Page 49 of Fauxmance in the City

I held my breath, part of me wanting him to take deliberate steps toward me and do…something. Instead, his lips curled up into his killer smile and he said, “Now stop looking at those damn comments. You’re amazing.”

We were three bars and six drinks into the night. Natalie had dragged me across the East Village, and we’d ended up at one of my favorite little places, Key Bar. The manager, Aryan, knew us and had two Rolo shots—their signature drink—waiting when we walked in the door. It was chocolatey heaven in a shot.

“Oh, shit,” Natalie said, looking at her phone.

We stood, leaning against the exposed brick wall at the back, the lights low and red, marijuana smoke heavy in the air.

“What is it?” My words were slow and lazy, matching my state of mind.

“It’s after midnight. I have to be at the restaurant at six.”

For the past year, Natalie had worked at a hot new French bistro called Chez Bella. She was their sous chef, but the head chef may be leaving to start his own restaurant soon, and that meant she could fill the position. She’d worked hard, and I wasn’t about to let her screw up her chances on my behalf.

“Go. I’ll be fine.”

“No way.” Natalie shook her head. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

The speakers pumped electronic lounge music, and I swayed to the beat. “Aryan’s got my back. You don’t need to babysit me.”

“Tell him when you’re leaving and wait with him until the Uber picks you up.” Natalie glanced at the bar where Aryan was pulling a pint of beer. “Promise?”

I agreed and moved to the wall across from the DJ booth. Natalie spoke to Aryan and then left. He swung two fingers from his eyes and back toward me in the universal sign of “I’m watching you.” But not in a creepy way. Natalie obviously had words with him about my well-being.

I closed my eyes and sank into the music. The hypnotic melody washed over me, eroding my toxic worries. A warm body settled in next to me, and I slid my gaze to the man.

“Pedro!” I yelled, throwing my arms around him in a quick embrace. “What are you doing here?”

“Sam dragged me out.” Pedro took a long pull from his cocktail. “I was being a sad loser at home, and he thought drinking would cure my woes.”

I glanced around, my interest piqued at Sam’s name. Then I remembered he had plans to go out with Francine tonight, and my stomach soured. The last thing I wanted was to see them together.

“Why are you sad?” I asked.

“Amanda’s been in DC for nearly a month on a civil rights case and it just got extended again.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” I patted Pedro’s shoulder. “Did Sam leave? I don’t see him.”

“He’s in the bathroom.”

“Is Francine with him?” I asked, unable to resist.

“She was on call tonight and got called in.”

Francine was a pediatric surgeon. It was all very saintly, and it irked me. Who could compete with a woman who saved children’s lives for a living? Not that I was competing.

“I better go find Sam. He’s had a lot to drink. I don’t trust him to find me.” Pedro smiled. I smiled back. His grins were infectious. They transformed his entire face with a childlike joy that was charming.

“Don’t leave without saying goodbye,” I said.

“Sam won’t leave if he knows you’re here.” He winked and then disappeared into the growing crowd. Hmmm…I wasn’t gonna think too much about that comment.

The music lulled me back into a happy, fuzzy state, and I closed my eyes again. A wave of warmth from another presence radiated near my side, and I opened my eyes, expecting Pedro. But it was Sam.

His head rested against the brick, his eyes turned to me.

“Hi,” he said, and I swooned right there in the dingy bar.

His mouth moved again, but I couldn’t hear the words. I pointed to my ear and shook my head, signaling that the music was too loud. He tilted into me, his lips grazing my earlobe, his breath tickling. I smiled up at him, swimming in his gaze.

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