Page 85 of Fighting Chance

KIERAN

fine I’ll just go and read your book reviews and find it

LAYLA

HOW THE HELL DID YOUFIND THEM?????

HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM?????

KIERAN

hot stalker, remember? ;)

The bartender places the mocktails Bella and I ordered down on our table while dropping the fruity alcoholic one in front of Cindy. By her slight sway and wobbly smile, she’s two sheets to the wind.

Bella bites her lip to stop from laughing while I chuckle behind my glass.

“What?” Cindy pouts.

“We tried to warn you,” Bella all but sings.

Cindy points an incredulous finger between us. “I’m not that drunk.”

I can’t help but snort. “Sure, and I’m not a redhead.”

Bella fails at containing her laughter this time.

Cindy narrows her eyes at me. “How’s Kieran doing, Layla?”

My giggle dies as Bella glances at me. “Deflection, I love it! Do tell, how is he?”

Placing my mocktail down, I shrug. “He’s fine, just a few bruises?—”

“That he’s getting you to ice personally?” Cindy asks, wiggling her brows.

“No!”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Did hetryto get you to ice it, though?”

My lips part, my words dying on my tongue. Cindy claps her hands before throwing them up in celebration. “I knew it! That man is smitten, no other way to put it.”

Groaning, I put my head in my hands. “Girls, how many times do we have to go over this?”

“Until you realize he likes you,” Bella whispers into my side.

Straightening, I look at them and say with utter conviction, “He doesn’t like me.”

Bella snorts. “I know you don’t believe that.”

Come on.I’mthisclose to ordering some of the drinks Cindy has been drinking and saying screw it, but I don’t want to mess with my medication and deal with the side-effects. I’d be far too anxious later.

Cindy eyes me before smirking. “Okay, if he doesn’t like you and you don’t feel anything for him, then you’ll have no problem flirting with the guy who’s been making eyes at you all night.”

My jaw drops.