Page 43 of Dean

He’s checking to see if I made it safely. Of course he is. He’s a dream.

He’s my dream.

I can’t help but respond that he shouldn’t worry. And then I send him a selfie of myself and my drink.

He responds with a picture of a sad sandwich on his lap with his feet propped up near the fire.

Dammit. I should have just gone home.

I could be with him right now.

I sigh and take another sip of my drink when someone moves up next to me. I turn to see a cute guy with blond hair and a sweet smile. He looks nice.

Like he could be my friend. How sad is that? Trying to claim friends without even speaking to them first.

“That looks amazing. What is it?” the guy asks, his gaze meeting mine. I can see how earnest and well-intentioned he is.

I grin at him and shrug. “Who knows? The bartender made it.”

“Oh, Christy? She’s amazing.” He leans farther over the bar and waves her down. “I want what he’s having.”

“Course you do, Beau. Just give me a minute,” she replies just as another guy walks up wearing tight blue Chinos and a halfway unbuttoned shirt. Looks expensive. Damn, they’re both hot.

“Oh, hi, Coop. Guess what? I ordered this really pretty drink…” Beau says and then points to me once more. “This guy got it and it looked delicious.”

What a cute couple. I mean, maybe they’re a couple? Or just friends. I don’t know.

Coop meets my eyes and gives me a small nod. “Hi.”

“Hello there. I’m Avery.”

“I’m Coop, and this is my best friend, Beau. Do you come here often? Because I’m not sold on this place.” He glances around and grimaces. “I’mreallynot sold on this.”

Beau rolls his eyes and swats at him. “Just ignore him. He’s a snob. Anyone sitting here?” Beau asks, and I shake my head.

“No. Go ahead.”

“Thanks,” Beau says, taking a seat right next to me, and Coop sits next to him.

Christy slides the bright pink drink across to Beau, and he slurps at it.

“Oh god, that is delicious. You have great taste, Avery.”

“Anything you’d like?” Christy asks Coop.

“Something to make me forget I was ever here.”

“He’s joking, right?” Christy asks, but Beau just shrugs it off.

“No, I’m not. I want to wake up and think this was all a dream.”

“You better watch out or she’s going to put glass in your drink,” Beau says with a smile.

Coop doesn’t look worried, setting down a platinum credit card.

“He’s a trust fund baby. Real asshole. Always paying for my stuff,” Beau explains to anyone who’s listening.

“You need it. Actually, what you really need is a sugar daddy, but alas…”

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