Page 14 of Reckless Encounters

We continue with the bullshit small talk for a while longer, but I'm bored. There’s no pull, no spark…nothing. She breaks the lull when she reaches for her purse and excuses herself to use the restroom.

I wave my hand in a go right ahead gesture and take another sip from my glass.

“Now, don’t you go anywhere.” She winks before walking away. Guess she’s thinking things are going better than I am.

Leaning back in my chair, I observe all the patrons here in support of Greg and his family. There’s a great turnout tonight, and I truly hope things take a turn for the better. I’d never tell Molly, or anyone else, this…but I'm also here because I’d do anything to support a family going through that hell. I certainly wish people cared enough about my family when we were going through it; any assistance would have been welcomed. For fuck’s sake, our own family wasn’t there to support us…

My eyes search through the crowd. Seeing Wes and Sloan deep in conversation with several guests across the way. He nods in my direction, and I return the gesture, knowing we will catch up later once the fundraiser winds down. We spoke briefly before, but they’ve been bombarded with people since the door’s opened.

I'm scanning for the leggy blonde with an attitude but trying my hardest to deny the reasons why. Finally spotting her back at the bar with her head in her phone, I can't help but wonder what is so deserving of all her attention.

Molly returns a few minutes later, breaking my stare. She bites her freshly reapplied lip and I know what’s coming next. “So, I’m thinking of heading out. I'm staying at a hotel not too far away… I’m not normally this forward, but would you want to join me?”

My response is instantaneous. “I'm flattered by the offer, but I still have some people to catch up with tonight,” I say, gently letting her down. I may be a dick, but Molly has been a nice way to pass the time. She doesn’t deserve me being an asshole.

Disappointment creeps into her expression, but she brushes it off quickly. “Guess I misjudged. I'm sorry for coming across so bold.”

“No need to be sorry. It was a pleasure meeting you.” I stand to hug her goodbye.

Leaning in, she gives me a lingering kiss on the cheek. “Maybe we can meet up some other time. I'm in the city often,” Molly whispers as she places a business card in my hand. I accept it, but only nod once.

“I’ll catch you later, Mr. Cole,” is the last thing she says before walking away.

My name leaving her lips sounds all wrong. Not at all like the temptress who taunts me daily with the sweet sound. The fact that she’s the first person who pops into my head has my jaw tensing.

And yet again, I seek Ava out. Her back is still facing me, and before I know it, I'm striding over to her.

Ava

“What’s so interesting on your phone?” Parker asks, pulling the bar chair back and sliding his big frame in next to me.

With a firm side-eye in place, I respond. “He does know how to speak… I was beginning to wonder.” I’m being a smartass. I’m more annoyed with myself that I let his dismissal tonight get under my skin.

“I’ve been busy networking.”

“Yeah, she looked like someone who has a lot to offer you professionally,” I retort, and before he can accuse me of being jealous, I flash him my phone, which has the ESPN app pulled up. “Quinn was texting that Eli’s in the bullpen.”

Parker glances around the bar. “Damn… I get TVs aren’t a true speakeasy vibe, but I may have to talk to Wes about adding some.”

That makes me snort. “Now, Mr. Real Estate Developer, you know that is not going to fly. He loves the authenticity of this place.”

Nodding, a smirk lifts his lips. Silence falls upon us as we both take another sip of our drinks.

“There’s a sports bar two or three blocks over… You want to go catch the end of the game?” he asks in a tone I’ve never heard from him.

My mouth falls open. “Wait, did you just nicely extend an offer to me?”

He rolls his eyes. “Oh fuck off, it’s not that big of a deal.”

A shit-eating grin takes over my face because yes. It. Is.

“Put it this way, Legs, I’m heading to the sports bar down the street to watch my best friend pitch.” Standing, he finishes off the rest of his whiskey, and I can’t help but quiver at the way his throat moves when he swallows. “If you are coming…let's go.” He starts heading in Sloan and Wes’s direction, and even though I love defying him, for once, I don’t. Maybe since we aren’t at work, he will let his guard down. I’m curious to see what hanging out with him one-on-one would be like.

The only other time we were ever alone…there wasn’t much hanging out involved.

And with that thought, maybe this isn’t the best idea.

“Since you don’t have any TVs in this place, we’re going to head out and catch Eli closing out against the Orioles,” Parker says in a teasing tone to Wes as they do that bro handshake/hug thing.

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