Page 7 of One Pucking Destiny

“Twenty-two.”

“Nice!” Hattie nods in approval before singing the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s song “22.” I don’t know if I’ve ever had anyone burst out in a serenade for me like this before. I’m sure alcohol is involved, but I also get the impression that this is just Hattie. Oddly enough, her whole aura is endearing. She seems fun.

Book Thief raises his hand. With an amused grin, he says, “Yo, Taylor. Do you mind?”

“Sorry!” Hattie giggles.

“Where are your friends?” Book Thief asks.

I look past him, pointing in the general direction of the entire bar. “Somewhere over there.”

Before he can respond, another guy joins us. Coming up behind Hattie, he wraps his arms around her waist. She squeals, turns in his arms, and gives him a kiss. I steal a look toward Book Thief, and he wears a face of utter disgust as he glares at the pair.

“I’m going home with Anthony!” Hattie announces. “You can get back to my apartment safely on your own?”

“No, Hattie.” Book Thief frowns.

Not wanting to be a part of any family drama, I excuse myself and weave my way through the crowd to the back of the club. Our table is vacant save for the empty bottle of vodka and our glasses. Looking around, I spot my girls scattered around the dance floor, each with their tongues in a guy’s mouth. This is the time of night when we all start coupling up. Nothing makes a girl hornier than the impending closing time after a night of drinking.

“You okay?” Book Thief is at my side

I lean back and tilt my head up. I’m five foot eight, and this guy must be at least six foot four.

The smile. Check.

The height. Check.

The dancing. Check.

The charm. Check.

Yeah, this guy is right up my alley, but I don’t need anyone up my alley at the moment. “I’m fine. Everything okay with your sister?”

He sighs. “Yeah, she went home with her ex. Whatever, I get it. I’m just not a fan.”

“Not a good guy?”

“No, he’s fine. He’s just not fine for her.”

I nod. “Gotcha. The overprotective brother.” Damn, even that is a turn-on.

He grins. “I don’t know about all that. I wouldn’t say I’m overprotective. I just want only good things for the people I love. By the way, my name is Sebastian, but my friends call me Bash.” He extends a hand.

I shake it. “Ariana, but my friends call me Ari.”

“Nice to meet you, Ari.” There he goes with that hotter-than-hell grin.

“A little presumptuous to think we’re friends already. Isn’t it, Sebastian?” I raise a brow.

He shrugs and takes hold of my hand. “I don’t know. This is our second date, after all, so I’d say it’s safe to say we’re friendly at the very least.”

I snort. “This is not a date.”

“Whatever you say. Let’s dance.”

Seeing that we’re already on the dance floor, we start moving to the music. It’s hard to keep my guard up with this guy. I don’t know what it is about him, but I can tell that if I were to let him in, he’d stay. While he seems like an incredible person, I’m not looking for serious right now. I have to finish vet school before I can even think about a relationship.

Though, if I had a type, it would be Bash. He’s tall and muscular but not bulky muscle. He has floppy sandy blond hair, blue eyes, full lips, and a dimple under his right cheek. Beautiful is an appropriate wayto describe him and not just his exterior. He radiates goodness. I’ve always had a way of seeing into people, of knowing if their soul is good or evil. Bash is good. So good.

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