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“Hey, get over yourself. That bottom-feeder is deranged. He could have grabbed any woman.”
“You saying I’m so ugly, the blind loser didn’t care how good I look?”
“Christ, no… and don’t put words in my mouth.” He pointed at her, his expression coming across as weirdly genuine. Then she heard his low spoken words. “You’re beautiful.”
Stunned by the stark statement that sounded like it had been reluctantly pulled from him, she narrowed her gaze and took stock. Did he look away from shyness? He seemed truly upset.
That he cared whether she’d been hurt earlier didn’t ring true, yet her soft heart questioned his weird reserve. Not knowing how to deal with this behavior, she acted out in a way foreign to her nature.
Usually, she was the girl everyone deemed to be the pleasant, friendly type who liked everyone to get along. But right this moment, not only did she wanna punch the guy’s lights out for his earlier uncaring attitude, but she also wished she could just lay her head on his chest and admit to her panic.
Anyone who knew her would understand that she didn’t put up with being pawed or disrespected in any way. The fact that such a shit-faced dope had treated her so badly hurt her pride. Wishing she could have the moment back to save herself – and not have had to rely on this hero – ate at her temper. Grudgingly, she admitted her bad behavior was all about her and had nothing to do with him. Deciding to give him a break, her good intentions kicked in. Until she saw the way he looked at the other girls ogling him from the end of the bar.
“Look, I’m fine. And I don’t intend to sue so you can take your fake sympathy and shove… ahh, leave.”
“Hey, no need to be nasty.” Luke held up his hands and stepped back. “I’m sorry you’re upset. I could say I was only trying to help but you should know that without me having to tell you. Look, I get it. You’re one of those independent types who doesn’t want to be beholden to a mere male. Sorry to have bothered you.”
Luke got two steps away before she called out, “Don’t be silly. You’re making me sound like a termagant and that’s so not true.”
Luke hesitated before turning back. “A what?”
“A tyrant.”
“Oh, you mean a man hater.”
“No. And that’s not what I said. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
Again Luke put up his hands as if surrendering. This time she saw a smile plying around his cheeks and noticed the dimples under his two-day beard. An emotion inside her reared up and that made her angrier. There’s no way she wanted to feel any kind of attraction for a guy so far out of her league. A man who made his living in a band and hung out with all those types wasn’t a good match for a serious schoolteacher whose main goal in life was to help others.
“Your band is waiting for you. They keep looking this way.” The hint couldn’t have been clearer.
Luke’s mouth thinned. He lowered his head. Then a side look caught her unprepared and let her see his disappointment before it disappeared, and a fake grin covered his earlier expression.
“You’re right, princess. See you around.”
“Not if I see you first.”
What?
Where the hell did that phrase come from? Jesus, it was something she used to say with her sister when they’d tease each other.
When he stopped and turned, his eyes narrowed at her shocked expression of pain.
Chapter Nine
“Melanie, I’ve had enough. Can we please go now?”
“Sorry, Honey, for leaving you alone so much. Jess and I were having fun dancing, and I forgot the time.”
“It’s almost two in the morning. And I’ve drank myself sober. Look, if you want to hang out longer, I’ll grab a cab. But I’m done.”
“Would you really be mad at me if I stayed? Now that the band is switching, Jess says he’ll buy me a snack and we’ll finally be able to talk.”
“Yeah. No, stay. He seems really cool, Mel. I like him. Just call me tomorrow.”
Honey slung her purse over her neck and got it caught in her hair, making it come loose from the combs. Shoving the curls behind her back, she pushed the rest of the money still in front of her towards Mel. “Have a coffee on me. Bye now.”
She stepped down from the bar stool and ignoring the partiers, she headed toward the door. Since Broadway never slept, she was surrounded with street walkers of all ages and honky-tonk sounds coming from every direction. Glowing neon signs lit her way, featuring eateries and restaurants advertising all kinds of food as well as the taverns that never stopped. Many vacationers were feeling no pain while others in groups were entertained by the atmosphere of fun.
