Page 4 of Forever Flirting

“Hey, baby… can I get you a drink?” Some guy said to Angelique – who completely abandoned her. The woman shrugged her shoulders, linked arms with the man, and turned to mouth ‘sorry’to Everly… who waved her off immediately.

She was getting awfully warm and could use some water.

“Renee, I’m going to get some water!” Everly hollered to the lone woman that was left in the group.

“I’m going to get some ofthatover there – the big, burly boy in red,” the woman hollered back, smiling at the man who was waving at her in the distance.

Everly laughed, nodded, and walked off to find a space at the bar to order a bottle of water. Spotting it, she squeezed in, only to feel someone bump up against her physically… and stayed.

“Sorry…” he said, putting his arm practically around her as he leaned close.

“Back off…” she immediately retorted and hesitated.

Whoever this was smelled absolutely divine. There was a cool, crisp scent to his cologne, with some sort of smoky undertones that were subtle.

“I’m Alex,” he said undeterred, still leaning forward, and trying to get the bartender’s attention.

“Everly,” she replied, distracted as she waved – and to her horror?

The bartender completely ignored her, helping the guy wedged up against her back trying to order instead. The very same man who’d bumped into her and smelled delicious.

“Hey buddy… what can I get you?”

“I need four shots of tequila, just line them up on the bar - and whatever this lovely young lady wants,” Alex said openly. “Everly?”

That surprised her.

She wasn’t expecting him to even remember her name, much less prompt the bartender to address her or take her order. That was actually awfully considerate of him, and she felt bad for a moment at being so cool towards him.

“Just a bottle of water.”

“And one bottle of water, please,” Alex repeated, and she could hear the smile in his voice… as she turned to look at her new, polite ‘friend’to say ‘Thank you’… only to hesitate as his eyes widened in surprise, mirroring hers.

“Wow…” Alex breathed, a smile lifting the corner of his lips in appreciation, doing dangerous things to her, as she stared at him – thinking much of the same.

Wow…is right!

The man beside her was in some sort of military uniform and looked devastating, as it clung to his frame spectacularly. His dark hair was slightly puffy on top, looking like he used a lot of mousse and a round vented brush to make it stand like that, reminding her of some preppy guy from an 80’s B-movie. His face was tanned and lean, with sculpted lips that instantly caught her eye as his own roved over her possessively.

“Thank you for the water,” she said breathlessly.

“Thank you for turning around and exploiting my only weakness,” he flirted, his voice soft and welcoming.

“And what’s that?” she chuckled, falling for the pick-up line immediately.

“Curvy women with big, brown eyes,” he smiled – only to glance up as the bartender reappeared, handing him a couple of bills. “Keep the change,” he instructed him, before handing Everly the bottle of water.

“Thank you again.”

“Do you come here often?”

“It’s my first time here.”

“Mine too,” Alex smiled. “I’m in town for just a couple of days before flying out, and thought I’d have fun.”

“Ah… hence the shots?” she said disapprovingly. “You don’t have to be drunk to have fun.”

“… With someone,“ Alex corrected, winking at her. “You didn’t finish that sentence, my lovely Everly.” He picked up one of the shot glasses and handed it to her, before downing one easily in a practiced move.

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