“Nah, but I’m sure I’ll crave some fries or something later,” he finally got out.
“You got it.” I turned to leave but paused when fingers brushed my wrist. I looked over my shoulder, holding a knife to my heart and threatening it to calm the fuck down.
“I’ll admit, Curly’s cute, but I think I like Maddie better.”
Licking my lips, I swallowed, meeting his gaze, “You know, you’re the only one who calls me that.”
Garrett’s eyes flared, and his knuckles whitened as he gripped the bottle in his hand, “Then I definitely like it better.”
My mouth opened, but realizing I had nothing to say that wouldn’t give away the butterflies taking flight inside of me, I snapped it shut, nodding to Harry and high-tailing it out of there.
I checked on the rest of my tables and then promptly staked out a hiding spot on the far side of the bar.
Nate whistled. “That man was looking at you like you were a snack he wants to partake in three times a day. I could feel the angst from here.”
I groaned, lowering my head to my arms. Of course, Garrett would not only show up when I wasn’t prepared, but also turn up the heat less than a full week after my self-revelation about being in love with him.
Tipping my head to the side and gazing up at my friend, I asked, “You really don’t recognize him?”
He raised his brows, grabbing a frosted mug and filling it with the perfect amount of beer to foam ratio. “No, why? Who is he?”
I groaned again, cursing Nate and his playboy habit of never remembering a single face or name. “Do you remember that night when I downed a guy’s beer over his lap?”
“No. Shut up. That’s the same guy?”
I nodded pathetically, knowing I needed to pick my head up and go check on my customers, but not having the courage to do it yet.
“And you still haven’t put him out of his misery? Curly, that man wants you.”
“I know,” I said, flicking pretzel crumbs off the bar that’d probably fallen from someone’s mouth. “He’s already asked me to play the benefit game.”
“And you haven’t—okay, you’re officially, certifiably insane, but we’ll circle back to that. I meant that man wants you, as in, wants you forever and ever.”
I shoved off the bar, steadying myself from the sudden change in equilibrium. “No, he doesn’t, Nate. He already told me to my face it would be a ‘no feelings’ deal.”
Nate flipped a few shakers, making some random concoction that was sure to be delicious. “Even better then. You always whine about not having the time to date anyway. So, what’s holding you back?”
The fact I was in love with him, and touching him would kill what was left of my beaten-down heart? Was that a good reason?
He popped the caps off two more bottles and slid them over to me, “Do something crazy, Curly. You’re a mom, and a great one, but don’t forget you’re also a woman. You have needs, and that matters too.”
I plucked them up, “Since when did you get all philosophical and shit?”
He paused mid-shake, sucking on his teeth and clicking his tongue. “Curly, I got all kinds of different sides to me. How else do you think I get all my dates?”
I rolled my eyes. Do something crazy, huh? I didn’t judge anyone who enjoyed one-night stands. Nate made it his second profession, and I loved his face. But could I move Garrett’s and my friendship in that direction and not want more? That’s what I wasn’t sure about.
But as I approached his table, and his eyes flicked up my body, I almost yelled, “Goddammit, yes!” and dragged him by his collar to the bathroom. Somehow, I don’t think getting fired was the level of crazy Nate had in mind.