Page 43 of Time To Learn

Confused, I turn in my seat, and I can’t help but admire the view and the attractive blonde who just entered the pub. I shuffle in my seat and raise my eyes back at my friend.

“You knowher?”

Alex nods slowly.

“Yeah. I did her tattoo a while back, and I can’t get her out of my mind. Her name’s Trish, and I’ve never seen a creature as gorgeous as her before.”

I snort as he rubs his fist over his heart.

“Aren’t you a bit dramatic?” I grin at him, but then turn my head to look at her more closely. I can’t say I’m surprised Alex is taken with her. She’s wearing a cute, black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, and lots of silvery bracelets on her wrists. But my smile freezes when the woman behind her comes into clearview.

“Fuck me,” Alex curses.

“You can say that again,” I mutter.

Shit, it’s Laura. Again. This is getting too bizarre. She’s wearing black skinny jeans that make her legs seem to go on for-fucking-ever despite her short frame and some kind of halter-neck top that looks as green as moss. Her hair is piled high on top of her head again, making my fingers itch to feel whether it’s as soft to the touch as it looks. As she takes off her black jacket, she scans the bar, and my pulse skips when her gaze lands on me. Her movements jerk to a stop as her eyes widen in surprise, and her mouth popsopen.

I smile slowly at her, thrilled I seem to have the same effect on her as she has onme.

“Alex, do you believe in fate?” I ask, keeping my eyes locked on Laura as she scowls atme.

Fuck. Now she’s cute, too.

“Hell, no, but I think I’m about to,” he grumbles.

I glance at him briefly as he stands up and I grin before I look back at the women. Laura raises her head, the scowl still marring her lips. Despite the distance between us, I can still see the stubborn glint in hereyes.

Challenge fucking accepted.

“Me, too, my friend. Me, too.”

Laura turns to say something to her friend, and I brace, prepared to run after them if they decide to leave the pub. To my surprise, her friend begins to laugh as she shakes her head, and she latches on to Laura’s left hand, dragging her behind her. I watch as they go to find a table at the other end of the pub, turning in my seat so I don’t lose sight ofthem.

This is going to be an interesting night.

* * *

Laura

“Trish,”I hiss loudly as she drags me behind her. Her fingers feel like talons on my wrist, preventing me from running in the other direction. “Let me go. We’ll go to anotherpub.”

“No way, babe.” She turns her head and I roll my eyes at the wink she gives me. “I want a nice gin & tonic, and then you can tell me why that piece of delicious man candy freaks you out somuch.”

We come to a stop at a small table for two and I finally find myself free of her grasp. She nudges me in my back and points at the wide, black armchair against the wall. It overlooks the pub, giving me the perfect view of Kristian and his friend.

Frowning, I shake myhead.

“You take that seat, and I’ll sithere.”

“Nope.”

Another nudge, this time more persistent, and I have to wedge myself between the small tables to prevent myself from falling flat on myarse.

“You’re so annoying,” I grumble as I sit down, huffing with annoyance. “Besides, there’s nothing totell.”

Trish takes her wallet and then hands me her clutch. I place it underneath my jacket, half sitting onit.

“No, I’m not,” she trills at me, her eyes dancing with mirth. “Now, wait here, and I’ll go get us our drinks. Don’tmove.”