what I did earlier.”

“Honestly, I don’t even know. Everything at the diner was great. We talked. We laughed. It was great. Seriously. Then out of the blue once we found Ryker it was almost as if a switch was flipped. I don’t understand it.”

“You know, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I’ve known that man for eight years, and I’ve never seen him look at another woman like he does with you. Hell, his eyes track you through the bar. He growls if anyone gets close to you, and they are of the male species.”

And that was how everything went downhill the next night while we both closed.

“Do it. Girl, you have to. I’ve seen the way that man watches you. And he always knows where you are in the bar. He could give two shits about anyone else. Just do it.” Isla murmured to me while we were helping Vincent prep food for the orders tonight.

Taking in a deep breath for courage and knowing that if I didn’t do this, I would always wonder what if. Besides, I really wanted to know what was up with him.

Therefore, I nodded at her, walked out of the kitchen, and then walked up to the bar.

Seeing he was alone, I smiled, and then called out, “Hey, Abel, do you have a second?”

He looked up at me, nodded, and then said, “Yeah, what’s up?”

“I wanted to see if you wanted to come over tomorrow night. And I’ll show you my cooking skills.” I asked him with a small smile on my face.

But nothing could have prepared me for what followed.

Absolutely nothing.

“Sorry, Birdie. I got plans.” And with that, he looked away from me and to the other woman who had just walked back from the bathroom and sat down on her stool close, very freaking close to where he was standing.

And just then the woman ignored me, and said to him, “Okay, so I was thinking we can go to Juliana’s and then you can take me back to your place and show me that older men know how to move their bodies.”

I didn’t stay to listen to any more of it.

I walked away from them carefully, trying not to show the hurt on my face, Isla stepped to my side and followed me back to the kitchen to finish a few things, “Well, what happened?”

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