What He Wants (Second Chances #1.5)(8)

Sheepishly, April glanced back at the dance floor and then back to me. She didn’t want to leave me alone, but I wasn’t about to let her worry about me either.

“Go, April,” I commanded, bumping her shoulder. “I know you want to dance, so go out there and have fun. I’ll be perfectly fine here.”

Her eyes lit up. “Are you sure? You can come dance with us if you want.”

I snorted, “I don’t think so. I’ll be right here enjoying my drink.”

Once she left with her newly found friend, I watched them all dance with carefree smiles on their faces. I was still young, but going to bars and meeting decent men wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I’d dated Daniel through all of my college years, so I didn’t really have the dating experience to see what else was out there. Knowing my luck, I was probably going to end up being a cat lady … old and alone.

Once I finished my drink, I slid the glass to the side only to see Ryan coming toward me with another tequila sunrise, smiling. “Another one?” I asked incredulously.

Chuckling, he set it down and shrugged. “What can I say? I think the guy likes you.”

“Or trying to get me drunk so he can take advantage of me,” I mumbled. Usually three tequila sunrises was enough to give me a good buzz. About five of them and I’d be slurring my words and making no sense. “So where is this guy?” I asked.

Ryan turned his head and peered back at the bar, pursing his lips when he faced me again. “Well, he was at the bar. He keeps disappearing on me.”

That’s convenient. “What does he look like?”

Shaking his head, Ryan chuckled and tucked the serving tray under his arm. “I don’t know … tall, dark, and handsome. Isn’t that what you ladies like these days?”

There were a lot of men in the room that were tall, dark, and handsome. It didn’t mean they were good guys.

“Not all the time, Ryan,” I admitted truthfully. “Good men come in different packages.”

“And that’s what gives me hope,” he said with a wink. “If I see your secret admirer again, I’ll point him out to you.”

“Thank you.”

After about two more songs, Lia and her date came back, all sweaty and pumped from dancing while April stayed out on the dance floor.

Leaning over, Lia whispered in my ear, “I think April and I are going back to their place tonight to have some fun. You want to go?”

“Hell no,” I snapped. Was she serious? “I’m not going to wait in the living room while you and April have sex with these guys. After we’re done here just drop me off back at home.”

“Are you sure? Why don’t you find someone to hook up with? You’re single now … you need to live like it.”

I hadn’t slept with another man since Daniel, and it was mostly in part to not finding anyone that appealed to me. The only guy tonight that actually caught my attention hardly acknowledged me.

“It’s hard to live like that when you’re not used to that lifestyle,” I replied. “I was with the same guy for years. It’s not easy opening yourself back up after what I went through.”

Lia’s gaze softened and she nodded. “I understand. Why don’t we have a couple more drinks and dance for a bit? Maybe your secret admirer will come around. I take it he sent you another drink?” she asked, glancing down at my glass.

After twirling my straw in the fruity substance, I bent down and took a long sip. “Yep, and Ryan said he disappeared. I have no clue who the guy is.”

Lia pursed her lips and glanced around the room. “Hmm … that is kind of creepy. Maybe he’s ugly or something and he’s embarrassed.”

“Maybe,” I said halfheartedly. “I guess I’ll never know.”

At the bar, Ryan smiled over at me and started in my direction with not a drink in his hands, but a piece of paper. “Uh oh,” I mumbled. “Ryan’s coming back.”

Holding my breath, I waited on him to reach me. “I was told to give this to you,” he instructed, handing me the folded piece of paper.

“From the same guy?” I asked, taking the note.

Ryan nodded. “Yes, but I didn’t read it.”

When I opened up the letter, there was just a simple phrase on it:



What was this guy thinking? I wasn’t going to meet him outside. If he wanted to talk to me he could come inside. I didn’t like playing games. Folding the note back up, I laid it on the table and shook my head.

“I’m not going out there,” I thundered.

Lia snatched up the letter, read it, and immediately got to her feet. “Oh my God, I’m going to go see what he looks like.”

She took off before I could even stop her while Ryan laughed and headed back to the bar. Lia stopped at the patio door and gazed outside with wide, excited eyes. Our taste in men was on opposite sides of the spectrum, but when she started fanning herself I knew he exceeded her expectations. As soon as she came back and sat down, she nodded her head appreciatively.

“There was one guy out there sitting by himself, and if he’s the one I suggest you go out there. He’s so effing hot.”

Unfortunately, I was about to burst her bubble. “Actually, I think I’ll just head to the bathroom and then call it a night. Even if the guy’s hot as hell, if he has to write notes and play games then there has to be something wrong with him. I’m going to pass on this one.”