Page 42 of No One Wants That (Blitzen Bay)

KIT

“I was starting to think you weren’t going to join me.”

Butch finally walks over to the table where I’m sitting. He’s holding a beer and a glass of wine.

“I don’t believe that for a second. I’m guessing you don’t have much of a problem getting guys to follow you anywhere you want to go.”

I smile and point at the wine. “Is that for me?”

“I’m sure the hell not going to drink it,” he says, sitting down in the chair across from me. “Gabi said you were drinking that kind. I forgot what she called it.”

“Sauvignon Blanc.”

“Yeah, that’s it. What does that mean in English?”

“It means it doesn’t make me as hungover as red wine.” I drain my glass and start in on the one he brought me. “So are you going to answer my question or not?”

He tilts his head back and forth to crack his neck causing the muscles in his shoulders to pop out. Just that small movement makes my body start quivering.

“Are you cold again? I’d give you this t-shirt, but I don’t think anyone wants me sitting in here bare chested.” He reaches for my hands and squeezes them. “Apparently, I’m going to have to start carrying a blanket with me wherever I go.”

I look around the room quickly. I can’t believe the other patrons aren’t annoyed by how loud my heart’s beating right now. I can barely hear myself think.

“Answer my question,” I say way too loudly.

“Damn. You don’t have to yell. Which question?”

“You know which one,” I say, lowering my voice. “The girlfriend one. Or maybe you’re married?”

He looks at me from underneath the brim of his cap. “I’ve been married and divorced twice. And I’m not dating anyone right now.”

“Right now?” My voice is too loud again. I adjust it. “Did you just get out of a relationship?”

“Did you?” He’s grinning at me like he already knows the answer.

“So you’ve been divorced twice?” I say, crossing my arms as I lean back in my chair. “What did they do wrong?”

“Who?”

“Your ex-wives.”

“Oh,” he says, pulling a toothpick out of his t-shirt pocket. He thinks for a second as he starts gnawing on it. “Honestly, they didn’t do a damn thing wrong. Every bit of those divorces is on me.”

“Huh,” I say, trying hard to concentrate on our conversation as I watch the toothpick roll around in his mouth. I’m more than a little jealous of it. “So are you an asshole to live with or what?”

“I was then.” He starts gnawing the toothpick more aggressively. “I’m not sure if I am now. I haven’t lived with someone for so long.”

I quickly wipe a bead of sweat from my brow before it rolls down my face. “Why were you an asshole back then?”

He gives me a stern look. “I’ve talked plenty about myself. Tell me something about you.”

“Okay,” I say, crossing my arms more tightly over my chest. “I like talking about myself. What do you want to know?”

“How about we start with your relationship status? Are you dating anyone?”

“Nope.”

“Wow,” he says, nodding. “Okay. Lightning-fast answer. You want to expand on that?”

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