Page 51 of Mr. Hook-up

“For starters, there’s bear spray. You don’t go camping without it. It’ll deter the bear if it’s used correctly, and in most cases, they’ll back off.” I took a long drink. “As for the peeing, that’s definitely a little trickier for women, but I’ve dug some pretty elaborate holes for Belle—that’s Holden’s daughter—and she’s managed just fine.”

“You take her camping?”

“We take her everywhere.”

“Oh yeah?” She glanced at her left and then her right. “I bet she’s quite the woman magnet at the bar.”

“Well, mostly everywhere,” I corrected. “But she’s always a crowd-pleaser.” I reached into my pocket to take out my phone, tapping the screen to pull up my photos. I enlarged the one I’d taken on our recent ice cream date and handed her my cell.

“Look at her little purple glasses and those curls and the dimple in just her one cheek.” She gave the phone back. “Okay, I’m officially melting, she’s the most precious little girl I’ve ever seen.” She paused. “And I love that you’re the proud uncle.”

I hadn’t called Belle my niece out loud—Drake had come up with that on her own.

She was listening.

Processing.

Fuck, I liked that.

She took a few sips of wine and said, “I’m curious. Do you see me as the bougie type?”

“No.” I crossed my legs. “I think you’re the type of woman who would be down for trying anything once, especially if it involves a challenge, like camping. I don’t see you being competitive with other people. Rather, I see you as someone who competes with herself.”

She turned her head, looking at me now from the corner of her eye. “Interesting.”

“You’re a leader when it comes to your professional life, Drake, but in your personal time you’re more of a go-with-the-flow type. Someone who would prefer showing up than making the plans ... as long as it involves a bathroom and running water.”

Her laugh was even lighter this time. “It’s fascinating to hear your take on me when you’ve only known me for two weeks.”

I held the glass near my lips, staring at her, taking her in. “I don’t know why, but it feels like I’ve known you for much longer than that.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Drake

Since the bar was too loud to have this conversation, I carried my phone outside, holding it to my ear while I waited for Saara to pick up. “Don’t kill me,” I said once she answered.

“You’re not going to make it, are you?”

Two hours ago, when I’d first arrived here, she’d texted that she had returned early from her business trip and wanted to have me over for dinner. I’d agreed, never thinking I’d spend more than a couple of hours at the bar. But after some wine and lots of conversation, I wasn’t ready to leave.

“I’m so sorry, Saara.”

“Don’t be, babe. You’re bonding with your coworkers, and that’s exactly what I want to happen. We’ll meet up tomorrow night, it’s no biggie at all.”

I could envision the warmth on her face as she said that, her sapphire eyes staring back at me, the flash of her hot-pink nails before she grabbed my hand to squeeze it.

“Thank you for being the bestest.”

She laughed. “Someone’s on her third glass of wine.”

I pushed my back against the exterior of the building, relieved to hear she wasn’t upset. “You can tell?”

“I know you better than you know yourself. So, yes, I can tell, and also, keep drinking and have as much fun as possible. And, girl, that’s an order.”

I bent my knee, pressing my heel against the wall. “But getting slurry with my coworkers on our first outing is not an option. I’m done after this glass.”

“I’m sure they’re feeling as tipsy as you, so don’t feel bad about it. Keep chugging.”

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