Page 2 of The Best Number

I bite my lip, trying to decide if the embarrassment of asking him for help would outweigh the shame of going back to the bar to find Mel.

“Actually, I could use some help. Is there somewhere quiet we could go?” I realise it might sound like I’m coming on to him.“It’s not anything weird, I promise.” I gesture to the split in my skirt. His eyes track down, widening when he sees how much of my thigh is on show.

He opens the door he just came out of and gestures inside. “Come in here.”

I follow him to what looks like a part storeroom, part break room. “There’s some lost property in my office. I’ll grab it and see if there’s anything you can wear.” His voice is low and deep. I give a grateful nod and a small smile as I look around at the crates and boxes stacked neatly against one wall and the set of old-school lockers that fill another. I almost snicker at the cock and balls graffitied on one of the doors.

He’s back quickly, carrying a cardboard box with ‘Lost Property’ scrawled on the side.

“It’s insane the stuff we find when everyone goes home.” He puts the box on the table and pulls out two odd and very different shoes, looking at them with a quirked eyebrow. I laugh, inching closer as he rummages through. He pulls out a t-shirt and then what appears to be leather chaps. “I guess these won’t hide anything more than your ruined skirt,” he says with a grimace. “Ah-ha. Try this.” He pulls out a dark grey mackintosh coat. It looks like something a flasher would wear.But hey, beggars can't be choosers in this situation. I take it from him, holding it up to assess its suitability. “Do you think that could work?” he asks.

I swing it round my shoulders to try it on, sighing with relief when it closes around my middle, the belt knotted to keep it wrapped around me.

“Perfect,” I tell him with a grin.

“If I saw you in the street, I’d wonder if you were about to make someone’s lucky night, turning up in sexy lingerie under a raincoat.”

“Unlikely. But thank you. This should get me home safe and sound.”

There’s decent lighting in here, giving me the opportunity to stare at him. And he stares right back. My heart races. My tongue darts out to wet my lips and his eyes track the movement. A bang on the open door causes me to flinch. “Boss, can you come and change a barrel? Or take my place at the bar while I do it? We’re swamped out there.” A small blonde woman leans into the room, eyeing us both with curiosity.

“Sure thing, Abby. I’ll be right there.” He holds our stare a moment longer, but I lose any nerve I had about acting on this insane chemistry while one of his staff members is right there waiting for him. “All good?” he checks, brow raised. I nod and he gestures for me to walk out in front of him. I sigh as I head back to the bar to find Mel and fill her in.

The next morning, I make my way back to my new apartment from Mel’s place. It doesn’t quite feel like home yet, as I only moved in on Monday. But it’s my own space, away from my shitty ex.

With the key to my flat comes the key to my freedom and I want to make the most of it. That’s what last night had been. I wonder, again, if I should have tried my luck with that hot barman. But I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into anything. Last night was about letting my hair down and having some fun with Mel. Now I want to get settled into my new place and crack on with work to make sure I can make the rent payments each month.

The sound of low, husky voices drifts my way as I step off the elevator and through to the hallway where my front door is.I haven’t met my neighbour yet. The lady downstairs said he’s gorgeous and I want to see if I agree with her.

As I turn the corner, two men are standing by the front door of number twenty-two—my neighbour’s flat. A tall, dark-haired guy, with his back to me, grabs the other blonde guy and pulls him in for a kiss. They haven’t seen me yet. Undoubtedly, they’ll notice me when I open my door, but I don’t want them to think I’m spying.Fuck—they look hot together.It’s far too easy to imagine myself in the middle. Blonde guy moans and mutters what sounds like an invite to come back in for another round, but the other man declines with a shake of his head.

I clear my throat loudly to show them they aren’t alone. They break apart, turning in my direction. I’m sure my eyes bug out my head, cartoon style, as I realise that the tall dark one is the hot bartender from last night. I flick my gaze from one to the other.Am I in a dream where every man I meet is desirable enough to be a Hollywood star?

The blonde one grins and speaks up, “You must be my new neighbour? Hey, I’m Jack.” He strides towards me, his hand outstretched to shake mine.

“Er, hey, I’m Cass… Cassidy. Lovely to meet you, Jack.” My gaze shoots to the barman watching us. He spots me looking and gives me a raised eyebrow, before glancing down at the shoes dangling from my hand.

“This is Tom,” Jack tells me. I wait for him to confirm their relationship, but he doesn’t give me that information.

“Hey,” Tom says.

“Do you live here too?”

“Just visiting. Good to see you got home safely.” He raises his chin with a smirk. “Nice coat, Mac.”

If Jack senses anything odd about our interaction, he says nothing.

“We should go out for a drink or something, Cass,” Jack declares. “I’d love to get to know you better, neighbour.” From anyone else’s lips, I might have thought he was being sleazy, but his smile is kind and I get no creepy vibes from him.

“That sounds good.” I take my key out and unlock my front door, eager to get inside and get showered and changed. “It’s lovely to meet you both.” I give them an awkward wave before shutting the door.

What a beautiful pair,I sigh to myself. Thank goodness I didn’t throw my hat in the ring with Tom last night. Probably a good thing anyway, unless they play with girls too.Jeez, Cassidy, get your mind out of the gutter. I need to focus on my work and getting divorced, not my kinky threesome fantasies.

Chapter one

Cassidy

Six months later

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