License to Date Read Free

Propping myself onto the navy-blue and gold patterned chair at the bar, I pulled out my cell to text Chase. If he was available now then we could start the date early and we could end it early.   Brilliant idea.
    “Would you like something to drink?” a smooth male voice asked.
    The bartender appeared in my peripheral vision, but I kept my eyes fixed on my keypad as I ordered, “A Geoffries Martini, please?”
    “Your wish is my command,” he said, then stepped away.
    If only he could actually grant wishes. Then maybe I’d get free labor, no strings attached. A bartender-genie, that’s what I needed. . . .  
    The bartender shook my drink, ice clinking around the shaker. “Waiting for friends?”
    “No, I—” My mouth froze when my gaze connected with deep blue eyes that sent an electric jolt through me. Heat curled my toes and my mind went blank. “Um, what?”
    The corner of his mouth lifted. “Just asked if you’re meeting anyone.”
    “Yes, a date.” I cleared my throat, trying not to focus on how the bartender’s tousled dark hair made his sapphire-blue eyes stand out even more. After all, I couldn’t invite him to be date number three now that I’d told him I was on a date. Or could I . . . ?  
    His brows came together as he poured pink liquid into a martini glass. “You don’t sound too thrilled about your date. This a set up?”
    “I’m looking forward to my date,” I protested.  
    Not a lie. I was looking forward to having it, then having it be over.
    “I don’t buy it.” He set the cocktail in front of me, then gave an inquisitive side-glance that turned my insides liquid. “You look more annoyed than excited. Why don’t you tell me what this date is really about?”  
    Wrapping my fingers around my glass, I ignored the flutters in my belly, and the desire to tell him everything . “You don’t want to hear about my problems. I’m sure you’re super busy.”  
    He leaned onto the bar, bringing those mesmerizing eyes level with mine. “Not terribly.”
    With him so close, I breathed in his musky scent and my heart jumped into my throat. “Are you this attentive to everyone you serve?”
    His gaze left my eyes, trailing down to where my long red strands rested over my shoulder. “Only the beautiful redheads.”
    A burst of laughter escaped. “You did not just say that.”
    “Made you smile, didn’t I?” The corner of his mouth turned up revealing an adorable dimple. “No, really. What’s going on?”
    My smile faded and the past four months came crashing back, ending with the deal I’d made. “Like I said, just waiting for my date.”
    As if I’d confide in a man I’d known all of two minutes. Especially a guy with major charm and hypnotic blue eyes. Did he think I was that easy?
    “Excuse me a moment.” He tapped two fingers against the white granite countertop, then swiveled toward the other end of the bar to serve two women I hadn’t seen sit down.
    A sudden wave of disappointment crashed over me, which was ridiculous. I didn’t want to chat with the bartender. I wanted my date to arrive and then leave so I could scratch one date off my check-list. I scanned my phone to see if Chase had gotten my message and could come early.  
    No incoming texts. Sigh.
    With nothing else to do, my eyes drifted toward the bartender whose back was to me. No harm in stealing a quick peek as he mixed the ladies’ drinks, right? Also no harm in admiring the way his white shirt stretched over broad shoulders, his black vest tapered down to a trim waist, and rested nicely over his snug-fitted pants.  
    The hot bartender clearly worked out.
    Giggling erupted at the end of the bar and my eyes flicked to the two women, who fluttered their fingers at me. My gaze traveled to their faces and my jaw dropped open. “What the . . . ?”
    It was Ginger and Kristen.

 
     
    Chapter Two
     
    My stomach tightened as Kristen and Ginger slipped onto the bar stools next to me. I rolled my eyes.