Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“Would you ladies like to have a drink with me? I’m finished here.”
Tori looked at me, and I felt Lucas’s eyes on me.
“There’s a place right around the corner that’s great.”
I didn’t know what to say. Lucas was flirting with me and probably wanted me to join him more than Tori. That was already rare, and I thought about Ryder. He was leaving tonight, and we weren’t that serious, were we? The sex between us was amazing and I liked him well enough, but I had the right to have a drink with a man if he asked.
“We’ll join you for a bit, Lucas,” Tori said. “I do have to work early in the morning, and this girl needs to put the finishing touches on her last few pieces.” Tori wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and I blinked at her. “It’s nine, Elyse. We should head home after the drink. Not stay out too late.”
What happened to the time? “Oh, sure. I didn’t realize how much time had passed.”
“Thank you for agreeing to join me,” Lucas said.
We all rose, and he shook our hands, holding onto mine for a beat longer. I gazed into his eyes and wondered what was happening before he pulled away and smiled at Tori. She took my arm, and we waited outside.
“Let me get this place closed up.” Lucas made quick work of shutting the lights off and setting the alarm before leading us out.
“He’s into you!” she whispered as Lucas quickly took a phone call.
“I… I don’t think so,” I hissed back as she smiled at me.
He told us the bar was just a block away, and Tori grabbed my hand as we followed him.
“Just relax and have a drink. I know you’re not going home with the guy, but there’s something about a woman getting some that brings the guys running. Enjoy the attention and remember what he told you back there.” She smiled at Lucas as he looked back at us, telling him we were right behind him.
He led us into a small bar to a table, and we ordered drinks. There was a pool table here and several big-screen TVs, and I looked at one to see the end of the hockey game. The score was in Ryder’s favor, and I smiled as they replayed a goal that he assisted with. I already missed him.
Lucas was intelligent, and we talked about art over a drink. He turned out to be the owner’s son, and it was evident that he’d grown up around it. He even admitted that he messed around with a few things himself, though not seriously. I asked him what he enjoyed and ended up talking for an hour.
I blinked when Tori touched my arm to get my attention, feeling the effects of the alcohol. “It’s ten, Elyse. We should get out of here so I can deal with work tomorrow.” I looked into her eyes, knowing that she worked all hours and the time didn’t matter. She smiled, and I blinked at the screen to see Ryder celebrating with his team on replay.
“I had no idea it was that late. That sounds good,” I agreed, and she smiled at me.
“Thank you for meeting me, ladies. I will see you next week. We’ll be in touch.”
We said our farewells, and I took Tori’s arm as we made our way to her car.
“You got into that. Do you like him?” she asked once we were locked inside the car.
“He’s an artist. That makes him interesting to me, but I have Ryder,” I replied slowly, thinking the night over. Lucas didn’t make me feel the same way as Ryder, but he was good to talk with.
“Well, I think he’ll be paying some attention to you over the next week. Lucas seems like a man who goes after what he wants.”
I agreed with her and watched as she drove to my place.
She pulled up and smiled at me. “Finish those paintings. You are going to be famous in a week.”
“Hardly.” I hugged her, and she watched as I walked to my door. I locked it behind me and dropped my stuff on the counter, letting out a yawn.
Tonight was so much. The preparation for the show and the attention that Lucas gave me confused my already twisted mind. Tori was always the one who men flocked to, not me. I had a guy who was into me, one who a lot of women would want. They might even be enjoying him while he was gone. I saw what he did to them at games, and I’d be a fool to think he was going right back to the hotel after games.
Ryder and I didn’t talk a lot but did send messages when we could. It depended on where he was and the time. Ryder was still present, and some of his words made me blush.