Page 10 of Trials of a One Night Stand
I nod. “It turns out the entire relationship was work-related. Unbeknownst to me.”
“Let me guess.” Nathaniel studies me. “The asshole claimed work you did as his own or stole a promotion or did both.”
“Man, you’re good.” I hold up three fingers. “He stole my promotion, which is the reason I’m in Seattle. Oops. No work talk.” I almost broke my own rule, so I take a sip of my drink.
“The guy is an asshole, but if all that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met you tonight.”
The words sound so sincere my heart thumps erratically. I try to regulate my breathing, but that only makes me breathe faster. “Thank you.”
I think. Suddenly feeling way too sober, I take another sip.
“Not all men are shit,” he says with a tone that makes me wonder how he thinks of himself. “At least I don’t think we are.” His words are self-deprecating but also sad.
Thinking about what he told the bartender makes me feel for the guy. I want to lighten the mood. “Are you speaking for all men?”
He half laughs. “No, but I know some good guys. Three were here with me earlier.”
“Huh?” I glance around. “Where’d they go?”
“To see their wives.” He takes another drink.
That sucks. “Not sure I’d say they’re good guys for leaving you here alone.”
“Thanks, but I’d rather be here with you.” He sounds genuine, and maybe we met to keep each other company, which reminds me… “So how come you and your ex got divorced?”
“Workaholics, both of us.” He doesn’t hesitate to answer and then sighs heavily. “We ended up working together, which was great at first, but then that’s pretty much all we became to each other—colleagues. She realized there might be more to life.”
“And you didn’t agree?” I watch him carefully, wondering if a lingering love remains even though he claims to be over her.
His headshake makes him appear more regretful than anything. “I did eventually, but by then, it was too late.” He laces his fingers with mine and pulls me closer. “Like I said, that’s in the past. She and I are better off as just friends.”
Our lips are inches away from each other’s, and his thighs are on either side of my legs. He smells of alcohol, and his eyes sparkle with all sorts of possibilities.
“Hey, Jayne.”
My cousin’s voice makes me straighten. Lottie comes up next to me, her ponytail bouncing, and hands me a pink bag with white handles tied with a whole bunch of ribbon and tulle. My goody bag remains unopened, though everyone else had rummaged through theirs immediately. “You forgot this.”
I take it from her, wishing she’d just left the stupid thing at the table. I really don’t need or want anything from it. “Thanks.”
“We’re heading out.” She glances at Nathaniel and then winks at me. “Do you want to come or stay here?”
“Up to you.” Nathaniel takes a sip of his drink.
“I’ll stay.” The words come out faster than they should.
Lottie laughs. “Okay. I can text you or drop a pin where we are.”
“Sounds good,” I say, knowing I’d rather pay a visit to my dentist than go wherever they’re going.
“I’m Lottie,” she says to Nathaniel. “You won’t leave my cousin on her own if she has too much to drink, will you?”
He flashes a charming smile. “I’ll see her safely to wherever she wants to go. You have my word.”
She glances at me with a questioning look. “I’ll be fine. I’m in good hands.”
“Hope so.” With that, Lottie joins the bachelorette party again.
Nathaniel laughs. “Looks like I did it.”
