AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This would be a lot easier if you didn’t put up a fight, it’s obvious you want me, freckles.”
A laugh bursts out of me at his determination and I shake my head, even though he is right. “The only thing I want is for you to put a top on…if you own one.”
His laugh is genuine and he makes a silly show of flexing his muscles.
“You’re an idiot.” I laugh and slip through the door, putting an end to our little exchange.
By the time I arrive at the pub in the afternoon, it’s already packed. Leaning against the bar, I ask a frazzled looking Kylie what she needs.
“Could you take the Coronas to table twelve and the sparkling water and wine to table eighteen, please? You’re a godsend, Rosie!” The relief in her voice makes me wish I’d come in earlier. Nothing is worse than being short-staffed when the place is jam-packed.
Armed with the tray full of drinks, I make my way through the room to the first table and drop off their order. As I round the bar to table eighteen, I freeze. Brody is sitting with a woman, laughing and having a great time. I can feel the heat rushing to my cheeks, mortification at thinking he may actually be different.
Letting out a breath, I push through it as my empty hand clenches at my side. The guy had the nerve to flirt with me this morning, and now he’s on a date? This is why I hate players. My embarrassment quickly morphs into anger.
Plastering a fake smile onto my face, I sidle up to their table, serving their drinks.
“One sparkling water and lime for you, and a wine and some advice for you. Don’t waste your time with this one, as soon as he sees something else shiny, he’ll be gone.”
With those parting words, I scowl at the man in question, who has the audacity to look amused, and I offer a soft smile to the innocent woman who clearly has no idea what she’s getting into. I then spin on my heel and go to the next table over where someone’s wanting to order some more drinks.
While scribbling their order, I can’t help but overhear the woman from Brody’s table chastising him. Good for her.
“Christ Brody, what are you doing? You’ve only been here a couple of days and you’ve already pissed a woman off. What happened to laying low?”
“I didn’t do anything, I just asked her for coffee,” he attempts to defend himself and I can hear the laughter in his voice.
“You don’t even like coffee!” his female companion reminds him, and his throaty chuckle follows.
“I know, but she does.”
Chapter Six
Girls’ night lands me at Brooks’s favorite gelato place by the lake. The evening is balmy enough that we sit by the water watching the boats while eating our desserts. For a four-year-old, Brooks doesn’t make terrible conversation.
“Does that happen in real life?” he asks, handing me back my phone after he crashes out of the racing game in a ball of flames.
“Well…” Unsure whether the truth is too much, I opt for a censored reply. “Not really.”
“Would you die if it did?”
“Whoa, bud…” I push to my feet, playfully pulling him to his too as I check the time to find that it’s almost seven-thirty, and Maggie said the girls’ movie would be done by seven. “Look at that, it’s time to head home.”
Hoping that my deviation from his question will work, I clean up his face and make a game out of throwing the napkins into the trash can from a couple feet away. Thankfully, it works, and the few tries he takes have him in a fit of giggles when I tease him about it, only to make a point of missing my shot too.
“Can we have man time again tomorrow?”
“Sure, how about I take you dune bashing after the girls go to Summer Club?”
“What’s that?” He looks up at me in confusion, taking my hand when we reach the roadside.
“We’ll rent a beach buggy and then we’ll go racing.”
“Yes! I want to do that! Can I get my own buggy?” Expectant eyes widen with excitement. “Pleeeeease?”
“Sorry, bud, no can do.”
“Oh.” The curt disappointment is cutting as he sulks while we cross the road.
