Page 8 of Wilde Abandon

Because Dean was right, he needed to hold on to her, because she was one of the few things he truly cared about losing in a life where he’d lost so much, or never had to begin with.

Tonight, he’d reclaim the place he’d had in her life in the past and hope she didn’t kick him out of her future, because he was tired of living without her and eager to show her the man knew how to be a good friend—and a whole lot more if she’d let him.

Chapter two

Melodysidleduptothe bar and shouted over the crowd, “Two chardonnays, six shots of tequila, one cosmo, four Bud Lights.”

Her dad was behind the bar covering for Jax tonight because her brother was home with his fiancée, Layla, who had the flu.It was sweet he wanted to take care of her.They were so happy together.

Lyric had Mason, who worked for the FBI.

Aria was still flirting with Mason’s brother and boss Nick.

Melody had her online geek…sort of.

They’d spent many weeks doing the get-to-know-you thing.Now she wanted to spend some time in person, to see if the spark she felt was an attraction they could build on.

She knew he came into the bar sometimes.She’d never figured out who he might be.In the packed space, it would be easy for him to disappear into the crowd.He loved to send her cheeky messages telling her how sexy she looked that night.But he always remained hidden in the shadows.She’d asked to meet him in person more than once.He kept putting it off.

For all she knew, he was some creep just stringing her along.

Though she did enjoy their conversations.The questions he asked, the things they revealed to each other, it all felt real and deep.She could be herself with him because online she could take her time, find the right words, and be brave in the privacy provided by distance.

But she wanted more than conversation.She wanted connection in the real world.She wanted to see his face when he spoke, the look in his eyes, and hear the way he said things.She wanted to believe that what had started online could exist in the reality of their day to day lives.

Her dad nodded that he’d heard her order and started pulling beer bottles out of the fridge and filling her tray.

Her phone vibrated in her back pocket.She pulled it out of the tight black denim skirt she’d worn tonight and tried not to get her hopes up.Her heart raced as she stared at the message from @lost_geek_found.She pressed her hand to her fluttering belly, took a steadying breath, bracing herself for possible rejection, then tapped the message.

@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: I’ll be there in ten minutes.

@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: I lost you once.I can’t do it again.Just remember, I’m the guy you’ve gotten to know again all these weeks.

@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: Please just give me a chance.

“Here you go, honey.All set.”

She lifted her gaze from her phone to her dad.

His eyes narrowed with concern.“Everything all right?”

“You know that guy I’ve been chatting with?”

“Yeah.”The grumble said he wasn’t so sure about a guy who didn’t ask his daughter out on a proper date like a gentleman.

“He’s coming to see me tonight.”

“About time.I can’t believe it took him this long.”

“Maybe he’s shy.”That’s the excuse she’d used to console herself when he refused to meet her until now.

“Glad he found his confidence for you.”Wade Wilde didn’t suffer fools or men who didn’t treat his daughters right.

She glanced at her phone again.“The message he sent doesn’t make sense though.”

“Why not?”

“He said he lost me once and can’t do it again.”She frowned at her dad.“Again?”

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