Page 9 of Click of Fate

“Whatcha drinking, Luke?” the bartender asks the guy next to me.

“I’ll have what she's having,” he says, winking at me. Alright, so he’s a regular since the bartender knows his first name.

“So you’re known around here?” I ask him. I was not expecting to hit it off with someone so quickly. Well, I shouldn’t say I’m hitting it off with him, but damn, I wasn’t even on the stool for a full minute.

His answering chuckle is low and sexy. He looks over his shoulder, taking in the place. “Yeah, you could say that.”

I narrow my eyes. “Okay. Cryptic, much?”

His smile is easy, and oh my gosh—this man is sexy in a rugged, outdoorsman kind of way. My eyes dart down to his boots, then travel up his dark, jean-clad legs to his fitted shirt. He clearly works out; I can see his biceps and the black ink swirling around his shoulder, peeking out of his shirt sleeve. I spy a few more tattoos down his arm and a simple leather bracelet. When I glance back at his face, he smirks.

“Alright, can I get either of you something to eat?” The bartender is back. “Luke, I trust that you’ll take care of our new patron here?” He tips is head toward me. “I’m Alex, by the way. Manager of this joint.”

“Future owner is more like it,” Luke adds, and Alex grins.

“Family owned. Just biding my time.” He places two cards in front of us.

“And you are…” I turn on my stool until I’m fully facing Luke. We haven’t been introduced yet, so I’ll play along.

“Luke Farley. Best friend of the future owner.” His smile is full and sexy as all get-out as he reaches out to shake my hand.

“Stella,” I offer. “And I’m new to town. Sort of, and to this bar.”

“Excuse me, but ignore this tool. He just introduced himself as my sidekick. I’m a one-man show, and my guy here is humble as fuck. He owns a rock climbing gym, so don’t let him fool you.” Alex shakes his head at me, as if to say,Who does this guy think he is?Luke’s lips press together. It’s almost like he wants to reply, but he doesn’t. Instead, he just keeps his focus on me.

I slide my hand in his outstretched one, and I’m immediately engulfed in warmth. He gently squeezes my hand before letting go and says, “Guess it’s my lucky night, then. I don’t get out much either. Seems we both had the same idea.”

Seems so.

“Ah. Gotta love it—fate and meatballs.” Alex chuckles.

Yeah. I don’t know about the wholefatething. I stifle an eye roll. I do know that I’m definitely interested in these meatballs…and this sexy man next to me.

Alright, Trading Post, you’ve got my attention. Let’s see if you can keep it.

Chapter 3

SWEET WITH A KICK

LUKE

“Gotta love it—fate and meatballs.”

If I weren’t trying to impress the woman next to me, I would’ve reached out and smacked Alex on the back of the head.

If he hadn’t just been waxing poetic about how I need to find “Mrs. Right Now” and have some fun between the sheets, maybe I wouldn’t be so annoyed with him right now. His fucking smirk grates on my nerves as he helps patrons who belly up to the bar. His wink when I make eye contact with him.

My best friend is going to heckle me about this for at least the next month. I’ve been so focused on running my rock climbing business over the past year that I haven’t enjoyed a night out in a while. While I’ve been living in Indy for a year now, Squeaky Bum Climb has only been open for about six months. It’s a lot of work to open up a family business franchise, and I’ve got a lot riding on this location being a success.

If anyone understands the stress and weight of running and proving yourself worthy of taking over the family business, it’s Alex Green. But unlike myself, Alex doesn’t have a problem with his work-life balance, is enjoying nights out, and meets womeneverywhere he meets. I’d love to meet someone, but right now, I’m laser-focused on Squeaky Bum.

When Alex texted me earlier today and told me about the fun special he had running tonight, he demanded that I stop by. When I realized I actuallt had the evening free and didn’t really need to stick around my office until ten like I normally do, I decided beer and meatballs sounded pretty fire.

“So, I’m not going to lie, I was wondering whatMeatball Thursdaywas all about,” Stella says, reading over the small menu Alex dropped in front of us. Glancing down at it myself, I realize he once again went all out for specialty food night.

“Yeah, I’ll give it to Alex. He knows how to pair beer and food.” I chuckle when is see he has seven different pairings.

“I never really think much of meatballs, but I’m strangely excited about this.”

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