the pub opened, and unable to keep her curiosity hidden, she swung her head around and peered at the men who entered. She recognized some of them, most working for the police or fire departments. There were larger bars, trendier bars, those with live bands or filled with the up-and-coming businessmen and women who wanted to use drinks after work as a way to make beneficial connections. For her business, she probably should frequent one of them, working the room and drumming up potential new clients. But the Celtic Cock had been the only place she and Harper came to regularly. Somehow, knowing that Torin and Maeve kept an eye on the place and it was filled with first responders, she felt safe.
The door opened again, and this time she felt her breath rush from her lungs as Rory came into view. And just like the week before, as soon as her gaze landed on him, she was unable to keep the smile from her face. Tall. Dark, almost-black hair. Deep blue eyes. Muscular but not bulky. Fit and gorgeous, but not in a way that made her think he spent an abundance of time in the gym… or in front of the mirror. And that smile. Blowing out her breath, she hoped he turned his smile toward her.
Instead, he walked toward the back, stopping to chat with several of the other firemen. “A lady never gawks at a man.” She wanted him to notice her yet twisted around on her barstool to face Harper, not wanting him to think she was staring. A presence was felt at her side, and she turned around, seeing Bill lean in to grab his beer placed on the bar.
“Ladies. Gorgeous as ever.” He smiled at her before turning toward Harper to ask about her arm. Bill was a good friend to both of them. At first, he’d seemed interested in her, but she’d felt nothing but friendship. Then she thought he might be interested in Harper, but they remained only friends as well. Now, the three would spend time together without the pressure of trying to avoid the topic of dating. As he and Harper chatted, she lifted her gaze into the mirror behind the bar once more.
Rory was still standing to the side, talking with his friends. Suddenly, his head turned and his eyes met hers in the reflection. She considered playing it cool, but her wide smile slipped across her face. Thrilled when he started walking over, she took another fortifying sip of her drink.
“Hello.”
His deep voice moved over her, and she glanced over her shoulder, meeting his gaze full-on. “Well, hello.”
He turned slightly to greet Harper and Bill before shifting his body toward her. The bar was already crowded, but he maneuvered between her barstool and the person on the other side. He stood close while maintaining space between them. “Would it sound bad if I told you that I’ve been looking forward to this since the last time we met?” he asked.
“Hmmm, I’m afraid I don’t know you well enough to know if that’s a true statement or pickup line,” she said smoothly, cocking her head to the side, holding his gaze.
“Oh, it’s a true statement. If I was going to use a pickup line, I’d come up with something very classic… or cheesy.”
Lifting an eyebrow, she waited until Torin set Rory’s beer onto the bar and he’d taken a sip. “So, what kind of pickup line would you use?”
“Well, let’s see.” He appeared to think, then his lips quirked upward on one side. “Are you a magician? Because when I look at you, everyone else disappears.”
“Oh, is that the best you can do? I think I can come up with one better than that!” she laughed.
“Okay, go for it.”
She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I may not be a genie, but I can make your dreams come true.”
“Damn, girl. Okay, okay, let me come up with a good one. Um… Do you have a pencil? Because I want to erase your past and write our future.”
“If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.”
Grinning wider, he snapped back, “I wish I was crosseyed so I could see you twice.”
She had just taken a sip of her drink when she snorted, sputtered, then began coughing. As she tried to suck in a breath, his smile dropped, and he immediately patted her back gently until she regained the ability to breathe.