Page 4 of Wrong For Me

She grins, and I get the sense she knows exactly what I’m suddenly worried about. “Grad school, actually. First year in September.”

I relax. “Me too. Well, not a first year. I just finished my master’s and I’m starting my doctorate in the fall.”

She sits up straighter, obvious interest in her expression. “Really? Where are you—”

The rest of her question is cut off when Bodhi clears his throat next to me. “Sorry, man.” He sounds genuinely regretful to interrupt us. “This chick is asking for a Lemon Drop and I’ve never made one.”

Since that’s one of the drinks I’d planned to make Rose, I have all the shit I need right in front of me and I get to work. “Hey,” Bodhi says to Rose in what I’m sure he thinks is his most charming voice. “How’s it going?”

“Good. You guys are pretty busy, huh?”

“Only for a little while longer,” he says. “Once the big guns get up on stage, no one will be worrying much about their drinks.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rose stiffen, but then Bodhi leans over the counter, his hand outstretched. “I’m Bodhi.”

“Rose,” she says.

He smacks my back. “I’m assuming you’ve met my friend Leo.”

“No, actually.”

“Dude.” He sounds aghast. “You didn’t even tell her yourname?”

“I was getting there,” I mutter.

He rolls his eyes. “You really need to work on your game.”

Rose laughs, holding out her hand. “Rose.” I wrap her soft, small hand in mine, giving it a squeeze, trying to ignore the electricity that buzzes through me at her touch. The sudden yearning I feel to touch a hell of a lot more of her.

Rose meets my gaze, her eyes matching the intensity I’m sure is mirrored in mine. “His game is just fine,” she murmurs.

Jesus. I’ve never in my life had this kind of a reaction to a complete stranger. Where in the hell did this girl come from?

I hand Bodhi the drink for his customer without looking at him, my eyes still locked on Rose’s. “Okaaaayy, then,” he says, his tone amused. “I’m just gonna…leave the two of you to…talk.”

I barely notice him walking away. “You ready for this?” I ask her, pointing at the drinks in front of me.

She sits up straighter, looking excited. “Hit me.”

I slide the first glass across the counter. “We’re starting pretty safe here, Rose.” Rose. Damn do I like the way her name feels on my tongue. “This is a Lemon Drop. Vodka, lemon juice, and simple sugar.”

She brings the glass to her lips and I get majorly distracted watching her mouth. “That’s pretty good.”

“It’s refreshing, right?”

She nods, wiping her mouth. “Definitely.” She gives me that breathtaking smile. “Still a little too sweet for me.”

I slide over the next drink, a Manhattan. “This is pretty much the opposite of sweet.”

She takes a sip and immediately flinches. “Oh, God. I hate it.”

I laugh, taking the glass back. “Tell me how you really feel.”

She gives me a sheepish smile. “I’m sure you prepared it just right, I’m not like, doubting your bartending skills.” Then she surprises me by reaching over to place her hand over mine. Once again, those buzzy sparks go crazy on my skin. “Butpleasedon’t make me drink that ever again.”

I force out a chuckle, even as my heart beat goes into overdrive. I’m pretty sure I would give this girl anything she ever asked for so long as she added that breathy littlepleaseinto the mix.

“Ready for attempt three?”

She smacks her palms against the counter. “Let’s do it.”