Page 17 of The Holiday Fail

That had me flinging my head toward him with wide eyes.

“What? Am I not attractive enough to be hit on by you?” Andy said with a smirk.

“No…I mean, yes. Why do I feel like this is a trick question?” I groaned and banged my head on the table.

Gentle laughter sounded from beside me. I turned on my cheek to see Andy watching me with amusement. “I’m glad you find this situation funny,” I muttered.

He stretched out his hand and swept my hair out of my face. His hands were large and calloused, but his touch was surprisingly gentle as he rubbed my tousled hair.

“Maybe it’ll be less pressure on you to try to pick up someone you know won’t be trying to get into your pants,” he said.

I hummed in reply. I closed my eyes, enjoying the way he was playing with my hair. He could lull me to sleep with those fingers.

“I think we’re gonna head out,” Jim suddenly said.

I straightened in my seat to see Austin and Jim scooting out of their side of the booth. I followed and stood too.

“Already? It’s still early,” I protested. Jim usually had early mornings at the farm, but even still, they were leaving earlier than usual.

“Austin has an airport pickup scheduled for the wee hours in the morning, and I don’t want him falling asleep on the wheel,” Jim said gravely. He helped Austin with his jacket, then turned back to face me. “But I like Andy’s plan. It’ll be good practice for you.”

“Agreed. Let us know how it goes,” Austin added. He glanced between me and Andy. Something passed through his eyes, but it was too quick for me to see. “We’ll see you next week?”

“Yeah, definitely. Drive safe tomorrow,” I said andgave them both hugs. They clapped hands with Andy, inviting him to our next weekly get together before leaving.

Austin and I had gotten close before he and Jim were a thing. After they coupled up last year, the three of us became closer and started our weekly meetups.

“So,” Andy started. He stood beside me, his hand slipped in his pocket, stance relaxed. “Is it time to play strangers?”

“We’re really doing this, huh?”

“Yes, I think so.” He frowned. “Unless you really don’t want to.”

“No, you’re right. This will be good practice,” I replied.

He flashed me a white smile. “All right then. I’ll see you at the bar, stranger,” he threw over his shoulder, then left me standing there.

I watched his departing back through the sea of people. He walked with purpose, eyes on his destination, and completely unfazed by the interested glances his way.

He found a stool near the edge of the bar and waved down the bartender.

Jude was the bartender on staff tonight, and even at this distance, I could see the flirty laughs and pretty smiles he shot at Andy. I couldn’t blame him. Andy had a way of commanding the room without even trying.

Maybe his effortless confidence was normal in New York, but here? It left him with more than one or two admirers as they watched him interact with Jude.

And now I was supposed to go up to him and flirt with him?

Even the most confident person would be a little unnerved in this situation. I swore I could feel all eyes on me as I followed the path Andy took. My heart pounded against my chest, loud even under the brimming noise of the pub.

I didn’t stop until I slid onto the free stool beside Andy. “I’llhave whatever he’s having,” I called out to Jude, gesturing toward Andy’s way. Then, I twisted my body toward him and rested my head on my hand.

Andy watched me, an amused smile lighting up his face. “I hope you enjoy water,” he said.

“What?”

“Water. That’s what I ordered,” he repeated just as Jude came by to drop off two glasses of, as he’d said, iced water.

My head nearly slipped off my hand. That was how uncool I currently felt. To hide the shame of the unsuccessful use of a pickup line, I grasped my cold glass and took a long gulp. The cold water slid down refreshingly, helping mask the burn of embarrassment.

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