Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate #1)(49)

"Great. I'm just getting off my shift, and it’s been one hell of a day. Avery had an even worse day than I did, so I told her I would have a drink with her. Plus, she's been wanting to meet some people from around this area anyway." Avery smiles at me, mouthing that she is going to the bathroom to change before we leave, and I nod.

The line goes silent and for a second I wonder if the call was dropped, but then Levi starts talking again. "Ummm...are you sure that's a good idea?" he asks quietly, as though he's trying to avoid anyone overhearing him.

What the hell? "Why wouldn't it be a good idea? We're just friends. We work together, and she had a shitty day and asked if I'd go have a drink with her. Is that not okay?" I ask sharply.

"Yeah, you're right. It’s fine," he sighs.

"Okay. Good. You're really going to like her. We'll see you soon."

"Alright, man, see you soon," he says, ending the call. Slipping my phone in my pocket, I can't help but feel like something is off. I'm not sure what it is, but I have this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that something unpleasant is about to happen.

"Are we all set? Is your friend at his bar?" Avery asks, pulling her bag up over her shoulder.

"All set." Reaching out, I open the door for her, shoving the uneasy feeling away, intent on getting Avery's mind off of what happened today. One drink, that’s it. Then, I'm getting a good night’s sleep and tomorrow I'm going to talk to Harley.

We decide to leave our cars and walk since it's only a couple of blocks. It's beautiful out this time of year. There's a light, cool breeze and I take a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air and being away from the hospital and this shitty-ass day.

"Wow!" she gasps when we walk in the door, her hand gripped to her chest and her eyes taking in her surroundings. "This place is fantastic." Levi's bar really is spectacular, even more so when the dance floor is littered with gorgeous people grinding their sexy-as-hell bodies together in rhythm with the music, like it is tonight.

I glance up to the third level, but I can't see Levi—it's too packed in here. Placing my hand at the small of Avery's back, I lead her to the bar, where a seat just opened up and I motion for her to take it. We order our drinks and when they're handed to us, I turn to face her, propping my elbow up on the bar. She tips her beer back, practically chugging half the bottle.

"God, that's good," she sighs, slamming her bottle down on the bar, eliciting the attention of a few nearby patrons. "I need about ten more and I think I'll be set."

I turn toward the bar, intent on ordering Avery another drink, and find myself face-to-face with a familiar set of blue eyes.

"We meet again."

"Blaire," I state with a smile. She grins at me, probably happy that I remembered her name. "I thought you were a hostess?" I ask, leaning forward on the bar.

A mischievous look spreads across her beautiful face and she leans her elbows on the bar, completely ignoring the other patrons who are trying to order drinks. "I do hostess. I also bartend, and sometimes when I need extra money, I let Levi put me in one of those things." She nods her head in the direction of the hanging cages, but I don't have to follow her gaze—I already know what she's talking about. "In fact, I’ll bet there are a lot of things that you don't kn—"

"I said, excuse me!" Blaire's eyes harden and she turns her gaze to Avery. Her brows furrow slightly, a look of confusion flashing across her face at the sight of the woman sitting next to me. Avery blatantly rests her hand on my forearm, giving it a light squeeze as she looks at me adoringly, attempting to flutter her eyelashes.

It takes everything I have not to bust up laughing at the look on her face, but I manage to succeed.

What the hell is she doing?

Blaire's eyes follow Avery's hand, and then they bounce from me to Avery a couple of times before she blinks. She nods her head once, looking like she understands something...I'm just not sure what.

"What can I get you, Mr. Grawe?" Yup, I've still got it. I smile smugly to myself, completely oblivious to whatever the hell just happened. Blaire remembered my name. And I'm not going to lie, the fact that she called me Mr. Grawe instead of Tyson was really f*cking hot. Only now, Blaire's eyes aren't soft like they were before. They're not hard either; it's more a look of...indifference?

Avery slides her free hand along my back and wraps her arm around my waist, her other hand still resting on my arm. I stare at her in amusement as she pins Blaire with a hard look and answers before I have a chance.

"Sweetie," she says, dragging her eyes back to me. "Do you want another beer?" I can't help the laugh that slips from my mouth as I nod my head in agreement.

Blaire turns around without a second glance, grabs us each another beer, and then slides them across the bar. As soon as Blaire turns to the line of customers waiting to order their drinks, Avery removes her arm from around my waist and leans back in her chair with an arrogant look on her face.

"What the hell was that?" I laugh, taking a swig of my beer.

She cocks her head to the side, winks, and tips her beer in my direction. "You're welcome."

"For what?"

She looks confused. What the hell is she confused about? "For what?" she asks, sitting forward in her chair. "For saving your ass!"