Page 55 of Just for the Plot

I chuckle. “You’re acting like a dad.”

“The fuck I am,” he says, utterly insulted at the suggestion. “Just looking out for you.”

“Well, I’ll be fine…Daddy.”

One singular brow raises that makes me burst out in laughter.

“If you’re calling me ‘daddy,’ then I can’t possibly allow you to go into that bar. Off to get ice cream it is.” He reaches to put the car back into drive, but I stop him with my hand to his.

“Don’t even think about it,” I say, then I open the door. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Anytime,” he says. “Want me to walk you in?”

I laugh. “No, I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“Okay, but seriously, text me anytime if you need me, even if it’s three in the morning. I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Bennett.” I squeeze his arm. “You’re a great friend. I’d be lost without you.”

His lips press together as he lightly smiles. “Anytime.”

I let out a deep breath. “Okay, here goes nothing.” I hop out of the car, wave to Bennett, and then head toward the front door. Large, mahogany, and heavy, it takes me a second, but I pull it open and I’m instantly hit with that day-old, musty-beer smell that seems to permeate every pub in the world.

The entire space is floor-to-ceiling wood. From the walls, to the floors, to the tables and chairs, and only the stained-glass lampshades and brass accents along the bar provide contrast.

Bennett wasn’t kidding when he said it seems like a good old boys’ club.

Not letting it shift my mood, I glance around the room, looking for Cougar, just as a hand is placed on my back.

Surprised, I turn around and come face to, well, chest of a man in a blue-and-white-striped shirt and navy blue capris with accompanying loafers. Slowly, I lift my eyes past a broad set of shoulders, up a thick column of a neck, to a freshly shaven jaw, slightly pointy nose, and then to a pair of dark and almost dangerous eyes.

“Bower?” he asks.

“Cougar,” I say, almost feeling breathless from his sheer presence. Not sure I’ve ever met someone who is six seven in real life, but my God, is he tall.

“That would be me.” He leans down and places a kiss on my cheek. “Great to meet you.” He takes in my dress and smirks. “You look great.”

“Thank you. I might have changed several times before coming tonight.”

“You chose right.” He holds out his arm and says, “Shall we?”

“I think we shall.” I smile up at him, already mentally thanking Bennett for setting me up, because this is what I’m talking about. He seems nice, a bit of a gentleman, and he’s hot.

He leads me past a few tables, and when I feel like we’re going to go to the back, he makes a hard right and gestures to a stool at the bar.

Oh.

This is…this is not what I was expecting.

“Are we waiting for a table?” I ask, taking in the four empty booths in the back.

“Nah, I like sitting at the bar. Drinks come faster.” He winks and takes a seat next to me.

Okay, no big deal. I like a good drink as well.

“What would you like?” he asks.

“Umm, what are you getting?”