Page 5 of This Time Around

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out,” I force the words out even though they feel like sandpaper as they leave my mouth, not meaning a single one of them.

“Don’t be. I’m sure as hell not. I gave it a solid chance, but sometimes people aren’t meant to be.”

“Honestly, I’m not sorry either. I always hated that bitch. I was just trying to be nice.” Sarcastic laughter escapes me.

“I know and trust me, Blake, pretending you like someone has never been your strong suit,” he chuckles.

What does that mean? I wonder as his smell of cedar and mint lingers in the air.

“What are you doing on this side of town?” he asks.

“I work at the bar around the corner,” I respond.

“Well… that’s good to know. I hear it’s the place to go to rinse down the stress following a long shift.” The subtle smile spreading across his face heats my core.

Lucas Jennings has never been a real possibility for me anyway-I’m just his little sister’s friend, after all, but damn it, of all the times for the most irresistible man I’ve ever known to come back into my life, it has to be right when I’ve sworn off men all together. It’s like the universe is playing a cruel fucking joke on me, and I’m not a fan.

“Wanna catch up while I finish looking for books?” I ask, sliding the book in my hand under my arm, now more intrigued by his hazel gaze.

“That sounds great.” He smiles, and it instantly brings me back to the young girl who had a crush on her best friend’s older brother.

“Are you still working in the ER?” I want to know everything about him.

“Of course, it’s my favorite. I love the unpredictability of my day. Every moment is a mystery.”

“That’s a feeling I’m chasing. Loving my job.” I give him a shy smile. “I envy you.”

“April says you love bartending.” He creases his brow.

“I do. It started as a way to make enough to support myself but quickly became a passion. I love the creativity that comes with creating new recipes.” I sigh a heavy breath, “Just wish I didn’t have to work for a dickweed to do it.”

This is not how I want to spend precious time with Lucas Jennings, so I quickly change the subject.

“What book do you have there?”

“Nothing too exciting, it’s a memoir written by a trauma surgeon I follow on social media, what are you reading?”

“I’m not sure, someone was in my seat when I sat down to look through it,” I tease. “But, I only read romance.”

“Interesting.” His tone is skeptical.

“Don’t be judgy. Romance is the superior genre, period, end of story.”

“Why is that?” he inquires.

“Simple, you get to fall in love over and over again, and book boyfriends never fail you.” I give him a smug smile.

“I’ll have to read one sometime to see if you’re right.”

“I am right, but why wait?” I ask with a devious grin.

“What?” He laughs.

“Let’s pick one out and buddy read it.”

“What the hell is buddy reading?” he mocks.

“It’s when you read the same book as a buddy, come on Luke, don’t be so dense.”