Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“Oh, aye, that sounds right up my street,” Shaun deadpanned.
I laughed as Maddie shoved him playfully.
Harry and Sebastian returned with the drinks. Sebastian placed a glass in front of me. “Mojito for the lady,” he drawled, as he searched my face.
I muttered my thanks.
“Why didn’t you invite Lily to our Hogmanay party?” Zac asked accusingly.
Sebastian shot him an annoyed look as he settled into his seat but then his expression softened on me. “I was planning to,” he assured me. “I just haven’t seen you in person in ages.”
“It’s okay.” I trusted he was telling the truth.
“Will you come?”
“I’ll need to see. I usually spend Hogmanay with my family.”
“I’d really love for you to be there.”
I smiled and promised, “Then I’ll really think about it.”
The next hour passed a bit less awkwardly, though I was glad for the physical distance from Sebastian because it meant we were engaged in discussion as a group rather than one on one. Maddie and I wanted to buy a round, so I sneakily pretended to go to the restroom and stopped at the bar on my way back. The good-looking bartender finished up with a customer and ignored those who’d been waiting so he could serve me. Despite the dirty looks and muttered complaints from the other customers, it made me feel good and I couldn’t help my grin as I ordered our drinks.
The bartender smiled at me as he mixed the mojitos. “Those dimples are lethal.”
Oh, be still my heart, he had an Irish accent.
Buzzed from two mojitos, I flirted back. “Lethal how?”
The bartender chuckled, his eyes twinkling with interest. “My heart skipped a beat at the sight of them. They provoked a literal heart palpitation.”
I part groaned, part laughed. “What a line!”
He laughed, setting another drink on the counter. He’d opened his mouth to say something when he glimpsed over my shoulder and his grin fell.
I’d know why when a warm, familiar hand settled on my lower back and Sebastian leaned in, pressed to my side. He shot the bartender a tight-lipped smile and then looked down at me, his hand smoothing up my back. “Need help with the drinks?”
“Sure.” I forced myself not to tense against his touch. He smelled so bloody good, I could bury my nose in his throat and live there. Or just stare at his stupidly too handsome face. It was like staring into the sun. It burned to be this near him.
The bartender finished up the drinks without flirting. Sebastian handed over his card to pay before I could.
“Hey, the whole point was Maddie and I wanted to pay for one round.”
Sebastian shrugged. “Sorry. You can pay for the next round.”
I grumbled under my breath, and he snickered. “You’re so fucking cute.”
“Don’t be patronizing.”
“I’m not trying to be. Unfortunately for you, you are adorable when you’re annoyed.”
I stuck my middle finger up at him.
“See? Adorable.”
The bartender returned with the card so I couldn’t respond. However, he said to Sebastian as his eyes darted between me and my companion, “You’re a very lucky man. Enjoy your night.”
I opened my mouth to deny what was insinuated: that I was here with Sebastian as his date, but my friend replied, “Thank you. I know.” Then he gestured for me to walk ahead of him.
Irritated, I stopped in the middle of the crowded bar. “Why did you make it seem like you were my date? And don’t call me adorable when I’m annoyed. It fucks me off.”
His eyes flared because I rarely cursed. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean anything by it. The adorable comment. I just find everything about you adorable.”
Aye, unfortunately. Not sexy or charismatic or alluring.
Adorable.
Like a kid sister.
Or a bunny rabbit.
“Well, the bartender found me hot, and he was hot, and you made it seem like you and I are together.”
Sebastian’s expression blanked and his tone flattened. “I can go back and let him know we’re not.”
“No. Never mind. Just … never mind.” I didn’t want to argue with him or even think about our relationship right now. I just wanted a nice night with my friends.
Returning to the table, I stupidly downed my drink, and it went straight to my head. The next couple of hours were a blur. As soon as I realized I was hitting the “very drunk” stage, I switched to water. After a few glasses, I sobered up a bit. I noted Sebastian switched to soda, even though I was trying not to pay too much attention to him.
When the evening ended, coats on, we huddled outside on George Street. Trees and buildings were lit up with Christmas lights and it was a frosty winter night. I sucked in a breath of crisp air, listening to the hoots and laughter of drunk partygoers wandering up and down the wide street. The nippy fresh air helped me sober up even more.