Charity pressed behind them and smiled at Elijah as she had to squeeze by him to get to the empty stool beside him. “Hi again.”
“Hello.” He flashed her one those dashing smiles only he seemed capable of doing. He wore a grey long-sleeved top and jeans. Hot in scrubs, hot dressed up and in casual clothes. He could have been a model instead of a doctor. She almost laughed out loud at the thought.
The bartender walked over and cleared the empty bottles. “What can I get for you, ladies?”
“Do you have Captain Morgan?” When the bartender nodded, Charity smiled at him. “Awesome. Can I get a spiced rum and Coke?”
“Sure thing, love.” He turned to Julie, who ordered a vodka and cranberry.
“Spiced rum?” Elijah turned in his chair. “I took you for a sweet beverage drinker.”
She grimaced. “That’s Julie’s bit. She likes the sweet stuff.”
Julie leaned over Simon. “There’s nothing wrong with girlie-drinks.”
Simon held her back. “Now that’s sexist. What did those drinks ever do to you?”
“Give me horrible hangovers,” Julie replied.
The bartender returned with their drinks and more bottles for the boys. They ordered pizza and wings and sat back to wait.
“We tried to get a table, but the place has been busy since we got here.” Elijah leaned toward her so Charity could hear him talk.
“How’d your afternoon go?” she asked him. She tried to stare at his face but her eyes seemed to have their own agenda.
“Good. Your father scrubbed in for my last surgery. Simon and I finished and decided to grab a few beers.”
“How long have you guys been here?” A twinge of guilt shot through her as she wondered if her father had hoped to spend the evening with her or if he’d just wanted to stay at the hospital. Her dad never asked her and she had no intention of offering.
“About an hour. Halfway through, Simon decided he wanted of us all to hang out so he called Julie. I hope you didn’t have other plans.”
Did guys talk? Would he have told Simon about their kiss last week? What else had he said? Charity had to avoid staring at his mouth as he took a drink from his beer bottle. Tantalizing. She wondered if she pressed her lips to his, would his be hot or maybe cool with a slightly beer taste. She blinked and almost rolled her eyes. How old was she? She signalled the bartender for another rum and Coke. “Julie and I were checking if there were any masquerade shops or places to order from.”
Elijah grinned, ear to ear. “Really? You liked my idea?” He touched her leg and let his hand remain on her thigh. “Did you find anything?”
She enjoyed his excitement and the zing which ran up her leg and deep into her belly that came from his touch. “There isn’t much selection around but online it’s a diamond mine.” She laughed at her own use of words. “I ordered a few things so I can show my dad when I’m here next. I think a Diamond Masquerade would be a huge hit and a load of fun.”
“So do I.”
Would he want the mask to hide from those he dated before? She crossed the thought from her mind. She wanted to enjoy tonight, flirt, and just see where the night led them. “Have you been to Hidden Beat?”
Julie handed out pl
ates the bartender had just dropped off. She also ordered everyone another round of drinks. “What is it?”
The pizza came and everyone grabbed a slice.
“It’s a club not far from here. Kind of one of those underground places that only the locals know about. I can’t believe you haven’t been.” She glanced at Elijah. “What about you, have you been?”
“No, but I’m game to go.”
Charity grabbed a napkin and wiped a bit of sauce from her lip. The bartender set their drinks down and winked at her as he walked away. She took a sip to sample the new glass. It was twice as strong as the last one.
Julie laughed. “Maybe we should stay here. Looks like Charity’s getting hit on by the bartender. She could use a bit of action.”
Charity’s cheeks burned. She was too embarrassed to look at Elijah.
Simon, being Simon, saved the day. “Julie, are you jealous? Someone getting more attention than you? Do you want me to slip around the bar and serve us? I can hit on you if you’d like.”