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Zack(77)

By:Sawyer Bennett


Taking my credit card out, I hand it to her. “Here…get me a Harp draft and whatever you want. I’m going to hit the restroom.”

“Okeydokey,” she says as she takes the card, and as she turns from me, I hear her say, “I wonder what the most expensive cocktail is,” and I grin to myself as I make my way toward the bathroom.

This will be fun. A night out with Kate to celebrate her birthday. A night out with a beautiful woman who never fails in making me laugh.

I make short work of my business, but am stopped briefly outside the bathroom by a fan asking for an autograph. I don’t mind, though…part of the business and all.

When I make it back into the bar, my hackles immediately go up when I see a guy standing next to Kate’s stool, his hand resting on the back of it. She’s laughing at something he just said, and he’s looking at her like he wants to eat her up.

And why wouldn’t he? She’s spectacularly beautiful tonight. She wore a deep red skirt that is narrow, hugs her hips, and comes just to her knees. A black turtleneck and a wide black leather belt set off her black boots to perfection. She has pulled her hair to the side, where it hangs in one thick braid over her left shoulder. When Sutton complimented her on it as she came down the stairs, Kate said, “My homage to Katniss Everdeen,” but I had no clue what that meant.

And when she walked down those stairs and I got my first look at her, I had to bite my tongue to keep from drooling. Alex, who was standing next to me, muttered, “Damn,” and I couldn’t have agreed more.

I mean…I really couldn’t agree…not out loud. Not in front of Alex and Sutton. Not in front of Ben. Definitely not in front of Kate, whom I very much needed not to see this as any type of date or anything.

As I walk toward the bar, my fingers curl in tight to my palms and I itch to clock the fucker who is encroaching on Kate. When I reach them, I lean in and stick my arm right between them, intent on grabbing my glass of beer sitting next to a glass of red wine that Kate has ordered for herself.

“Excuse me,” I say by way of announcing my arrival.

“Zack,” Kate says enthusiastically as she smiles up at me. “This is Gregory. He’s a fireman and EMT, and actually works some of the games at the arena.”

I cut a glance over at the fucker and his hand sticks out toward me. “Man…can’t believe I’m meeting Zack Grantham.”

Switching my beer from my right to my left hand, I give him a handshake and a half-assed attempt at a nice smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Then the guy, most chivalrously, turns to hold his hand out to Kate. She takes his, and he ends up covering her hand with both of his. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Kate. Hope you have a great birthday and enjoy the wine.”

“Thank you,” she says sweetly, her cheeks turning a bit pink.

As the dude is leaving, someone taps me on the shoulder and I turn to find the hostess behind me. “Your table is ready, Mr. Grantham.”

Kate hops off her stool and hands me my credit card. “Gregory bought both of our drinks.”

“Figures,” I mutter as I pocket the card and watch as Kate grabs her wineglass. I shoot a glance over to Gregory as he sits across the bar watching Kate hungrily. Then his eyes connect with mine and he tilts his head up in an acknowledging nod. I hold my beer up and nod back at him, giving him silent thanks for it.

Fucker.

Kate and I follow the hostess back and she seats us in a small round booth that’s clearly designed for two people to share a romantic dinner while they sit side by side. Kate slides in and I follow right behind, the fit so tight, my knee bumps along the side of hers. She doesn’t acknowledge the touch, but fuck if I don’t feel it rocket straight through my body.

We peruse the menu briefly, discuss our choices, and only after the waiter takes our order do I try to relax a bit.

Except I can’t help it when I say, “So…didn’t take Gregory long to hit on you while I was gone. He must have been lurking.”

Kate snorts as she takes her glasses off and puts them back in her purse. She doesn’t wear her glasses all the time, I notice now…only when she needs them to read. “I doubt it. He just seems like a nice guy.”

I’m the one who snorts. “Seriously…you can’t be that naïve?”

Cocking an eyebrow at me, Kate makes a grand sweeping gesture with her hand. “By all means…educate me.”

I pick up my beer and take a sip, looking at her over the edge of the glass. She’s fucking stunning, and I also think she might be enjoying whatever this is.

Jealous?

Surely not.