Page 3 of Her Paramedic
“Then it was probably your delivery. Either way, enjoy the rest of the night, and don’t tell any more truths.”
Talia knew well that Alivia’s truth was straightforward, but it could also appear callous or like she was probing for a reaction when that wasn’t the case.
“Let’s get some food. I’m starving,” Jax announced, and Talia downed the rest of her drink.
It wasn’t until she was in the parking lot, getting into the car, that she realized she hadn’t answered Slate’s question.
«-•-•-•-•-•-•-»
Slate sat across from Talia as he drank from his beer bottle. After leaving the last sports bar, they contemplated finding a diner but went to a bar and grill instead. They’d ended up across from one another by accident, but he was not complaining.
He spotted her as soon as she’d walked into the last bar with the other women. He hadn’t known at the time that Axel was dating one of them, but his eyes had immediately migrated to her. All the women were pretty; he would be lying if he said they weren’t, but Talia commanded his attention.
If he’d thought she was beautiful from afar, she was stunning when the women joined them. When they were all introduced, her eyes were the first thing that drew him in. They were the brightest honey brown set against cinnamon skin. They portrayed a false look of innocence because Slate could see themischievousness behind them. She had curves for days, ones he wouldn’t mind getting lost exploring.
It was a physical attraction at its finest, and as she’d watched him play a few games against his friends, he knew it wasn’t one-sided. He let her peruse him, take him in with no indication that he knew she was doing so because he wanted her to, wanted to watch her unfiltered reaction to him.
She surprised him when she decided to play with him, and even more when she beat him. Not to toot his own horn, but pool was a game where he seldom lost to anyone, and if someone was lucky enough to win once, there was rarely a second time. That was until he played her.
“Talia,” Slate started, getting her attention. She and Alivia, as she was introduced, who was sitting beside her, both turned their attention to him. “Who taught you to play pool?”
“My dad. I’ve been playing with him since I was a little girl,” she responded with a fond smile.
“He taught you well.”
“Too well, if you ask him. He’s like you; he seldom loses unless we play each other. Not saying I beat him every time, but when I do, he takes the credit for teaching me.” She laughed lightly, and Slate enjoyed the sound.
“What brought you to the sports bar tonight?” he questioned, to keep the conversation going.
“It was Zuri’s idea. She got to choose and wanted to go there. I think she said something about their happy hour,” she responded.
“So, Slate, you’re an EMT, right?” Alivia asked before he could carry on his conversation with Talia.
“I’m a paramedic.”
“Same thing,” she replied.
Slate took a drink of the water in front of him. He planned on driving home when they left and decided not to drink anymore for the night.
“They aren’t, but I don’t expect you to know the difference.” He probably shouldn’t have said it, and he definitely shouldn’t have let it slip out in the tone he did, but he was only matching hers. “What do you do, Alivia?”
“I work in Corporate America.”
Slate didn’t respond, taking another drink of his water as he caught a part of Killian’s conversation with Journee. His cousin had moved down to sit beside her a couple of minutes ago, and he knew him well enough to know that he wouldn’t leave town without getting her number.
“About that haircut,” he stated, his attention returning to Talia.
“Whenever you need one, let me know.”
“And if I’m bypassing the haircut?” he asked, his eyes locking onto hers.
She bit her bottom lip briefly before a smile blossomed across her face. “Let me know.”
He could feel someone staring a hole through him, and he didn’t have to look at her to know it was Alivia. Slate wasn’t sure what he’d done to get on her bad side, but it was clear from his small interaction with her that she didn’t like him.
If he didn’t know any better, he would have suspected they were dating, but surely Talia wouldn’t have reciprocated his flirting while they were playing pool if she were dating someone. Her answer to the question he’d asked in so many words a moment ago wouldn’t have been yes if she were. At least, not in front of Alivia.
“You good, Alivia?” Ace, who was to his right, asked.
