Page 63 of Hidden Ascent

“No, thanks,” she said.

“Come on. You’re a white wine drinker, and you know it.”

“What I know is I’d rather you didn’t buy me a drink.”

The guy ignored her retort and nodded to the bartender to get his order. “My name’s Mason.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You look like a Rachel.”

“I’m not.”

“Rebecca? I bet it starts with an R.”

“I didn’t tell you my name because I don’t want you to know it. Not because I want to play a game.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“Are you trying to make me angry on purpose?”

He grinned, and she rolled her eyes. She knew guys like this who tried to control by ignoring anything you said they didn’t like.

“Your scowl is kinda sexy. And you look really familiar for some reason. Have we met before?”

“Is that a new spin on the ‘come here often’ line?”

“I know you don’t come here often. I would have noticed.” He looked her up and down. “You’re not the type to come into a place like this.”

“What type is that?”

The bartender put Isla’s drink in front of her. She smiled at him in thanks but didn’t touch the glass.

“The straight as an arrow type. You probably make your bed every morning and enjoy your routine, but it’s getting to you, right? You’re getting tired of doing things by the book. You’ve come here looking to get a taste of the dark side. Well, you’re in luck, Rebecca, because I can offer that to you and more.”

“It’s true, I do make my bed every morning, but I’m not here for the reason you think I am.”

“I’d love to hear all about it.”

“I’m not looking for company.”

“You say that, but if you wanted to drink alone, you could stay home.”

“I needed a change of scenery.” She scooted away from him as far as the stool would let her.

Mason laughed. “Playing hard to get, huh?” He slapped his hand on the bar, and she flinched. “Now I know why you look so familiar.”

Isla’s hand slid down to where her gun was concealed. “Oh, yeah?” She didn’t recognize Mason, but it was possible she’d arrested him.

“Rita Burn—Bunn—something or other. I can’t remember your last name, but I knew your name started with an R.”

“My name’s not Rita.”

“You went to Birmingham High, right?”

“No.” She released a silent sigh and retracted her hand from her weapon. “That’s not where I went to high school.”

“Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed. You played hard to get back then too.” He tapped his head. “That’s what shook it loose for me. You haven’t changed one bit.”

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