Page 3 of Flexible Standards

“Not a fan of a night of debauchery?”

The enchanting woman lets out a full laugh and replies, “Hardly.”

“Neither am I. Have you been to the wine bar here? It’s a lot quieter than the casino floor.”

“No, but I’m sure they’re closed.”

“You want to go? I’m sure they’ll make an exception for us.” I wink, earning me a laugh. I lift my hand to signal to Tyler who begins making me another drink, even with one and a half sitting in front of me. “Can we close out?” He stops pouring the gin and raises an eyebrow at me. “After that one.”

Tyler finishes preparing my drink and sets it in front of me. I slide it over to my new friend, only now does it occur to me that I don’t know her name. I hand him a hundred dollar bill, and he pulls her card from the glass with her tab, handing it back to her.

“Oh, you don’t need to?—”

“Come on, let’s head over to the wine bar and have that night of debauchery you’re so fond of.”

“If it doesn’t involve pyjamas and a book, I’m out,” she laughs.

Eyes wide, I still. “Can we? Fuck, that sounds bloody brilliant. Gin, a good book…”

She brings the glass to her lips, speaking into it, “Are you for real?”

“I’m most definitely real, but I could say the same about you.” I offer my hand. “Sam.”

Her hand slides into mine, and I swear a warm tingle runs up my arm. “Isla.”

Fuck, her name is pretty, too?

She takes back her hand and drinks her gin and tonic in a few gulps, chuckling to herself, “Knew I’d be gin-drunk tonight.”

“This may be forward of me, but would you like to come home with me and have a night in? Read a book or two, have a drink?”

“Depends, smut-lover. I’ve seen what ebooks you have, but which do you prefer: paperback or hardcover?”

“Hardcover for the shelf and paperback for bedtime reading,” I reply without hesitation.

Isla’s smile is wide, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever fucking seen. “Perfect answer.”

isla

. . .

What the fuck am I doing?

Sam and I finish our drinks, and I call Jodi, who picks up on the first ring. “Bitch, where are you?”

“I’m, uh, going to go read books and get drunk with this guy I met at a bar,” I reply, my eyes not leaving Sam’s.

He laughs, shaking his head, whispering, “When you put it like that…”

“It’s a trap,” Jodi insists, making me chuckle. “He’s seen too many posts on social media and knows how to get into a bookish girl’s pants. Let me guess, he said he just wants to snuggle and read all night? Run!”

“Guess your plans are foiled, Sam,” I giggle, and his brows pinch in confusion. I then tell Jodi, “I’ll send my location, his Social Security number… Wait…” I jokingly ask Sam, “Do you have a Social Security number?” He chuckles, mouthing yes, and I swap back to Jodi to continue, “He does, but I’ll send his address and a mug shot so you know I’m safe.”

“If I don’t hear from you in the morning, I’m sending SWAT to break down his door,” she harrumphs.

“She says she’ll have SWAT at your door in the morning,” I whisper to him. I then tell Jodi, “Have fun with the girls! I’ll see you at work and tomorrow night for the show.”

“Fine,” she groans. “You better get laid, though. Your pussy is going to shrivel up if you don’t.”

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