AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Funny, I don’t know you either.” He grinned and said, “What do you say we get to know each other?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Their drinks arrived and they toasted. “To new friends,” Nathan said and they both drank. “So, Laurel Lewis, do you live here? Or are you just passing through?”
“I live here. How about you?”
“I do. But I haven’t lived here very long. A few weeks is all.”
They talked and flirted and drank and before long Laurel had gone a fair way to forgetting her troubles.
“Is this a private party or can I join you?”
Laurel turned her head to look at Zack. He really is delicious. “Zack! When did you get here?” She turned back to Nathan. “Nathan, this is Zack. Zack, this is Nathan.” For some reason that struck her as funny and she started to giggle.
Nathan grinned. “Let me get you another drink.”
“Oh, I’ve still got some—” She reached for her glass and realized it was empty. “Huh. How did that happen?”
“Why don’t you let me take you home?” Zack asked.
“Why? I don’t want to go home. I’m having a good time.” He was frowning at her. “I’m not drunk, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Not drunk. But she was feeling no pain.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Zack, but get lost,” Nathan said. He signaled Kirk and pointed to Laurel’s glass.
“Does he know who you are? Or for that matter, do you know who he is?”
“Of course,” she managed to get out. “I’m Laurel and this is Nathan. Really, Zack, I introduced you two just a few minutes ago.”
Zack wasn’t paying any attention to her but was looking at Nathan. “Nathan works with Travis. He’s one of the new copilots.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.” She giggled again. “Thank you,” she told Kirk as he set another margarita in front of her.
Zack frowned, watching her drink. “Don’t you need to get home to your kids?”
“Nope. Tonight I’m childless. No kids, no job, no poor Laurel.” She toasted herself. “Tonight I’m fun Laurel.”
“Zack, beat it,” Nathan said and put his arm around Laurel.
“Yes, go away, Zack,” Laurel told him, laughing as his expression grew more thunderous. “Why are you hassling me? You act like you’re one of my brothers.”
“I’m not your brother, thank God. But Travis is,” he said to Nathan.
Nathan set down his drink. “Her last name is Lewis.”
“But I’m divorced,” she announced. “Thank you, Jesus.”
“Her maiden name is Sullivan,” Zack said.
“Shit. She’s Travis and Harlan’s sister?”
“Their younger sister.”
“Crap.” He finished his drink and said, “Laurel, it was really nice meeting you but I’ve got to go.”
“You’re leaving?” Something had just happened but she couldn’t quite figure out what. “Why?”
“I value my life. Tell you what, Zack, since you’re the bearer of bad tidings, you get the check. Damn.” He shook his head and left.
