I throw on my favorite black silk tank top with my black leather skirt that zips up the front. I fasten my black pumps onto my feet and clasp my black choker around my neck. After grabbing my white blazer and black clutch, I’m out the door.
Cara and Dani are waiting for me in the restaurant at one of the first tables by the door. This is my favorite place to brunch because, come on, the name is Bottomless, referring to my favorite state of dress as well as the way I like my mimosas. Unfortunately, they only reference the mimosas in their name, but I like it nonetheless.
The restaurant is in the middle of downtown and always packed, between the ideal location as well as the excellent food and décor. It’s very chic and modern; everything is white-washed with live plants for a pop of color throughout the place, both indoors and outdoors. There’s a white brick fireplace in one corner adding to the charm. Booths line each side of the establishment with separate tables scattered throughout. The restaurant is shaped like an L, wrapping around the back with more private seating.
As soon as I open the glass doors, Dani whistles from her seat. “Didn’t know this was fucking fashion week. I might’ve worn something a little more impressive if I knew you were gonna show up like that.” She runs a hand through her shoulder-length brown hair.
I roll my eyes as I take my seat in the chair beside Dani. I make sure I’m facing the door in case my hot therapist happens to walk by the place.
“So, why did you drag us all the way downtown? Oh! Did you stay at Damon’s last night? Are you two back together?” Dani has been dying for Damon and me to reconnect so we can double date.
“Nah, he’s not worth my time or worthy of my pussy.” That shuts them both up. “I’m kinda stalking Liam.”
“You’ve graduated to stalking now?” Dani says at the same time Cara asks, “You mean your therapist?”
“Stop judging me, both of you.” Our waitress comes by and places three mimosas in front of us. We didn’t order them, but they’re basically the entire point of this brunch bar. No one comes here without ordering the bottomless breakfast booze. Plus, we’re here all the time and she knows us.
We place our usual orders, avocado toast for Cara, acai bowl for me, and a blueberry muffin for Dani. The waitress scurries off while my besties scrutinize me. I take a long sip of my drink, but neither one of them breaks the stare.
“What do you want me to say? I saw him at the club last night and things got…heated.”
“I thought you were with Damon the whole time?” Dani asks with crinkled brows.
“No, I went to the bathroom, and truthfully, I thought he was going to follow me back there. I expected him to and I was lit enough to let it happen. But instead, I got yanked into the men’s room by Liam, not Damon.”
“Oh my God, so you fucked Liam last night and went home with Damon?” Cara isn’t usually one to slut shame me, but I don’t like her tone today.
“Fuck you, Cara. No, I didn’t fuck either of them, thank you very much. Liam was a tease and Damon’s a bore. But I know my Hot Doc wants me as much as I want him, so I’m here for a little recon. He lives in the apartment building down the block. I’m hoping to accidentally run into him.”
Our food comes and we discuss what I’ll do if I don’t see him today. I have options, but I’m praying to the God above that I see him so I don’t have to resort to drastic measures. As if this isn’t drastic enough.
I take a bite of blueberry and banana as the door opens.
Lo and behold, it appears there really is a God.
I try my best not to choke and draw attention to myself as Liam himself walks into the restaurant still wearing his aviators. He doesn’t spot me and walks right up to the waitress who openly flirts with him. Because we’re so close to the entrance, I hear him tell her he’s meeting somebody.
My heart does a somersault in my chest before picking up and hammering against my ribs in overtime.
The classless tart leads him to a table near the back and toward the L. I hope she doesn’t take him too far, and I’m in luck. If I turn my head to the left, he’s still in my line of sight. He’s escorted to a table near the back and sits down across from a skinny blonde.
“He’s on a date!” My screech might clear out the restaurant and I slouch in my chair to avoid further attention.
“Who? What are you talking about?” I don’t respond and continue to stare, watching his every move. “Flynn, move your fucking hand, you’re hurting me.”
I snap out of it and look down. Sure enough, I gripped onto Dani’s arm when my eye candy walked in.
“Sorry. Liam’s here.”
“Yeah, we kinda figured.”
I hiss a string of curse words as I watch Liam pull off his sunglasses and take her in. The people sitting around my table turn and stare at me, but I ignore them. I don’t owe them an explanation, but Liam sure as shit owes me one.
“Flynn, come on. Who cares if he’s seeing someone else? Since when do you want anything to do with exclusivity? It’s not like you can date him anyway. Move on,” Cara urges, her tone unusually gentle. I raise a brow as I glance at her, and she shrugs before biting into her toast.
“He is cute though. I mean, it’s no wonder
