Page 2 of Clueless
“Oh, there is. But you can only be around so many lovey-dovey people before you want to gouge your eyes out.”
The man whistles. “Harsh.”
“But truthful. I love both of my brother’s partners. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve just been in an odd place lately, I guess.”
Steven comes back then, setting the drinks on the bar top. His voice is deep and masculine as he speaks, pausing our conversation. “Order up, Boss. Should I head out?”
I swivel my head to the man next to me, shocked. He nods to Steven. “Yeah, man. Be safe. Lock up behind you, if you don’t mind.”
Steven nods before leaving the bar area entirely, but my gaze is still on the man next to me. He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am?”
“You own this place?”
“I do.”
“Wha…but…” I pause. “Huh?”
He laughs again before nodding to the drink in front of me. “You sure you can handle drinking another one?”
My face immediately drops as I grab it.Prick.“I’m fine, thank you. You’re just an enigma; I don’t know how to read you.”
As I go to take a sip of my drink, I’m frozen solid when he leans down and whispers in my ear. His beard tickles my exposed skin, forcing goose bumps across my flesh instantly. “Such a fancy word for such a little girl.”
Fuck. Me.
I know without a doubt in my mind that any other girl would have thrown her drink in his face andstormed out. And yet…I think I need to change my panties.
I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. It doesn’t work, but I happen to be a very good bullshitter. “What’s your name?”
“Sean.”
“Alright, Sean,” I say. “Why are you really letting me stay in your bar?”
“Do you want the truthful answer or the bullshit answer?”
I pin him with a stare as my answer to that question.
He smirks as he sips his drink. “You looked lonely and miserable, and misery loves company.”
I blink.Ouch.
That’s what I get for wanting the truth.
He speaks again. “Like I said, little girl—misery loves company. I had a rough day, too. Don’t read into it more than you should.”
Like a puppet on strings, my overthinking zips away in an instant.
Fucking daddy issues.
I hate it here.
I take a big sip of my drink as I ask my next question. “Why was your day miserable?” Sean looks like he’s weighing his options, and I say my next thought before he can bullshit me. “Let’s make a deal. We saythe complete and utter truth whenever we’re talking to each other.”
That makes him pause. “What happens if we don’t?”
I giggle. “We punish the other.”
His eyebrows rise, and it’s only then I notice the gray hairs coming in at his temples. The sight makes me swallow roughly, and I turn back toward my drink.I am definitely starting to feel the alcohol.
