Page 43 of Unmasked Legacy

“Can I get you a drink, Mera?”

I point to the beer. “I just got a fresh one, but thanks.”

“Can I keep you company, then?”

I stare at him and think immediately that he wouldn’t be horrible to go home with. No, in fact, he would be lovely to go home with. A good-looking guy like him might be just what I need to take my mind off Wolfe. So, I give him my best smile and nod. “I’d like that.”

He keeps the grin. “What brings you to the bar so early, Mera?”

I could tell him the truth, but that might just scare him off and I don’t want that. Not right now, anyway. “Just a crappy day,” I go with. “What about you?”

He shrugs. “Same.”

“Well, we can wallow together.”

He chuckles. “I like the sound of that.”

“I have to know ...” I smile at him. “Do you play sports?”

He laughs. “That obvious, is it?”

I giggle. “I don’t know. Have you seen yourself lately? You look like some kind of football superstar.”

He snorts. “Maybe not a superstar, but you hit the nail on the head.”

“Well, I have to admit, I’m surprised you’re in here talking to me. I’m quite certain you have women throwing themselves at you on a daily basis.”

He takes a sip of his beer. “Maybe I like the ones who don’t.”

I flush. “Well, I’m sorry to say it, but I might do just that after a few more beers.”

He leans in closer. “I might let you.”

I talk to Nash for at least an hour, and I don’t see Wolfe return in that time. I’m attempting to switch my brain off so I don’t think about exactly where he might be, or what he might be doing. I’ve made a promise to enjoy myself, and I’m planning on keeping it. Besides, Nash is so easy to talk to, I find myself easily distracted by him. When he shuffles closer, and our hands gaze or we lean in to talk really close, I get a little flutter in my chest.

It feels nice to be noticed.

“Leave.”

The gruff voice comes from behind me as I’m leaning in, giggling at something Nash is saying. I straighten and turn to see Wolfe, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes burning a hole right through Nash’s profile.

“Can I help you?” I ask innocently, offering Wolfe a smile that tells him I’m not here to mess around.

Nash turns to look at him too, his eyes narrowing. “Yeah, man, can we help you?”

“You can help me by gettin’ the fuck away from her.”

Nash looks to me. “Do you know him?”

I shake my head. “Never seen him before in my life.”

Wolfe looks ready to murder me.

“Mera, get up before I fuckin’ get you up.”

Nash narrows his eyes, no doubt wondering what kind of person he has just met in me. I told him my name, which means he now knows that Wolfe does in fact know me, and I just lied to him about it. Great, there goes my evening fun.

“I’m just going to leave you to it,” Nash murmurs, pushing out of the stool and slipping past Wolfe.

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