Page 55 of Make You Mine

“You’re welcome,” he says.

“Are you not drinking?”

“I’ve had one beer. I need to drive.”

I nod. “Designated driver?”

“Supposed to be,” he says. “I’m not sure I’m taking any of these guys home, though.” He points at the back, where the rest of them are, Hannah in between them, laughing and drinking, except Joseph.

Joseph’s gone.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand still.

“I’m Lucien, by the way,” he says, bringing my focus back to him.

I drink half the Espresso Martini in one gulp. If Joseph is my stalker, he isn’t doing a very good job at it.

“Lucien,” I repeat. “Similar to Lucifer, the prince of darkness.”

God, I think I drank too fast. What am I saying?

“I’m Madelyn. You can call me Maddy. Or even Mads, if you prefer.”

“Wouldn’t that be offensive?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Given the fact I just called you the literal devil, I think we’re square.”

“You’ll be the first chick ever to willingly let me call her mad.”

We both laugh. Whether it’s my drunk or sober humor, he gets it, and I like that.

“Do you want another drink, Mads?”

I probably shouldn’t. I may end up in bed with this guy.

“Okay, only one more.”

“Another Espresso Martini?”

I nod. That drink was delicious.

“Be right back.”

I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but our interaction so far has been promising. Maybe I should allow myself to have a good time and not only think about revenge. Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight.

I smile and occupy myself with my phone instead of useless thoughts. Lucien seems like a decent guy.

Still no reply from the stalker, but it isn’t surprising. He talks when he wants to talk, not when I want him to.

After a couple of minutes, I lift my eyes to the bar. Lucien isn’t there, but he might have gone to the bathroom. Hannah or the others aren’t there either.

I shoot Hannah a quick text to make sure she’s okay.

Madelyn:

You good? Did you leave with blondie?

Her reply comes quickly.