“I consider those things the basics.”
“Okay, so where were the men in your life falling short?”
She took a thoughtful sip of her drink. “Hmm,” she hummed. “Frankly, in the children and finding me irresistible departments. A little bit in the tidy area. And so far the men I thought were trusting simply didn’t give a crap. And that commitment thing? I’ve run through a long line of cheaters. Which I guess implies they were also dishonest.”
She smiled at him. “This isn’t Kool-Aid. I’m a little light-headed.”
“Good. That’ll get your mind off the wedding. So, Brandy, have you compared your counter-list to your list of requirements? You’re falling for handsome, funny men who make plenty of money and are good at number one.” He smiled at her shocked expression—his deduction was completely accurate. “I’m way smarter than I look.”
“You’re not at all drunk. That was sharp.”
His smile vanished and he looked into her eyes. “I’m really glad you didn’t wait for the bouquet.”
“I think I am, too,” she said.
“You’re beautiful when you laugh.”
“You’re coming on to me,” she said. “It was subtle before.”
“I’ve had at least three drinks,” he said. “My subtlety is out the window.”
“At least?”
“There was wine with dinner.”
He lifted her hand, turned it over and pressed a small kiss onto her wrist. The look on her face was one of surprise, maybe apprehension. She started to pull her hand away, but he held it. He slipped his other hand up her arm to cup her elbow and put his lips softly against the inside of her elbow. When he lifted his head and connected with her gaze, he found those warm brown eyes had grown darker. He put a hand on her waist and pressed his lips softly to her bare shoulder; he heard her inhale slowly. He leaned closer, his lips hovering just above hers. He could feel her breath on his mouth. “Brandy,” he whispered. She made a small sound as her eyelids slowly fell and he pressed his lips gently against hers. Her lips trembled beneath his so he pressed a bit more firmly, but he didn’t hold them long. When he pulled back he said, “I have excellent manners.”
“You seem to,” she agreed. “I must be drunk. I’m kissing a stranger in a bar.”
“I think we’ve gotten to be pretty good friends,” he said. “We know each other’s darkest, most embarrassing secrets.”
“We don’t know each other well enough to be kissing in a bar.”
“Listen,” he said. “Did I mention I’m staying here tonight? I probably shouldn’t be driving. I’m going to check in and then come back here. We could have a drink or seltzer together, or I could take you upstairs, if you want to. We could watch a movie or something. Talk. Have drinks and not worry about anything. Whatever you like. Be less alone.”
“That would be completely nuts,” she said. “You do this sort of thing a lot?”
He shook his head. “Not in years. When I was younger, I was game for a lot of stupid things, but then eventually you grow up a little. Something like this didn’t occur to me when I came over here, bought you a drink. What do you think?”
“I think you’re lying,” she said. “And, it’s not a good idea.”
“I’m telling the truth. I’m not drunk, but I shouldn’t be driving. I’m getting a room.”
“And when you come back and I’m not here?”
“You’d be playing it smart, I guess. But don’t go. Wait for me and if you’d rather not go upstairs, let’s stay here a while longer, close the place down, then I’ll get you a cab, just to be safe. I like you. We’ll just sit here, talk. Laugh. Maybe kiss.”
“In a bar?” she asked, but she smiled.
He laughed. “Look around. There’s no one here,” he said. He gave her hand a squeeze and stood from the table. He leaned toward her and let his lips graze her cheek. “I’ll be right back. Wait for me—I’m not going to force you to go upstairs, you’re completely safe.” He jerked his head over his shoulder toward the bartender. “He’s watching, and he knows me—I’m certainly not going to drag you out of here.” He smiled. “Like I said, I have very good manners.”
He left the bar and did exactly as he said he would, checking in to the hotel. It was late, there was no one else around the registration desk and it took just minutes. They gave him a king-size bed in a no-smoking room with a Jacuzzi tub and a wet bar. He asked for a shaving kit and when he popped the lid on the little cardboard box, he found the essentials—disposable razor, shaving cream, toothpaste, brush, comb, condoms. Then he walked back to the bar and looked in. Of course, she was gone, as any woman with an ounce of sense would be. He was thoroughly disappointed; he shouldn’t have left the bar so soon, alone. But he should have expected this—he knew in five minutes she was intelligent and classy; such a woman wouldn’t go to a stranger’s hotel room.