The Sweet Talker (Boston Hawks Hockey #1) - Gina Azzi Page 0,81
closer. Rolling his lips together as if to contain his laughter, his eyes widen with curiosity that washes over me like approval. Like I really earned his attention. “Sweetheart, you would know if I was picking you up. And there wouldn’t be any trying on my part.” He pulls out his wallet from the back pocket of his designer distressed jeans and places it on top of the bar.
“Ouch,” I grin, pouring his shots, enjoying this banter way more than I should. I mean, what kind of a woman brazenly jokes with a Hollywood actor? The Hollywood actor? Even though his words just shot me down, they were playful, and his attention never wavered from my face. In fact, with each passing second, his aloofness gives way to friendliness. “Well, I’m sure the women here can’t wait to welcome you home with open arms.”
He pulls a black AmEx from his wallet and pauses, his mouth curling into a smirk. “I’m just meeting my brother and friend for drinks. If I was looking for a real homecoming, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be downtown at Lush.” He tilts his head, his gaze still on mine, as he mentions the lavish nightclub known for its exclusivity and bottle service.
I smirk back, winking at him. “The night’s still young, Hollywood. I’ll have someone bring over your shots and beers.” I grasp his credit card and turn, about to start a tab for his table.
I feel his gaze, electric and searching, settle between my shoulder blades, but I refuse to give him the chance to ruin the flirty exchange we just had. I’d never admit it out loud, but it’s the type of memory I’ll play over in my mind.
“Holy shit.” Charlie bumps her hip against mine once Holt is gone. “Eli Holt looked like he wanted to reach over the bar and tear your clothes off.”
“That’s unbelievably dramatic, even for you.” I move over to the ice chest to shovel ice into a bucket.
“No, I’m serious. He was into you.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes. “He’s a Hollywood A-lister, Charlie. Engaging with people is probably one of his job requirements.”
“He didn’t look over at me like that. And I’m a real fan.” She huffs, pointing at herself before brandishing her index finger in my face. “You should go talk to him. Maybe even go home with him. That was one hell of a meet cute.”
Cracking up at her forward, not to mention ridiculous, suggestion, I grip bottles of Heineken by their necks and bury them in the ice bucket. “You’re officially banned from watching any more romantic comedies on Netflix. Besides, he said if he wanted to go home with a woman tonight, he’d be at Lush.”
“Damn.” Charlie frowns and then shakes her head, glancing at him seated in his booth. “I don’t think he meant it.”
“Charlie.”
“Look, all I’m saying is that you need to have fun. The past few months have been super scary for you –”
“I’m fine.” I cut her off so we don’t have to have this conversation again.
“I know you’re fine. It was just a cyst. But it really spooked you.” Charlie lowers her voice, her touch on my forearm filled with sympathy that I shake off.
“Of course it spooked me, Charlie. With my family history and Dad’s vision worsening —” I pause, my hand slipping into the back pocket of my jeans. My fingertips collide with the sharp point of the folded-up paper containing my BRCA gene test results to see if I have the mutation that causes an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
I’ve been carrying it around for nine days and still haven’t worked up the courage to share my results with Dad. Or Charlie.
“I know. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant, what’s the harm in having some fun? You’re always talking about your business and work as the reasons why you can’t seriously date. You always say you just want the casual, no-strings-attached guy.”
I raise my eyebrows at her, beseeching her to make her point.
She tips her chin at the booth where Holt sits, scrolling on his phone. “What could be more fun and have fewer strings than him?”
I laugh at the absurdity of her explanation. “I love you for looking out for me. But Eli Holt is, well…” I wave a hand in his general direction, “him. And I’m me. I enjoyed our little banter at the bar, but that’s the end of it. Here, deliver these to his table.” I solidify my point by pressing the tray of shot glasses in her hands.
She sighs, turning toward Eli’s booth, the tray balanced on her palm.
However, as she approaches his table and laughs at whatever he says, a pang of curiosity cuts through my chest.
What’s so funny? What are they talking about?
Oh my God, Zo! He’s here for a drink. You’re a bartender.
Your exchange meant nothing. To him or to you.
Forcing myself to get back to work, I slide a free bourbon toward Fred for his patience and scan the bar for other customers.
Read Broken Lies now!
Also by Gina Azzi
Boston Hawks Hockey:
The Sweet Talker (Jan 27)
The Risk Taker (March 1)
The Faker (April 21)
Second Chance Chicago Series:
Broken Lies
Twisted Truths
Saving My Soul
Healing My Heart
The Kane Brothers Series:
Rescuing Broken (Jax’s Story)
Recovering Beauty (Carter’s Story)
Reclaiming Brave (Denver’s Story)
My Christmas Wish
(A Kane Family Christmas
+ One Last Chance FREE prequel)
Finding Love in Scotland Series:
My Christmas Wish
(A Kane Family Christmas
+ One Last Chance FREE prequel)
One Last Chance (Daisy and Finn)
This Time Around (Aaron and Everly)
The College Pact Series:
The Last First Game (Lila’s Story)
Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome (Mia’s Story)
All the While (Maura’s Story)
Me + You (Emma’s Story)
Standalone
Corner of Ocean and Bay
Acknowledgments
I dove into this series hard and enjoyed every minute of writing The Sweet Talker. As always, there are some very special people to thank. Without them, this book would never have come to fruition.
To Becca Mysoor - THANK YOU! Chatting and plotting with you is one of the most enjoyable parts of writing a new book. I love your energy, your constant support, but most of all, your friendship.
Erica Russikoff - I’m so grateful we connected (thanks Becca!) this year. Your feedback on Noah and Indy’s story were so valuable to me. Thank you.
Virginia Carey - You’re amazing! Thank you for your attention to detail, sharp eye, and quick reading. The turnaround for this book was fast and you were so on it!
Kate Farlow, Y’all. That Graphic. - What can I say? I adore these covers but even more, am so grateful for your help navigating the cover process. I know I didn’t make it easy with all the changes but in the end, I’m so proud of this book and it wouldn’t be what it is without your creative design. Thanks!
To Give Me Books Promotions and Candi Kane PR - A million thank yous for all of your support, organizational skills, and help in launching this book baby into the world. I love working with you ladies.
To the best ever, MPP, THANK YOU for everything. I would drop all the balls without your keeping them up in the air. I adore you much.
To RAM 2020, especially Skye and Becca - all my heartfelt thanks. The conference is incredible, the knowledge is invaluable, the friendships are priceless, and the motivation is so necessary and appreciated as we roll into 2021.
To my family, Tony, Aiva, Rome, and Luna - all my love always. You make my world go round.
About the Author
Gina Azzi writes Contemporary Romance with relatable, genuine characters experiencing real life, love, friendships, and obstacles. She is the author of Boston Hawks Hockey series, Second Chance Chicago series, Finding Love in Scotland series, The Kane Brothers series, The College Pact series, and Corner of Ocean and Bay.
A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Say hey to her on social media or through www.ginaazzi.com.
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