Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 164828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
We walk out the door, and into the street, and he turns toward me. “Got anything you want to say to me?” he asks.
“Goodbye.” I smile.
I turn to walk down the street, and I close my eyes with pride.
I did it. I stuck to my guns.
* * *
The table all erupts into laughter, and I snort my drink up my nose. It’s been the best night. We had dinner and are now sitting around a large table in a busy cocktail bar.
There are twenty-seven of us in total–mostly people I work with and a few of their husbands. I’m going to miss these guys.
“Oh Lord, have fucking mercy.” Louise gasps. “Look at that fine specimen at the bar.”
We all glance over to see who’s she talking about, and my mouth drops open.
Nathan, my Nathan, is standing at the bar.
What the hell is he doing here?
“Holy shit, he’s ridiculous,” Annie says. “Do you reckon he’s a model or something?”
The girls all sit and stare at him with a running commentary on what he could do to them.
He’s standing against the bar with his elbows resting on it as he talks to the barman. He’s wearing black jeans that fit in all the right places, his tight ass firmly in view and a black shirt that shows off every inch of his broad shoulders. His strong forearms are bare and displaying his designer chunky silver watch. His hair is messed up to perfection and, God, the girls are completely right. He looks fucking hot.
“Actually, I know him,” I announce.
“What?” They all gasp.
“He’s my friend from San Fran. His name is Nathan.”
“What the hell?” Annie hits me on the leg. “Go… bring him to us!” she demands.
I giggle as I stand and go to the bar.
He turns toward me as I approach him, “Eliza.” His gaze drops to my toes and back up to my face. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
He sips his drink as his eyes dance with mischief. “Are you following me, Bennet?”
“I thought you went home.”
He licks his bottom lip as his eyes darken. “Change of plans.”
28
Eliza
“And what are they?” I ask.
He turns to the bar as the waiter approaches. “Two top shelf margaritas, please.”
“Sure thing,” the waiter replies and gets to work making our drinks.
“What’s the change of plans, Nathan?” I repeat.
“Well…” His brow furrows as he sips his drink. “Obviously, I’m still here.”
“I can see that. Your stalking knows no bounds.”
“It’s a necessary evil.”
“Why?”
“I’m working on something that I can’t really talk about yet.” He shrugs as he looks over at my table of friends. He gives them a smile and wave. I glance over to see them all watching us. Oh jeez, we have an audience.
I turn my attention back to him. “Why not?” I ask.
“It’s a work in progress. I haven’t had enough time to carry out the ground work yet.”
“Which is?”
“To become completely irresistible to you.” He smirks against his glass, and his eyes dance with mischief. “Although, it shouldn’t be hard.”
I struggle to keep a straight face. “Oh, really?”
“Why? Don’t you find me irresistible?”
“Not in the least,” I reply, deadpan.
He gives me a slow, sexy smile, “Well, there you go. My point proven.”
That’s a lie. He is completely irresistible and then some.
Stop it.
“So, when do I get to hear about this plan?” I ask.
“After you introduce me to your friends.”
“You know you’re not actually invited tonight.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
I shrug. “No.”
He smiles softly. “Good, because I don’t want to go.”
We stare at each other, and it’s there between us, the crackle in the air. That spark of possibility. An attraction I can’t deny.
“Come on,” he says, pulling me out of my little daydream. “Let’s go meet your colleagues.”
“You’re just my friend, remember?”
“How could I fucking forget? How long for, anyway?”
“Until I say so. With your track record . . .”
“Why does it matter now?”
“Because it does, that’s why. If you think I’m trusting you not to do that again on a whim, you are sadly mistaken.” I weave through the tables, leading the way until we get to my friends. “This is Nathan,” I introduce him. “We are friends from San Fran.”
“Hello.” He smiles at everyone.
“Take a seat,” I say.
He pulls out his chair and sits opposite me. “How is everyone?” He smiles at them.
They all break into chatter with him. A new hot guy at the table seems to be very exciting.
I sip my drink as I watch him. He’s being friendly and nice, answering all their questions and trying really hard to make conversation.
So un-Nathan-Mercer-like.
“So, what do you do, Nathan?” Annie asks.
“I’m a cardiologist,” he says.
I can almost see the girls’ eyes lighting up.
“And do you have a partner Nathan?” someone asks.
“Yes, I do. A beautiful girlfriend, very much in love.” He smiles.