Page 77 of Smokey's Distraction
“Is she meeting you here?”
“No. How about that glass of wine?”
His eyes blazed with anger. “What’s your problem?”
“Excuse me?”
Without a word, he stormed off.What the hell’s up with him? He was the one who had an attitude toward me for no reason the last time I was here with Nicole. I don’t know what it is, but he rubs me the wrong way.
Returning with her wine, he set it in front of her, glaring.
“Thanks,” she murmured. “Listen, I’m sorry if I was snarky. I had a long day.”
He stared at her for several seconds. “Where’s your friend tonight?”
“Visiting a cousin in Steamboat Springs.”
“Are you from here?”
“No—Denver.”
“So you moved here?”
“Sort of.” She took a sip of her drink, then asked, “Could you tell Whitney I’m here?”
“I can’t leave the bar. And what do you mean by ‘sort of’?”
“I’m here on a temporary gig.” From the corner of her eye, she saw a customer trying to get Jared’s attention. Pointing to a tall man in jeans and a sports shirt, she said, “I think he wants you.”
“How long are you staying in town?” he asked, as if she hadn’t spoken.
“I don’t know.” His interrogation was making her uncomfortable, so she swung around on the stool, giving him her back.
“You’re not very friendly,” he gritted out..
She looked at him from over her shoulder. “And you are? I don’t like discussing my personal life with strangers. Nor do I like being grilled in an aggressive manner.”
“I was just making conversation.”
“Sir! I want to order a drink!” the customer called out.
Slapping the bar top, Jared turned and strode over to the patron.
Just then, Whitney came up beside her. “Sorry I’m late. I’ve been doing inventory and lost track of time.”
Ashley smiled, raising her glass. “That’s okay. It gave me an excuse to have a glass of wine.”
“Good. I’ll just grab my purse and we can head out.”
Finishing her wine, Ashley pulled a ten-dollar bill out of her purse, tossed it onto the bar, then quickly scurried over to the front door. The last thing she wanted was for Jared to start in on her again.I mean, who does that? He doesn’t even know me. Not only is he rude, he’s a jerk. There’s no way I’m coming back here with Nicole.
“I’m ready,” Whitney said.
Pushing the door open, they walked out into the warm spring evening.
* * *
Ashley waiteduntil Whitney turned off the porch light before driving away. Whitney had been right about the restaurant, because the food was delicious and worth every calorie. At first, Ashley had been worried that the two of them wouldn’t have that much in common, but that fear had quickly dissolved. They’d spent the entire meal talking and laughing, and had even made plans to meet up again next week.
