Page 22 of The Spare

“No, no. Just decided to stop in for a drink. It’s been quite the day.” I let out an exhausted chuckle.

Luigi extends his arm toward the bar, and I’m about to take a seat when I notice someone out of the corner of my eye. And not the flirty type of women from earlier in the evening. This one would never stoop so low.

“Can I get two fingers of scotch, Luigi?”

“Coming right up.”

After the evening I’ve had, it would make more sense to take a seat, enjoy the warm burn of my drink, and get my ass home. But since when have I ever done the sensible thing?

“If it isn’t Queen P.”

Her head pops up, an immediate scowl crossing her otherwise angelic features. Even with the deep V between her brows and the tight purse of her lips, she’s still the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen.

Not that I’d ever tell her that.

She’s sitting all alone at a table for two in the corner of the restaurant. One usually reserved for couples enjoying a romantic evening. Is her date in the restroom, perhaps?

“This night just keeps getting better and better,” she mutters.

“Ha.” I chuckle. “I could say the same.” Taking a chance, I pull out the chair beside her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Just thought I’d stop by to say hello while I’m waiting on my drink. Friendliness goes a long way, you know. It’s probably good for your health too. But you should know that. Since you’re a doctor.” Of course, she doesn’t resemble any lab coat wearing brainiac at the moment. In a little black silk, off the shoulder number that hugs her curves in all the right places, she’s any man’s dream girl.

Alexis rolls her eyes before crossing her arms over her voluptuous chest. “Spare me.”

I notice her empty glass and unused utensils and can’t stop myself. “Dinner for one? Again? Or did you get stood up?”

A tiny gasp escapes her pink, pouty lips. I almost missed it. I’d meant to tease her, but by the hurt expression on her face, I must’ve hit the nail on the head.

“What?” I make an overdramatic expression of shock and clutch my chest as Luigi approaches with my drink. “Someone had the nerve to jilt royalty? Dr. Alexis Patterson of all people?”

She pushes to her feet and grabs her clutch. Her cheeks are heated now. But I’d much rather see her angry than sad. I’ll never understand why this woman is still single.

“Please, don’t go,” Luigi says as he grabs my elbow, encouraging me to leave her be. “Let me make you something special. Sam was just leaving.”

“I don’t have anywhere I need to go,” I blurt.

Luigi glares at me.

“It’s fine, Luigi. I appreciate the offer. But I’ve lost my appetite. I’m going to head home. Do you mind bringing me the check?”

“Nonsense. It’s all taken care of.”

“No, I insist,” she says, retrieving her wallet from her little black purse.

“Sam has it.” He winks.

The corner of her mouth curls into a grin before she leans in to give Luigi a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“Thank him.” He laughs.

Alexis walks in my direction, and I await her thankfulness for being saddled with her bar tab. Instead, with her eyes trained on the door, she passes by me without a word, her middle finger doing all the talking. I drag my tongue along my lower lip as her delectable ass sashays out the door on her four-inch black stilettos, making my cock sit up in appreciation.

I rub my fingers over my stubble as I watch her. The one woman I wouldn’t mind settling down with. But any hope of that died years ago. And it’s just as well.

Because we’d probably kill each other.