While I Was Away(53)

Yet as he looked up from his phone, his eyes landed on the person he'd been hoping would text him back. Zoey Blanke was hovering near the bar, laughing up at August, who was sitting on the bar top so he could better address his adoring fans.

Ocean smiled to himself while he watched her. She was wearing a ridiculously short, tight dress under a ridiculous huge knit cardigan. Her hair was its usual crazy, uninhibited mass surrounding her head. One large hoop earring was visible and her smirking lips were painted a deep shade of purple.

She was so unlike him, it fit right in with his “cheesy TV show” analogy. Scruffy cop moves to L.A., meets hip, young, sassy woman, and sparks fly. Things like that didn't happen in real life.

And yet they did, and yet here you are.

Zoey glanced in his direction, then did a double take and held his gaze. Her smile dimmed a little, but it was still just as beautiful, because it was genuine. Full of sass and humor. She nodded along to whatever August was saying, but continued looking at Ocean, delicately fingering her earring.

Then she turned back to the youngest Reins brother, gave him a big smile, said goodbye, and walked out of the bar.

So what happens next in our TV show?

“August!” Ocean shouted as he hurried across the room. “I gotta go – see you in the morning.”

“You're leaving?” his brother asked. “River isn't even here yet, he said he's on his way!”

“Yeah, yeah, tell him I'll see him, too. Early for coffee, okay?”

“Where's the fire?”

Ocean paused just short of the exit, trying to think how best to respond.

“You know,” he chuckled. “I'm not sure, but I think I'm gonna find out.”

Zoey wasn't too far down the block when he finally made it outside. He watched her for a second, amazed she could walk in her huge high heels, then he jogged after her.

“Blanke!” he called out. She didn't stop moving, but he could hear her laugh.

“Nice night for a stroll, Ocean,” she said once he caught up to her.

“You didn't stay long at the party.”

“Wasn't really in a partying mood.”

“I texted you earlier.”

“Wasn't in a texting mood, either.”

See, this was what Ocean hated. He was undeniably attracted to Zoey, but he also didn't understand her one bit. He didn't like games or riddles.

“So what kind of mood are you in?” he finally asked.

Zoey sighed and slowed to a stop, then glanced up at the building next to them.

“I'm in a stay at home and drink whiskey straight from the bottle kind of mood. How about you?” she replied. Ocean smiled back at her.

“I think I'm always in that mood.”

“Perfect. I hate to drink alone.”

They didn't talk again as she led him into the building. The elevator was broken, so he followed her up five flights of stairs. He was impressed she was able to do the whole thing in her heels. When she unlocked a door marked 5A and stepped inside, he followed without any hesitation.

“Handy that you live so close to such a great bar,” he commented. She shut the door and they were enveloped in darkness.

“Handy that August listened when I recommended it,” she corrected him. He was startled to find she was standing right in front of him. Then she brushed past and a lamp was turned on.

“You live here alone?” he asked as he took off of his jacket. Zoey laughed and discarded her cardigan, as well.

“No, Ocean, I share this spacious apartment with three roommates.”

He glanced around and felt foolish – it was a studio apartment. He was standing next to an end table and a small couch. Beyond them was a bookshelf, which effectively separated the living space from the “bedroom”. A made-up bed was visible through the shelves.

He cleared his throat and looked away from it.

“Someone said there'd be whiskey?”

The far wall was a kitchenette, and she produced a bottle of Maker's Mark along with two squat glasses. She poured them healthy shots, then handed over his glass before toasting him.

“To ...” she gestured for him to make a toast.

“To weird fucking nights,” he offered, and she smiled again.

“Amen, Ocean.”

They both downed their drinks in one shot, so she refilled them.

“You've lived here a long time?” he asked, moving to the windows and looking down to the street. She walked past him into the bedroom area and sat the liquor bottle down on her nightstand.

“Yeah, ever since college. Adele moved in with Charlie, and I moved in here,” she said.

“Seems like a nice spot.”

“It is. Maybe not as nice as your place in Philly, though.”

Ah, so Zoey Blanke was on a fishing expedition. He smirked into his glass.

“Definitely not. I have two bedrooms, and original hardwood floors.”

“Excellent points, excellent points,” she agreed, all while slowly taking off her shoes. She dropped about five inches in height when they were gone. “But I still think my place is better.”

“And why is that, Ms. Blanke?” he asked, fully turning to face her. She tossed back her second shot of whiskey before joining him in front of his window.