Page 6 of My Undead Heart
As soon as Rae and Jared walk inside I step away from the bartender who is attempting, unsuccessfully, to hit on me. He calls after me, asking where I’m running off to, but I don’t look back. I’m not like most women, sure, but I find it difficult to believe those lines work for him, even with his stunning good looks.
Jared’s eyes are wide with interest when we slide into one of the empty booths. “What was that about?” His lips, painted along with half of his face, pull up with his mischievous smirk.
“What?” I shrug, my gaze skirting his to glance at Rae’s raised brows.
“You with that fucking hot piece of man meat.” she says.
“Oh, the dickhead.” I wave my hand across my face. “Nothing.”
“Ugh. Why? Why do you do this?” Jared throws his hands up and slams them onto the table. His arm is crowded with intricate paint that mirrors an open flesh wound.
I glance back to Rae, pointing to what’s certainly her handiwork.
She blinks, tilting her chin with a slight smile. She’s too humble, but the woman should be working on movie sets, not as some assistant to an assistant buyer. She’s so talented with hair and makeup. It’s all self-taught from working in the fashion industry.
“Mia,” Jared says sternly.
“What?” My gaze goes back to his pointed stare and I feign stupidity.
“All the hot guys hit on you and you don’t even care,” he whines and Rae’s laughter fills our corner of the bar.
My lips pull wide with my smile. “You’re right. I don’t.” I shrug while both my friends stare off behind me. They’re openly ogling the bartender. I don’t even have to turn to know. He was really attractive. Tall. Fit. A little more than a five o’clock shadow. Full lips that smile a little too easily. Dirty brown hair with slivers of blond catching the light. Let’s not forget eyes that were made for getting lost in. Too bad he was a typical douchebag.
“But it’s not fair. He’s so pretty. Why are all the good ones straight?” Jared complains.
“Look at that hair. I bet he can pull it back into a manbun.” Rae exhales, a deep sigh with a pout of her lips.
“You really need to get over your Thor obsession.” I shake my head.
Her hand goes to her heart. “Never.”
Their eyes flick to the door again and Jared winces as Rae’s eyes widen a beat before turning her big blues on me. “Shit. I forgot to mention ...” Her voice fades and I’m thoroughly confused.
“What am I missing here?” I say and Jared won’t even meet my stare.
The table jostles as one of Rae’s best friends ... and the most annoying human on the planet, props her giant designer bag on top of the table.Violet.She’s an anti-Mia. Bubbly, blonde, flirtatious and everyone’s best friend. Except for me. Because there’s just something about her that rubs me wrong. Rae and Jared know my distaste for this woman, even though I try to hide it—at least from Rae—and I have no doubt they intentionally failed to mention her attendance for today’s outing to save face, or an argument.
“Hey! What’s happening?”
“Mia shooting down hot guy at ten o’clock.” Rae’s gaze darts between us and begs me to be nice. I’ll try.
“Bartender guy? Fuck, Mia. Why do you do that?” Violet smacks her lips and turns to shoot the man of contention a sultry, flirty little smile and wave. “I’m no lumberjack, but I’d down that tree.”
Rae gives her a high five and they all laugh.
Everyone except me.
Violet slides in next to Jared. “But really, Mia. You aren’t getting any younger. A man like that shows interest? You need to get on that.”
“Or under it.” Rae sighs.
“Hell, yes. Please, Mia. If you won’t do it alone, let’s go together. I’d go bi for him. Purely unselfish, of course. To be there for you. Emotional support.” Jared winks, causing Violet and Rae to giggle.
“You guys! Enough! I won’t lower my standards simply because someone looks fantastic in their birthday suit.” I cough when Jared’s grin widens with a raise of his brow. “I mean, I imagine he does.”
“Yeah, he does.” Rae licks her lips.
“He’s not my type.” I say.
