“M-midnight.”
He had no idea what time it was but it had to be close to that. “You can leave now.”
A cute wrinkle appeared between her eyebrows. “No, I can’t.”
“I’ll talk to your boss.”
“No you won’t!” She jerked away from him and stepped back, crossing her arms and frowning.
He sighed and crossed his arms too. “Damn, I thought we were on the same page for about two seconds there.”
She blinked rapidly at him. “We were,” she admitted. “But you can’t interfere with my job.”
“It’s really not that big a deal,” he said patiently. “But whatever. I’ll wait till midnight.”
“Wait for what?”
“Do you have to ask?”
A smile tugged at her gorgeous mouth. “You’re going to take me out for a milkshake?”
He smiled in return. “You like milkshakes?”
“I love them.”
“You’re on, then.”
“Milkshakes at midnight, in January?”
“Why not? I know a little place we can get them.”
He didn’t want a milkshake, but if that was what she wanted, he’d go there.
“I have to cash out.” She moved away.
“I’ll wait.”
He went back to the table where his teammates were and got curious looks from all of them.
“Thought we might have to stop another fight.” Hughie grinned.
“What’s up with you and Amber, dude?” Duper asked. “Last night there was smoke coming off you two.”
“What?” Duncan frowned at his friend. “What are you talking about?”
Duper smirked. “Lovey noticed it too. The smoldering eye contact. The way you both kept staring at each other.”
Duncan frowned. “I wasn’t staring at her.”
“Oh yeah you were. And what was that just now?”
“I thought the guy was bugging her.”
“You were staking your claim.”
“What the fuck?”
“Marking your territory, like that documentary we watched the other night.”
“I’m not a ring-tailed lemur.”
The guys all guffawed.
“Whatever,” Duncan muttered. “I’m taking her out for a milkshake as soon as she gets off.”
“As soon as she gets off?” Hughie waggled his eyebrows. “Nice work, Armdog.”
Duncan shook his head, but he had to laugh.
“Oh hey! Pay up, everyone.” Hughie held out a hand palm up and wiggled his fingers, looking at the other guys. They all grumbled and pulled out their wallets, slapping bills onto Hughie’s palm.
“What’s that for?” Duncan demanded.
“I said you’d last three days. I win.”
“Damn,” Duper said. “I gave you a week, man.”
“I said one day,” Rupper admitted. “You lasted longer than I thought. Although technically, the fight Friday night was the start…hey, I should win!”
“That wasn’t a date,” Hughie protested. “It doesn’t count. Tonight’s their first date.”
Duncan scowled. Honesty compelled him to admit, “Actually, I did ask her out Friday night. She shut me down.”
“Aha!” Rupper reached out and plucked the bills from Hughie’s hand. “I do win!”
The others all groaned.
“And tonight’s not a date, exactly,” Duncan mumbled, both pissed and amused at the bet.
“I’m staying at Lovey’s tonight.” Duper elbowed him in the ribs. Duncan winced. He’d hit the goalpost hard last night with a drive to the net in a failed attempt to score and Duper’d nudged him right on the bruises. “You have the whole place to yourself tonight.”
Well, there was that. Duncan wasn’t sure what was going to happen after milkshakes, but it was good to know he could take Amber home if all went well. Christ. The thought of having her naked and under him made his blood rush hot through his veins. He gulped back the last of his beer and looked back at the bar.
Amber was slipping on a short black trench coat. She looked so fucking hot tonight in that snug, sparkly top and short skirt, and those heels that made her legs look incredible. Damn, he wanted those long legs wrapped around him.
“Gotta go,” he said, pushing away from the table. “See you all later.”
“Good luck,” Rupper called.
“Get her off good,” Hughie said. Duncan frowned at him and Hughie held up two hands. “Sorry.”
Duncan turned his back on them and walked toward Amber. She was lifting her long blond hair from beneath her coat collar. She shook her head, and it shimmered down her back in shiny waves.