Page 36 of Bad Habit
“Go away, Oliver.” Her words are meant to bite me, but they only make me smirk at the fact that her date is already ruined. Because of me. At least I assume that’s why she seems so annoyed.
“How’s your date going?” I keep my voice calm even though my body is itching with the need to tell her to just let me take her home.
“Go away.” She repeats before leaning forward and I match her, leaving my forearms on the table.
“What drink did he order you?” I hold up my finger as I tease, “Hold please. Let me guess instead.” I pick up the menu pretending to read it. “Gin and tonic.”
The small sound that could only be described as a growling sigh leaves her throat as I put the menu back down and smile fully at her. I was right. “You are insufferable.” She grits out.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” She just glares at me instead of answering. “Why do you let them order for you? That doesn’t seem like you. To let a man make a decision for you.” I watch the surprise light her eyes before they darken again as she regains her composure.
“He will be back soon. Please leave.” She is working hard to not give me anything.
She tries to push a small section of hair out of her face, but it springs back forward. I love that. I’ve never seen a girl's hair match her personality so accurately. “Is he in accounting? I feel like he is.” I keep pushing.
She glares across the table at me. We’re at a standoff with me pushing and her pushing back, just staring, no words until she breaks. “Investment Banker. He comes in for coffee every morning.” She finally lets out in a rushed breath. “Will you leave now?” She keeps asking but I’m having too much fun.
“You didn’t wear pants.” I don’t break her eye contact. If I look down I will be too distracted by her legs to speak to her.
“I don’t like being told what to do.”
“Yet you won’t speak up and just order your favorite drink.” I point out. “All of your dates give off the same vibe actually. And they all bore you. What are you trying to prove?” She sits straighter, shoulders pinned back.
“Davey wasn’t in finance.” She argues.
“Davey can’t handle you.”
“And you can?” She cocks her head, thinking her words will land harshly.
“I have.” She quickly straightens back out.
“Let’s make a deal.” This could back fire, but a brilliant idea comes to me.
As expected, Mia perks up. She loves an opportunity to win. “Since you won’t tell me what drink he bought you… and I’m sure it isn’t what you actually want. If he ordered you the wrong drink, then you make plans to come to my house Saturday and we will start on one of those projects you keep harassing me with.” Her shoulders relax a little as I watch her consider what I said.
“You’re being serious?” Her eyes narrow in suspicion and I love that her red stained lips twitch with the want to smile.
“Absolutely.” I assure her.
“AJ said that you don’t like people in that house.”
“I’ll make an exception.” I see her date rounding the far corner and I lean in further so he can see me being close to her. “Make your decision fast.”
Her nose scrunches softly but her colorful eyes glimmer. “Deal.” I let my eyes drop to her lips before meeting her eyes again.
A throat clears but Mia being the girl that she is doesn’t even startle. She waits for me to lean back first. I pick up my glass before looking up at him. “Hey man.”
“I think you’re sitting in my seat.” He motions to where I still have not moved. I wet my bottom lip while I consider my next words.
“Just saying hi to one of my favorite girls.” I tilt my head to Mia. Even though my stare is still on him, I can see her shake her head out of the corner of my eye.
“One of?” He snorts. “Sounds about right.” He crosses his arms and heat travels up the back of my neck. What a pretentious dick.
I stand up. I tower over him by a good four inches and he breathes in to make his chest a little bigger. “Hey, pretty girl?” I speak to Mia, who is sitting behind where I’m standing.
“Hmm?” Her sweet voice travels as I smirk down at the asshole still glaring up at me.
“When you’re ready to go home, come find me.” I wink at him and make my way back to where my brothers have been waiting for me. I don’t have to look back to know that Mia is watching me walk away.
