Page 3 of Twin Babies For The Grump

Before I can say no, I spot an absolutely gorgeous woman on the other side of the bar.

She’s standing over by the rails, one arm braced to the sleek black metal as she watches the ocean in the near distance.

Her long auburn hair has been partially pinned out of her face with a golden clip, though the majority of her beach curls have been left hanging down. It’s obvious from the rich copper of her skin that she spends a lot of time outside.

Beach bunny, maybe? That’s my first guess, at least.

My second thought is, doesn’t matter, she’s fucking gorgeous.

Looks like something has caught the King’s eye,” he says with a laugh and leans closer to follow my gaze. When he spots the woman in question, he gives a low whistle. “Great taste.”

“Out of my space,” I tell him, elbowing him lightly until he backs up.

Jimmy laughs. I get the feeling that he skipped the sipping whiskey and went straight to the shots. “Just saying!”

“Don’t drink so much that you turn into a dog, Jimmy,” Carmen says.

“If you want her, you better move in fast. That gym jockey over there is eyeing her up,” Jimmy continues, unbothered by Carmen’s comment.

I turn to where he’s gesturing at the same time Tom does.

God damn,” says Tom. “I’d say his biceps have to be double the size of his brain.”

I don’t see the man in question, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve got no interest in waiting around for someone else to snatch up this beauty.

Tossing back the last of my glass of whiskey, I bid my friends goodnight, knowing that I won’t be back around, and then make my way over to where she’s standing. Shoulders back, chin up—just enough to make it clear to the gym jockey, wherever he might be lurking, that he’s outclassed.

She’s too immersed in the view in front of her that she doesn’t notice when I lean against the rails, right next to her. The ocean breeze, together with her sweet perfume, is titillating.

“Have you been to the shore yet?” I ask.

Not my best conversation starter but when she turns to look at me, her lips curl up.

A pair of vibrant green eyes start to scan me head to toe for a few seconds and then the smile grows, a faint pink blush staining her copper skin.

She likes what she sees.

“No,” she admits. “I’m probably not going to get that far, either. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“What brought you to San-Fran?”

“I’m just visiting some friends,” says the woman, and that is exactly the sort of relationship that I like to get involved with. The sort that doesn’t involve anything long-term.

“How come you are here alone then?” I ask, wondering if those friends are going to show up and ruin my plans.

She shrugs. “They are not into this kind of fun despite having infinite places to entertain themselves. But bars aren’t huge where I live so I try to get into them whenever I travel to somewhere like this. You know, change things up a little bit, even if I have to go alone,” she says, her eyes crinkling slightly at the edges.

“Well, those friends are really missing out,” I say, and she nods looking around us. “On your company,” I add.

It’s cheesy but it earns me a soft giggle.

“How about making a new one?” I offer her my hand, my smile confident, poised. “King.”

“King, huh?” She looks me over again and then takes it. “Tess.”

No last name offered, and no last name needed. I prefer giving out my office nickname at bars, so I understand that.

Still, I’m vaguely aware that her name sounds familiar. I know someone with that name, but for the life of me, can’t figure out who that is. Not that it matters.

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