I spy a booth opening up down the back. Taking a deep breath, I push my way through the crowd, elbowing a few guys out the way, and slide in as my soles tingle with relief. Why did I wear heels? My feet are killing me after walking here at Cat’s breakneck pace.
A cute guy emerges from the crowd and his eyes swivel in my direction, his face breaking into a grin. I glance behind me to see who he’s grinning at, then I realize it’s me.
Oh.
“Hey,” he says, sliding into the booth next to me. He has messy, dirty-blond hair, brown eyes, and a very cheeky smile. I’m instantly drawn to him, but that sets my internal alarm bells off. The last man I was drawn to dumped me in a parking lot on my birthday.
“Uh, hi.”
“I’m Cory.” He extends his hand and I shake it.
“Alex. Nice to meet you.”
He cocks his head as I speak. “Where are you from?”
“New Zealand.” There’s a glimmer of pride in my chest as I say that. I might feel like a dork with my accent, but I know New Zealand as a country holds up pretty well overseas, what with the gorgeous scenery and Peter Jackson and the All Blacks and everything.
“That’s awesome,” he says, and I swoon at his deep American accent. I’m a sucker for it, actually. I don’t know how I’m not going to jump into bed with every American man that pays me attention. Maybe moving here was a terrible idea.
I run my eyes over him. He’s tall and in good shape—I can see that through his fitted T-shirt. I’m pretty sure he’s flirting with me, with that look in his eye, and I’m not going to lie—I could use a little boost right now.
Look, I’m not hideous, I know that. I’ve got caramel-brown shoulder-length hair that has a natural wave to it, hazel eyes, and a heart-shaped face with a peaches and cream complexion. I’ve been told many times that I’m pretty, even if I wish I was a bit skinnier. But I’m lucky in some ways, because I’m tallish—five foot seven—and I have an hourglass figure and carry my weight on my hips and bust. So while I’m not slim, I’ve mostly made my peace with my curves.
But, you know. Getting dumped has a way of making a girl feel a bit down on herself. And moving to this city hasn’t helped.
Cory grins, leaning closer, and I blush under his flirtatious gaze. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten this kind of attention and I’d forgotten how fun it is. And even though I know better, I lean closer too.
“Cory! Get away from her!” Cat appears at the table, clutching two drinks. “Is this where you’ve been? I had to wait at the bar for ages.” She scowls as she slides into the other side of the booth.
Oh. Shit.
Realization rolls over me and my face warms. I quickly slide away from him.
“This is my brother. I see you’ve already met,” Cat says, glaring at Cory.
“I didn’t know she was your friend,” he mumbles.
I laugh, raising my hands. “It’s okay. No harm done.” I lean closer to Cat, speaking under my breath. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I had no idea he was your brother.”
That was close. One minute I tell Cat I’m not interested in meeting anyone, the next I’m nearly shacking up with her brother. I need to get a grip.
“It’s okay. He can’t help himself.” She throws Cory a look of exasperation. “Don’t you have some work to do?”
He shrinks, sliding out of the booth. “I’ll catch you later, Alex.”
I give him a nod and reach for my wine, while Cat waves to someone across the bar.
“Hey, Geoff,” she says as a slightly pudgy, dark-haired guy joins our booth. “This is my new friend, Alex.”
He extends his hand and smiles warmly. He’s got a kind face and green eyes that sparkle behind his black-rimmed glasses, and I think I pick up a bit of a gay vibe but I can’t be sure. Either way, I immediately like him.
“You two get to know each other,” Cat says, pushing to her feet. “I’ll go get you a drink, Geoff.” She swivels towards the bar, and this time she heads straight for Cory.
Geoff turns to me with a smile. “So, how do you know Cat?”
“She’s friends with a friend of mine from back home. She rescued me today when I got stuck,” I say. I’m not sure I want to go around telling everyone what an idiot I was to get sucked in by an internet scam because I made a major life decision while blackout drunk.
He nods. “She’s good like that.”
“She didn’t seem very impressed when we met,” I confess. “Something about her ex ruining her day.”
“Yeah, Mark is a total dick.” Geoff raises his eyes to the ceiling. “He makes her life a nightmare. But it’s okay, because she’s going to meet Mr. Right soon.”
“Oh?”
“She’s on a dating kick. Didn’t date much for a couple years after her divorce, but now she’s ready to meet someone new.”
I give him a puzzled look. “That’s weird. Earlier she said men are the worst.”
“Oh, they are. Just last week I had a drink with a guy who wanted me to go home with him after he called me fat.” Geoff laughs bitterly. “The dating scene here is rough. Cat’s met loads of guys but, you know, you
