Page 23 of 1 Last Shot

He nods, smile still comfortably in place. "Can I ask what we're celebrating anyway?"

I hesitate before deciding to answer. "I got a new job this week."

The guy's eyes light up with real happiness. "Congratulations! What's the job?"

"Yoga teacher," I answer with a proud smile.

His eyes dart the length of my body, so quick I almost don’t notice it, before he says, "That's really cool. Seriously, congrats."

"Thank you."

He pauses to weigh my interest, but after a moment, decides to keep pushing the conversation, his attention now solely focused on me. I see Hailey bite off a smirk out of the corner of my eye.

“So yoga, huh?” he asks, leaning one forearm on the table in that typical casually attractive pose that men like. “That’s sexy. How’d you get into that?”

I bite my lower lip in thought, then promptly take another sip of my drink. I’m very muchnotlooking for a boyfriend right now, or even a hookup, so I need to tread carefully—especially because my experience with interested men is fairly limited, since for a lot of years I barely had enough time to sleep, let alone date. I did have a boyfriend for my first year at the NYC Ballet, but even that was only possible because he was a fellow dancer. And the only reason it started was because I was a nineteen-year-old girl that was curious about relationships.

I’m flying a little blind as far as expectations, but I’m not so naive that I don’t realize my natural politeness might be interpreted as flirting back.

I decide on a neutral, “It was just something I picked up as a random hobby that happened to stick.”

He doesn’t seem deterred. “And yet you became good enough that it’s now your job. That’s impressive. I’ve always wanted to try a hot yoga class.”

My smile becomes a little bit forced. “You should.”

But before I need to start gently cutting the conversation off, I spot someone in my peripheral. I turn my attention in that direction and sure enough, Kane is standing at the bar.

He's already looking at me when my gaze settles on him. He's leaning against the bar top with a glass of clear liquid in his hand, looking just as hard as he always does. And with dark washed jeans and a tight black T-shirt that puts a lot of his ink on display, the combination is making him look ridiculously hot.

He lifts his glass to his lips to take a sip, his eyes never leaving mine. It isn't until he lowers the glass and sends the guy in front of me a judgmental look that our eye contact breaks. His lip visibly curls in disgust.

I raise an eyebrow at the look. Then, deciding to call him out on it, I call out, "Hey, Kane. Want to join us?"

There's a flash of surprise on his face, then he's back to looking like he just sucked down a glass of vinegar. Almost immediately, he turns his back on me to face the bar.

"Who is that?" the guy at our table asks. Both he and Hailey have turned to see what’s caught my attention.

I take a sip of my beer, realizing the tequila buzz is starting to hit me. My skin feels warm, and I think I feel a little fearless.

"My neighbor," I respond.

Thatcatches Hailey's attention. Her head snaps toward me and her mouth pops open. But before she can question me about it, her phone rings in her hand.

She glances at the screen before giving me a guilty look. "It's my sister," she says by way of explanation. "I'm sorry, I have to take this. I've been playing phone tag with her about something all day today." She glances at the guy at our table before meeting my eyes again. "You okay?"

I wave her off. "Go. I'm fine here."

She nods and answers the call, already walking out of the bar.

I turn back to the guy, fully intending to ditch him for Kane, but I’m saved from having to think up a polite excuse when his friends take that moment to wave him back to their group.

The guy gives them a nod before turning back to me. His look is hopeful, and even with my limited experience, I can guess what he's about to say.

“Want to join our group? It’s my boy’s birthday so I don’t want to ditch him, but I’d like to keep talking to you, maybe buy you a drink when you’re ready. Your friend is obviously welcome to join us, too,” he hurries to add.

I give him a polite smile. "Not tonight, but thank you. I'm just going to hang out with my friend."

He nods, as if he already expected the answer. "Alright, well it was nice meeting you. Have a good rest of your night."

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