Page 51 of Player For Hire
“Naomi?”
I turned my head toward his voice.
“Come to the bar tonight. I want to see you.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Good.” He grinned and disappeared into the bathroom.
I gathered my things and winced at the soreness of my body. I could use a shower myself. And that hot cross bun hadn’t been nearly filling enough. The shirt was nearly a dress on me, but it was obvious it was a men’s shirt.
As I let myself out, I smiled.
My first walk of shame.
Only I didn’t feel an ounce of shame about it. I was revved to start work on my book again.
I slipped inside my apartment and found Iona asleep on the couch with old episodes of The Office playing. Part of me wanted to wake her up, but I needed a little time to process what had just happened.
Alone.
I took my laptop from the coffee table and went into my bedroom.
Perhaps I’d leave Colder’s scent on me a little longer.
Maybe it would help me be brave and write some new words.
CHAPTER 15
COLDER
I kept glancing around to see if Naomi was coming through the door of Lonegan’s.
It was getting later in the evening, and I’d forgotten to get her number before rushing off to get ready for work.
“Yo! I need a keg.”
I waved to Danny, one of the bartenders I was working with that night, and sneaked into the back to the cooler where they were kept.
“What, you walk away without noticing me? Is our love over?”
I glanced over my shoulder and grinned. “Jackass. Who let you back here?”
Duncan Alexander, my best friend and all-around pain in the ass, leaned against the wall in the hallway outside of the cooler. “Susie.” He waggled his eyebrows as he straightened.
“She’s still sweet on you. Don’t let Cal see you.”
“He’ll just put me to work like he’s been threatening to do since you started here.”
I picked up a case of Heinekens and shoved it at him. “Speaking of. Make yourself useful.”
Duncan took the bottles. “I better get a beer out of the deal.”
“Don’t you always?”
“Sometimes I tip you.”
I went back in and threw a keg up on my shoulder. “Go.”