Page 80 of Atlas & Miles
I just smirked. “I come with a side of sass.”
He smiled back. “I’m figuring that out.”
My grin widened, but I didn’t say anything in reply.
“Anyway, the personal question . . .” His voice trailed off as he looked at me expectantly, so I tipped my head in permission. “You left someone in South Carolina, is that right? Someone special?”
I nodded, tears burning the back of my throat. “I did.”
Colton nodded, staring down at his drink for a second before his eyes flicked up to meet mine again. “I’m sorry.”
I waved him off, though by the look of compassion on his face, both of us knew I was simply putting on a brave face. “He’s . . . well, I love him. It’s just not the right time yet.”
Surprisingly, his frown made me feel a little better. Maybe someone sharing my pain, even in this small way, helped. “I understand that. More than you know, perhaps.”
I raised an eyebrow at him but didn’t press further. After a moment of silence transpired between us, club music thumping in the background, I spoke up. “I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I changed the subject. “So how are you enjoying our fair city? How long have you been here?”
His shoulders visibly relaxed. “Not long, a few days. But I think I’m going to love it here.” He flashed me that friendly smile again. “I’m glad I ran into you, Atlas. It’s good to see you again, and it will be nice to have a friend in a new city, if I can be so bold as to assume we’re friends.”
His comment told me I was squarely in the friend zone, as it should be. I had zero interest in anyone but Miles. “Assume away, Colton, because I’m glad you’re here as well.”
We exchanged smiles as he finished his drink, left some cash on the bar top, then pushed from his seat and headed toward the exit.
Henry whistled lowly once he was out of hearing range. “You okay?”
My eyes shot to his at the unexpected question. I knew bartenders usually had a knack for offering a listening ear to their patrons, but Henry seemed more perceptive than most. “Yeah, thanks.” A small smile pushed up the corners of my mouth. “It’s just . . .” I waved around the bar, not knowing how to put what I was feeling into words.
“Ah.” Henry nodded as he dried a glass with a towel then set it aside.
I took another sip of my drink but stayed quiet, sensing he had more he wanted to say.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it sounds like you’ve had a rough go of it lately.” He glanced over my shoulder to the booth with his friends in it. “And I’m guessing being around them only helped so much.”
Shit, he reallywasthat perceptive. I raised a finger. “Got it in one.”
Henry’s smile was compassionate as he tossed the towel on the counter beneath the bar top. “I’m a good listener if you want to chat.” He glanced down the bar, which had considerably cleared out in the past hour, and shrugged. “Sometimes it helps to talk to a stranger.”
I flicked my hair off my forehead. The gel I used to hold it in place had started to fail. “Thanks, Henry. That’s very sweet of you. But I’m okay for now.”
“Got it.” He pushed off the bar top. “But the offer stands if you ever need a friend.”
My smile was genuine. “I appreciate that. You seem like you’d be a good friend to have.”
Henry’s eyes flashed with humor, and he leaned in conspiratorially to deliver his next line. “Us Daddies have to stick together, after all.”
My mouth dropped open. “You must have impeccable hearing.”
He snickered, throwing up his hands. “Not when I spend most of my time here.” His eyes trailed over the undulating dance floor before landing back on me. “Just a feeling I had. Being friends with Anson, the way you acted with the group, how you spoke about the man you loved . . . I’m just glad I was right and didn’t offend you.”
I waved him off this time. “Not at all. It’s nice you noticed, actually. I’m used to people assuming I’m a boy given the way I look.”
Henry studied me for a moment. “We aren’t all as we appear.”
What didthatmean?I wondered but didn’t ask as I pushed off my stool. Maybe something to do with what I sensed going on between him and Tristan? “It was great chatting with you, Henry. I’d love to do it again sometime.”
His smile was wide. “Anytime, Atlas.” He reached into his pocket, producing a business card and handing it over the bar. “My cell’s on there. Give me a call if you ever need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks.” I shoved the card into the pocket of my ankle-length suit pants. “I really appreciate it.”
