Page 15 of Playbook
The bartender finishes pouring the shots and I take them four at a time, handing the drinks out to people around me. That’s when I notice the brunette with the hot glare has moved closer. Or she’s trying to. It’s packed in here and the bar area is especially difficult to maneuver around.
She looks a little frazzled, a lot on edge, like she’s had a bad night. For some reason I find myself wanting to know why. Even if it’s something I’ve done. I could apologize to her all night long.
I give Cody the rest of the shots. “Take two of these and try to have a good time.”
Then I move past him, cutting through my teammates to get to the girl. As I get closer, she aims a smile at me that feels…wrong. She’s gorgeous but the way she’s looking at me has a prick of unease spreading through me.
“Are you Brogan Six?”
“Hey,” I say to her. “Have we met?”
“Definitely not.”
Her smile falls.Welcome back, sexy glare.Her posture straightens, and she holds her head high as she regards me.
I extend a hand to her. “Nice to meet you. I’m Brogan. What’s your name?”
She eyes it, hesitating for a beat, but then slips her small palm into my much bigger one. Electricity zaps through me. I don’t knowif she feels it or not, but she pulls her hand back quickly like she’s been electrocuted.
“You’reBrogan Six?” she asks again.
It feels like a trap. Like whatever her reason is for asking, I don’t want to be him.
“I think so?” This chick has me sweating it. She has these big green eyes with long dark lashes that seem like they’re piercing into my soul…and she does not appear happy with what she sees inside.
“Lo…” The guy that was dancing with her earlier steps up behind her. “Are you okay?”
His expression is concerned as he keeps staring at her. When she doesn’t tear her gaze from me, he glances my way. It’s a quick, dismissive glance at first. Then he does a double take.
“Perfect,” she snaps finally, giving her friend—or maybe boyfriend, judging by the way he’s protectively standing with his body angled between us—a quick glance before she steps forward.
Her head tips back so she can hold my gaze. She’s at least a foot shorter than me, but she doesn’t seem intimidated in the least. I let my stare roam over her body now that she’s close. She’s even more gorgeous than I thought. Long, dark hair that flows down past her shoulders. Her curves are accentuated by the tight black dress she’s wearing and those curves are kicking. But her eyes are what hold me captive. The green is so distinct, so bright.
There are hot women all over this club, but she’s…I don’t know. I can’t even think thoughts right now.
“Can I buy you a drink?” I ask because I have no clue what’s going on, but I need one of those shots I just gave away to clear my head.
“No, thanks.” Her expression hardens. “Did you used to have aPO Box on Market Street? Number 148?”
Wait, what?
“Yeah.” The word leaves my lips slowly as I ponder this turn in conversation. “How did you know that?”
The guy mutters something that sounds a lot like, “Oh shit.”
“Because it’smybox number now.”
“No way.” I smile, but when she doesn’t reciprocate, I reconsider. I guess that’s not a happy coincidence.
“Leaving aside the fact that you didn’t have the decency to forward your mail, do you have any idea the kind of packages I have to sift through every day?” The horrified look on her face makes me wince.
I finally see where this is going, and yeah…it doesn’t make me look great.
“Can I buy you a drink? We can go somewhere to talk.” I half turn toward the bar. I definitely need a shot. Three or four in fact.
“I’ll take a vodka and soda,” the guy says.
She scoffs at him and elbows him in the side.
