Safe Distance - Megan Green

“Now, what is a pretty thing like you doing sitting at the bar all by yourself?”

My head turns at the sound of the deep voice, my eyes landing on an arrogant smile. I quickly scan the rest of his face. Crystal-blue eyes. Nose that’s just slightly too big for his face. Defined cheekbones. Megawatt smile. Dimpled chin. He looks to be in his early thirties. Not old by any means, but at least seven or eight years older than my twenty-three years. He slides onto the stool to my right. Even though he’s sitting, I still have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. He signals the bartender and leans into me. “What are you drinking tonight, gorgeous?”

I slant my body to the left, trying to widen the gap between us. This guy clearly doesn’t understand the concept of personal space. I glance down at his attire. Suit, tie, perfectly polished shoes. Everything about this guy screams confidence. Gorgeous, well dressed, and if the watch on his wrist is any indication, loaded. Every girl’s fantasy, right?

Wrong.

I look past him, scanning the crowd for Amanda. Her boyfriend, Justin, tends bar here on weekends. He’s the reason we’re here tonight. He’s also the reason I’m sitting here alone. His break started a few minutes ago, and he and Amanda immediately took off toward the dance floor.

Mr. Perfect reaches out and brushes my hair over my shoulder, his fingers lingering on my collarbone. Clearly oblivious to my silence and current search of rescue, he trails his fingers along the side of my neck. I shudder.

Mistaking my revulsion for desire, he leans in closer. When I turn to face him, I see his eyes drift shut as he draws near. His mouth forms a small pucker and he stops just inches from my face. I stare at that mouth. Is this guy for real?

His eyes flicker open, those baby blues peering up at me through hooded lids. When he sees where my eyes are settled, the corners of his mouth curl up into a wry grin. I pull back just as he tries to close the distance between us.

He doesn’t take kindly to my rejection. Darkness fills his eyes and a small frown tugs at the corners of his lips. But he quickly regains his composure, laughing at me softly.

“Hard to get, eh? I like that.” He winks, continuing to laugh like we’re both in on some private joke. I look around again. Where in the hell is Amanda?

The bartender finally makes his way over to us, giving me a temporary reprieve from the man’s scrutiny.

“My usual, Jimmy. And another of whatever this pretty lady is having.”

Jimmy nods curtly and turns to prepare the man’s drink order. As he moves, I see a slight roll of his eyes. I’m guessing this isn’t the first time my new friend here has tried to pick someone up in this place.

The man interrupts my thoughts. “I’m Bruce. Phillips. Phillips and Lambert Real Estate. You may have seen our signs around town. Best in the biz, if I do say so myself. Buying or selling, we’re in a class by ourselves.” He extends his card to me. I stare at it blankly. That awful slogan is plastered across the top. When I don’t reach to take it, he shrugs and tucks it back inside his jacket pocket.

“So, cat got your tongue? Do you have a name, sweetheart?”

I decide I’ve had enough of his attempted sweet talk and those heated glances. I turn and place both elbows on the bar, cradling my drink between my fingers. Without meeting his gaze, I take a sip and finally put him out of his misery.

“Not interested.”

“Well, that sure is an interesting name. Can’t say I’ve heard that one before.” He gives me a sideways grin, his attempts at charm failing miserably on me. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, instead letting out an exasperated sigh.

“Look, I get it. I get the cocky attitude and the confident swagger. I’m sure you’ve got women falling down around you. Begging you to take them home, to give them one night they’ll never forget. And so on and so forth,” I say with a dismissive wave of my hand. This time I’m unable to contain my eye roll. I turn on my seat, looking him square in the eye.

“I’m sure your next line will be that any girl in this place would kill to be in my position right now. So why don’t