Page 14 of No One But You

Bryson stood when I got closer to the table. That’s a bit much, even for Bryson. He wasn’t usually so kind as to give up his chair, especially when he was next to Darlene.

“Hey, you made it,” Bryson greeted Kai.

My mouth dropped open. How in the world could they know each other?

“Kai, this is Summer, Kora, and my wife, Darlene. Kai’s doing the addition to the hair salon.”

“Nice to meet all of you.”

He was right behind me. I could feel my insides churn with frustration. I couldn’t stay there any longer. “Sorry to interrupt,” I said, not even trying to keep the frustration from my voice. “Summer, I need to borrow you in the bathroom. I’m wearing quite a bit of margarita and beer and would really like to no longer smell like tequila and a brewery. I might have to borrow what you’re wearing.”

“Yeah, you look awful, but if I give you my sweater, what am I going to wear?”

“You always have on a T-shirt or cami. You can share.”

Summer glanced at Kai, then back to me. A look flashed in her eyes, but I couldn’t figure out why. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Thank God. I need to get away and get dry. “Darlene, finish what’s left in that pitcher, and maybe you could get us another since I’m wearing most of this one.” I needed a drink before; now I could really use one. I threw a hard gaze at Kai.

He touched my arm, and a shock ran from that spot up to my heart, causing it to skip a beat.

First, he tries to drown me, now kill me by stopping my heart. What a guy.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bathe you in beer.”

The look he gave me was apologetic, almost like a sorry golden retriever—well, a golden retriever if they had striking gray eyes. Really striking gray eyes. A sigh escaped my lungs. “It’s not a big deal. I was on my way to the restroom, anyway. I’ll just clean up while I’m there.” Idiot! Frustration finally coursed through my veins. “Come on, Summer.”

I grabbed her and stepped around Kai. I really had to get to the bathroom, and soon. I smelled more like an old frat party by the second. It was disgusting.

I entered the restroom with Summer close behind and turned on the faucet. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror and shook my head. My T-shirt, which was white, was now see through and my bra was visible for all. No wonder Kai’s eyes were large and struggled to focus on my face. I thought it was because he was embarrassed, but it seemed as though it was other interests that kept him from looking up. “Men.”

“What’s wrong with men?” Summer asked. “He couldn’t keep his eyes off your boobs.”

I huffed and shook my head.

“It could be worse. Dude is hot.” Summer unbuttoned her sweater and handed it to me, and as I predicted, she had on a silky black tank top underneath.

“I would feel bad taking this sweater from you if I thought you’d be embarrassed to walk around in that all night.”

“Why would I be? With these jeans, maybe I’ll get the new dude to take notice of me.” She tucked her top into the waist. “Did you see those eyes?”

“Kai, not dude.” I peeled off my shirt, dried my bra the best I could, and slipped on Summer’s sweater. The knitting was large, which made it easy to see the bra underneath. I modeled in the mirror and shrugged. “Looks good. Just glad I’m wearing a cute bra.”

“It does.” Summer stepped from the stall and washed her hands. “So, Kai’s the one you had a thing with this morning.”

I entered a stall and said nothing until I finished peeing and was drying my hands. “He changed my tire this morning.”

“Amazing eyes is the hot, handsome hunk you were talking about earlier,” Summer stated.

“Correction—you were talking about. I told you about my shitty morning. He is now a bigger dumbass who wasn’t paying attention and spilled beer on me.”

“So, if he’s such a dumbass, you won’t mind if I hit on him, will you?”

“Really, Summer. You hit on everyone.”

“Not if you’re interested.”

“You know I’m not interested. I’m focused on my future, and men are no longer on the to-do list.”

---