He wasn’t too surprised when shock flooded Emma’s face. “Really?”
He crossed his fingers over his heart. “Scout’s Honor,” he lied.
The corners of her lips quirked up like she was fighting a smile. “Okay then. After the day I’ve had, I could sure use one.” She glanced back at the mirror. “Oh, I’m a mess. Could you give me a few minutes to freshen up?”
“Of course. I’ll be right outside.”
CHAPTER TWO
When the door closed behind Aidan, Emma released the breath she had been holding in a long, exaggerated whoosh. Deflated, she leaned against the bathroom counter. Drinks with Aidan Fitzgerald, are you insane? Every woman in the building knew his reputation of screw-em-and-leave-em, and unless you wanted your heart broken, you steered clear of him. Thoughts of their encounter at the Christmas party flashed like a lightning storm through her mind.
Being new at the company, she had her eye out for any potential single men. After catching him staring at her several times, she’d innocently questioned Casey about who he was. She had shaken her head so fast Emma was sure she was going to get whiplash. “He’s a sex on a stick, Em, so you need to stay the hell away from him unless you wanna get used!” she had replied.
The other ladies chimed in with very detailed descriptions of some of Aidan’s infamous exploits with different women at the company. So when he came sauntering over with his bedroom eyes and swagger, she sent him on his way, tail between his legs with her hard rejection.
She dug her make-up bag out of purse. Gazing in the mirror, she reapplied some loose powder on her face. Her tear-stained eyes needed the works of new eyeliner, mascara, and eye-shadow. As a finishing touch, she rolled a tube of rose colored lipstick across her lips.
Emma surveyed her reflection and groaned. Why are you even bothering with your face? All he cares about is what you look like from the neck down, preferably the waist! God, of all the men in the building, it had to be Aidan that came to her rescue. Mr. Manwhore Fitzgerald himself. He was the type of man who wasn’t used to ever getting rejected, so he must have a score to settle with her.
She tossed her makeup bag back in her purse. With a deep breath, she headed outside. True to his word, Aidan sat on one of the benches outside the bathroom. He shot up the moment he saw her. “Ready?”
“Sure.”
They pushed through the revolving doors and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Emma’s heels clicked along the pavement. The warm air from the heavy traffic rushing past them ruffled the bottom of her short skirt, and she fought to keep from having a Marilyn Monroe Seven Year Itch moment. “You go to O’Malley’s often?” she asked, trying to make conversation.
Aidan nodded. “A couple of nights a week me and some of the guys from my department have a beer. Maybe catch the latest game.” He punched the crosswalk button. “What about you?”
Emma wrinkled her nose as they started across the street. “Not really. I’m not much on the atmosphere.” When he raised an eyebrow at her, she quickly said, “I mean, it’s fine going with you tonight. It’s just not some place my girlfriends and I like to hang out.”
With his signature cocky grin, Aidan held the door to O’Malley’s open for her. “Let me guess. Since you’re with me, you won’t have to worry about a bunch of drunken assholes hitting on you.”
“Exactly. Well, maybe just one drunken asshole.” She glanced up at him. “Depending on how much you drink.”
Aidan’s eyes widened before he laughed. “I’ll try to watch myself.”
A young blonde stood at the hostess stand. She beamed at the sight of Aidan and adjusted her shirt to give him a better view of her cleavage. He rewarded her efforts with a smile. “Can we get a booth, Jenny?”
“Sure, Aidan. Follow me.”
As Jenny sashayed her hips in front of them, Emma rolled her eyes at Aidan to which he winked in response. Jenny sat them at a dimly lit table in the back of the bar. She handed them a menu, and then stared directly at Aidan. “See ya later!”
He gave a brief wave and then turned his attention to the menu. Feeling Emma’s heated gaze, he looked back up. “What?”
“Nothing,” she murmured.
“If your nothing is about Jenny, I told you I came here a lot.”
“I didn’t say anything,” she countered.
“You didn’t have to. The death glare you were giving me was enough.” He smirked at her. “Since I know you want to ask, Jenny is not one of my conquests, and I’ve never seen her anywhere outside of O’Malley’s. Besides, her dad owns this place, and he wouldn’t hesitate to kick my ass!”