it’s later than I thought. I’ve got to be at the high school tomorrow morning to chaperone an event, so I need to get home.”
“I’ll say good night also.” Bekki slid from her stool and looked at Kimberly. “Are you staying?”
“Nah, I’ll head out also. I just need to hit the ladies’ room before I leave, so I’ll say goodbye now.”
The friends hugged, then separated, paying their tabs. As Caitlyn and Bekki weaved their way to the front door, Kimberly shifted through the crowd toward the hall at the end of the bar leading to the bathrooms.
Exiting a few minutes later, she sighed at the mass of bodies between her and the door. Seating was such a great equalizer… the height difference between her and her friends was not so noticeable. But, standing, she did not doubt that statuesque Bekki would have been able to easily see, and even Caitlyn, who was shorter than Bekki, would have had no problem. Sandy was petite, but with her long yellow-blonde hair and cheerleader smile acting as Moses’ staff, the crowd would part for her.
Me? Not so much. Inwardly, she rolled her eyes as she came upon a group of men standing at the end of the bar completely blocking her exit. As she attempted to skirt around the gathering, one of the men moved slightly and trapped her with the bar on one side, his back directly in front of her, and more people pushing toward the bathrooms on the other side.
The man directly in front of her had longish hair, haphazardly brushed back as though it had only been finger combed after a shower. Easily a foot taller than her, she hesitantly placed her hand on his back, cautious about touching someone. “Excuse me. Can I get by?”
At her touch, he jolted and twisted around, but not before her fingertips felt the hard muscle underneath his shirt. Snatching her hand back, her gaze shot up to his deep blue eyes as he pierced her with his stare.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t get by.”
His intense gaze softened, and his lips curved into a smile. From the front, she could see that his long hair was truly just swept back from his face. Tattoos snaked down his muscular arms and peeked from the top of his shirt. He was unshaven, his facial hair caught between scruff and a beard. His nose was straight, his mouth perfectly formed, but it was his blue eyes that held her captive.
His brow lowered and she blinked, realizing he’d spoken, but her appreciation of his physical attributes had caused her to blank out. Sucking in a quick breath, she hoped the somewhat dim lights of the bar would keep her blush from flaming.
“I said that I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t realize I was blocking the way.”
His voice was smooth and clear, not a hint of inebriation. An almost-empty beer bottle dangled in his grasp, but it was either early in his evening or he held his alcohol well. He shifted to the side, placing his back against another man to clear the way for her.
Offering a smile, she nodded her appreciation and began to slide by when she was jostled by someone forcing their way through the crowd coming from the restroom hall. Bumped from behind, she slammed into the man and she emitted a squeak as his hands snapped out to catch her by the arms, keeping her from going down onto the floor.
As he steadied her on her feet, she was sure the dim lights could no longer hide her blush. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she gushed. “I’m kind of a klutz.”
“No apology necessary. It was that asshole’s fault. Are you okay?”
He lowered his head so that he was closer to her, but all that did was bring his mouth closer to hers. Forcing her eyes away from his mouth, she nodded. “Yes, yes. It was nothing.”
“Can I buy you a drink?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to refuse, but she nodded, shocking herself. Rarely impulsive, and never when alone in a bar, it was his voice that drew her in. That—and his smile. And eyes. And muscles. Blinking, she tried to force her mouth to work when her brain was once again categorizing his attributes. “Okay, um… sure. I was getting ready to leave since my friends have left, but I’ve only had one glass of wine.”