Meet Me Halfway(74)

“Oh, um. Perfect. Okay. How about you?”

The older gentleman across from him sat there trying to hide his shit-eating grin behind a menu, and for some reason it made me laugh. I had a feeling these two were going to be a handful tonight.

“Nah, but I’m sure I’ll crave some fries or something later,” he finally got out.

“You got it.” I turned to leave but paused when fingers brushed my wrist. I looked over my shoulder, holding a knife to my heart and threatening it to calm the fuck down.

“I’ll admit, Curly’s cute, but I think I like Maddie better.”

Licking my lips, I swallowed, meeting his gaze, “You know, you’re the only one who calls me that.”

Garrett’s eyes flared, and his knuckles whitened as he gripped the bottle in his hand, “Then I definitely like it better.”

My mouth opened, but realizing I had nothing to say that wouldn’t give away the butterflies taking flight inside of me, I snapped it shut, nodding to Harry and high-tailing it out of there.

I checked on the rest of my tables and then promptly staked out a hiding spot on the far side of the bar.

Nate whistled. “That man was looking at you like you were a snack he wants to partake in three times a day. I could feel the angst from here.”

I groaned, lowering my head to my arms. Of course, Garrett would not only show up when I wasn’t prepared, but also turn up the heat less than a full week after my self-revelation about being in love with him.

Tipping my head to the side and gazing up at my friend, I asked, “You really don’t recognize him?”

He raised his brows, grabbing a frosted mug and filling it with the perfect amount of beer to foam ratio. “No, why? Who is he?”

I groaned again, cursing Nate and his playboy habit of never remembering a single face or name. “Do you remember that night when I downed a guy’s beer over his lap?”

“No. Shut up. That’s the same guy?”

I nodded pathetically, knowing I needed to pick my head up and go check on my customers, but not having the courage to do it yet.

“And you still haven’t put him out of his misery? Curly, that man wants you.”

“I know,” I said, flicking pretzel crumbs off the bar that’d probably fallen from someone’s mouth. “He’s already asked me to play the benefit game.”

“And you haven’t—okay, you’re officially, certifiably insane, but we’ll circle back to that. I meant that man wants you, as in, wants you forever and ever.”

I shoved off the bar, steadying myself from the sudden change in equilibrium. “No, he doesn’t, Nate. He already told me to my face it would be a ‘no feelings’ deal.”

Nate flipped a few shakers, making some random concoction that was sure to be delicious. “Even better then. You always whine about not having the time to date anyway. So, what’s holding you back?”

The fact I was in love with him, and touching him would kill what was left of my beaten-down heart? Was that a good reason?

He popped the caps off two more bottles and slid them over to me, “Do something crazy, Curly. You’re a mom, and a great one, but don’t forget you’re also a woman. You have needs, and that matters too.”

I plucked them up, “Since when did you get all philosophical and shit?”

He paused mid-shake, sucking on his teeth and clicking his tongue. “Curly, I got all kinds of different sides to me. How else do you think I get all my dates?”

I rolled my eyes. Do something crazy, huh? I didn’t judge anyone who enjoyed one-night stands. Nate made it his second profession, and I loved his face. But could I move Garrett’s and my friendship in that direction and not want more? That’s what I wasn’t sure about.

But as I approached his table, and his eyes flicked up my body, I almost yelled, “Goddammit, yes!” and dragged him by his collar to the bathroom. Somehow, I don’t think getting fired was the level of crazy Nate had in mind.

Garrett watched every step I took like it was foreplay for him, and I suddenly forgot how to speak. Setting the new bottles on the table, I reached to grab his empty one, but he whipped his hand out at the same time, curling his fingers around my own. He yanked the bottle toward him, and it lurched me forward until I almost fell into his lap.

I placed a hand against his shoulder, propping up my weight, and stared down at him, wide-eyed. The position felt oddly similar to the last time I’d held a beer bottle over his lap, and the look he gave me said he was thinking the same thing.

I flushed crimson, scrambling back and wiping my palms on my sides. Turning my body away from the fucking sun, I asked Harry, “You still good?”

Harry was leaned forward, his chin resting in his bear-sized hand, a suspiciously blank expression on his face. “Yeah, I’m good.”

I cleared my throat, refusing to look to the man on my left who was staring a hole into me. “All right then, just flag me down when you’re ready for more.”

“I thought I’d already made it clear I was, but I can tell you as many times as you need to hear it, Maddie.”

My ears were so red, they burned, and I’d never moved from a table faster in my life. The sounds of the brothers’ laughter echoing out behind me.

The remainder of the night went on fairly well, all things considered. It didn’t take long for me to have a full section, including a large party, so I was too busy to over-think Garrett’s presence or his teasing comments.