Page 4 of And Then There Was Us
“Playoffs tend to bring out the smiles. And sometimes the fists, but luckily not tonight.” She watched him sip his water; then she began putting the bottles away.
“Is your kitchen still serving dinner?” he asked.
Dinner?She glanced at her watch and then back at him. “It’s almost ten.” She shrugged. “Sorry. They close the kitchen at ten. Maybe you can grab something at Bob’s, down the street.”Why am I still talking?She watched Kat crossing the bar to wipe down the booths.
“Nah. It’s okay. I’ll grab something at home.”
“I haven’t seen you in here before.” She glared at Kat’s back, wishing she’d come save her from her own inability to stop speaking.What is wrong with me? He’s just another customer. Then why does my stomach do a little flip every time he speaks?
He looked around the bar. “I’ve never been in here before tonight.” He finished his water as Kat came up to the bar.
“Done with Red…err…Tracie…already?” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
He shook his head in question. “Done with? I just gave her a ride home.”
“No onejustgives Red a ride home.” Brianna removed the towel from her belt and folded it, then set it on the counter behind her.
“Whoa. If you think I…” His eyes ran between the two women. “Sorry, ladies. That was a blind date, and she was definitely not my type.”
Kat leaned over the bar and smiled. “What is your type?”
Brianna shot her a look that said,The seductive voice? Really?
Kat ignored her.
“That’s a bold question.” He held out his hand. “I’m Hugh, by the way.”
“Kat.” Kat shook his hand.
He held his hand out toward Brianna. She narrowed her eyes. He was definitely a player.A really smooth one.There was no way she was touching his hand. If his voice made her stomach flutter, then who knew what kind of deluded thoughts his touch would give her.
She crossed her arms. “Brianna. Bree.”
He held her gaze and her pulse sped up.
“Yes. I remember.”
You remembered.
“Well, Kat and Bree, I guess I never thought about what my type is. I just know she’s not it.”
He looked away, and the way the light caught his dark eyes made Brianna wish for her camera again.One day I’ll be able to afford to get it fixed.His features were unlike those of anyone she’d seen before. His almond-shaped eyes were on the small side, and on any other man they might look too small, but they were in perfect proportion to his luscious mouth, and the way his thick neck gave way to his strikingly broad shoulders was more masculine than any model she’d ever seen. She realized only too late that she’d missed half of what he’d said.
“Smart and honest, I guess. Family oriented, that’s a must for me. I guess if I had a type, that would be it.” He ran his hand through his hair.
Family oriented? Smart and honest? Holy smokes. No way.She scrutinized him again. There was no tension in his forehead. He leaned his forearms on the bar and appeared comfortable and relaxed. Between school, photography, and bartending, Brianna had studied people’s faces for enough years to know a huckster when she saw one. Hugh was either a very adept liar, or he was not at all the type of person she assumed he was.
Kat pushed herself from the counter where she’d been leaning and looked at him with a soft, dreamy gaze.
“Bree, it’s ten, hon.”
Mack’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Thanks, Mack.”
“I’ll walk you out back when you’re ready,” Mack said.
“Is that your husband?” Hugh asked.
Kat laughed too loud, and it made Brianna laugh, too.
