“Yes,” Angie deadpanned. “And why the hell not? Nate is yummy. I bet he knows exactly how to treat a girl—in and out of bed.”
“I had nothing to do with it,” Carolina assured me. “I’m just here for the company.”
“Maybe I don’t want to be set up,” I groaned. “I’m just fine without a man in my life, thanks.”
“Sweetie, you have a man in your life, whether you want to admit it or not.” Kin put an arm around me. “Stop wearing your heart out on Gray and try giving someone else a chance.”
I wanted to be mad at them, but she had a valid point; so did Angie. I stood there, sipping at my drink and watching Nate as he worked. From time to time, he would glance my way and wink, which made my cheeks instantly fill with pink, but the more he did it, the more I liked it.
Carolina had to go, so Kin and Angie walked her out so she could grab a cab. I gave her a hug goodbye and stayed where I was, curious about this Nate guy. He didn’t flirt with every chick who came up to the bar like I had expected him to, if for no other reason but to get a better tip. Instead, he was completely professional with everyone, male and female alike. He laughed and talked to everyone, but if anyone tried to flirt or touch him, he quickly found something else to do.
I liked that. A lot.
A few minutes after the others had left me there, Nate came back over to refill my drink. “All alone?”
I bit into the inside of my bottom lip and shrugged. “They walked Carolina out and should be back soon.”
“Give me your phone,” he urged, tugging it out of my hand.
After only a small hesitation, I released it, and he showed me what he was doing as he punched his information into my contact list. When he was done, he texted himself so he could have my number and then handed the phone back.
“Want to grab something to eat tomorrow night?” He must have read my continued hesitation, because he smiled reassuringly. “Nothing heavy, little Kassa. It’s just dinner.”
I grimaced. “The last date I had ended pretty…explosively.”
His bluish-green eyes narrowed. “How so?”
I lowered my lashes so he couldn’t see the memories in my eyes just in case. I pushed the image of me and Gray in my car from my head. “The guy wasn’t as nice as he seemed to be,” I told him instead.
“I get that,” he said with a nod, his expression serious. “I’m not going to tell you I’m a good guy because there are days that I’m a total dickhead. But I like you already, and I would like the chance to show you that, sometimes, I am a nice guy after all.”
I found myself leaning forward, a smile teasing at my lips. “So…tomorrow? Seven?”
His grin was infectious. “Seven it is.”
“What’s happening at seven?” a new voice asked beside me.
I turned and found Sin standing beside me. “Hi, stranger,” I greeted, ignoring his question. “Where have you been hiding? I’ve been here for a week and haven’t seen you once.”
He draped an arm over my shoulder. “Been working, sweetheart. This is my first night off in a week.” He glanced back at Nate, who was standing up straighter now. “I’ll take a beer, man.”
Nate bent and pulled a beer out of the fridge below the bar. After popping the top off, he set it in front of Sin. “Call me, Kas,” he murmured with a wink as he went to take care of his other customers.
I watched him go for only a moment before turning ba
ck to Sin, who was watching me closely.
“You going out with that guy?” he asked.
My eyebrows lifted at his accusing tone. “It’s just a date. I’m not marrying the man, Sin.”
He took a deep swallow of his beer, but his gaze stayed on me the whole time.
I refused to squirm under his appraisal.
“Gray know about it?”
That made me laugh. “Gray has nothing to do with me dating anyone. It’s none of his business—or yours, either, for that matter.” I put my back against the bar so I could face him. “Let’s not talk about him anyway. Tell me what’s been going on with you. I kind of missed you.”