Page 62 of Chasing Sunrise

After she clinked the shot glass against the bottle, she guzzled it.

The customers and workers turned their heads toward him at the same time. Some called out. “Hey, Hunter!” “What are you doing here?” “Your show is great.”

“Thank you.” He nodded to them. He wanted to be angry they were watching Amanda, but she was damn sexy, and he couldn’t blame them.

“You’re more handsome in person than you are on TV.” She smiled at him. “You were attractive with the beard, but are better looking without it. You were so gorgeous in the tux at Dre and Quinn’s wedding. You look good in everything. Like right now, in shorts and a t-shirt. Hot.”

She leaned over so they were eye to eye. Her eyes, such a lovely shade of blue, held him spellbound. “I’m no longer an alcohol virgin.”

“Come down and tell me why, darling.”

“Darling.I like to hear you call me that. It makes me tingle inside.” She shivered. “Charming Kasey, even though we’re doomed to never be together, you really are a kind, sweet man.” She held out the shot glass and bottle to him.

He took them and “accidentally” tipped the bottle over when he set it down behind the counter.

Amanda didn’t even notice until the bartender rushed over with a towel to slop up the liquid. She scowled at Kasey.

“I’m a klutz.” He held out his hand.

Instead of taking it, she knelt, teetered until she landed on her ass, and turned to the bartender. “Stefan, thank you for allowing me to fulfill my Coyote Ugly dream.”

The skinny bald man with head tattoos answered, “You’re welcome.”

Her legs dangled from the counter. When she bobbled on the edge, Kasey clasped her waist so she wouldn’t fall. He carefully held on to her until her feet hit the ground, and she was stable.

“I am off to the loo,” she said in a British accent.

He knew her parents were from London, yet he’d never detected the slightest accent in her speech until now. Kasey followed her as she staggered to the restroom and waited in the hallway until she reappeared.

Cartwright met them at the door. The manager handed her purse to Kasey. “You might want to go straight to the ER and have her stomach pumped.”

“I’ll see how she is after we sit outside for a while. The fresh air should help.”

“Nothing can help me.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s all my fault.”

“What’s your fault, honey?” Kasey asked.

“My parents’ deaths.”

“Things without all remedy should be without regard: what’s done is done.”

~ William Shakespeare

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