As if the bartender read my mind, he tapped the bar in front of a big beefy guy and said, “Jay, you mind moving down the bar.”
“Sure thing, Ty,” Jay said and I watched in amusement as he pushed the guy beside him, and like a set of dominoes they forced everyone down a spot until the stool in front of me was open.
I slid on it and smiled gratefully at Ty the bartender. “Thanks.”
Ty grinned and I had to admit, I took some comfort and pleasure in the appreciative look in his eyes. “No need. I wanted something prettier to look at than Jay.”
I laughed. “Well, thanks anyway.”
“So what can I get you?”
I tilted my head in thought, the blood rushing in my ears at the thought of what was going on behind me. “A time machine?”
Ty chuckled. “You think I had one of those, I’d be working here?”
“Oh? What would you use it for?”
“Ah, well, that would be telling. What would you use it for?”
I shrugged. “Lots of things.”
He leaned across the bar, his eyes drinking in my every feature. “You’re telling me someone like you has regrets?”
“Someone like me? What do you know about someone like me?”
His response was a slow, wicked grin that I had to admit penetrated my sadness and jealousy just a little. “I’ll be right back.” He strode down the bar to help his colleague and I checked him out from the back. Very nice.
True to his word, Ty came back after a minute or so, opened a beer, and planted it in front of me. “On the house.”
I picked it up with a smirk. “And what does a filly have to do for that around here?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “A filly? Really?”
I grinned back at him.
Mirth still bright in his eyes, he shook his head. “Nothing. I promise. Except maybe stop looking so sad. You are far too pretty to be so sad.”
I tipped the bottle head in his direction and avoided his compliment with a casual, “Thanks for the beer.”
“What’s your name?”
“Charley.”
He leaned on the bar again. “It suits you. Charley, I’m Ty.”
“You have a nice city here, Ty.”
“Thank you.” His expression turned curious. “What brings you to us, Charley?”
I shook my head. “Uh-uh. Too depressing.”
“Okay.” His brow wrinkled in thought. “Where are you from?”
I shook my head again. “You could be a serial killer. The less information I give you, the less chance of you finding me to serial kill me.”
Ty chuckled and as our eyes locked, I didn’t feel the sizzle I should have. I was too busy wondering if Jake had noticed I was talking to this guy or if he was too busy getting his flirt on with the beautiful brunette to give a shit what I was up to.
“Ah, suspicious and overly cautious. Let me guess—law student.”