by Jaci Burton
"Great. I've gotta go. I'll see you later."
He hung up, and she found herself staring at her phone.
That was the weirdest conversation ever.
But, whatever. This was what she wanted, right? She took a shower, dried her hair, and put on makeup, then studied her closet. She had no idea what she was going to wear to meet Kris.
It wasn't a date, per se, so she chose a pair of her favorite pants--her skinny black jeans--and a long black button-down silk top, then added her boots. A slinky, slimming effect, and when she topped the look off with her silver jewelry, she thought it added a nice touch.
It was a decent outfit for the bar, and if Kris was wearing his suit she wouldn't look like a slouch, but she also wouldn't be overdressed like she was expecting a date, either.
She actually had enough time to spare to grade more papers before leaving, but found it hard to concentrate, her thoughts straying to her non-date with Kris.
And to Bash.
It was odd he had fixed her up with someone so soon after their talk about her list. And so soon after he'd laid such a hot kiss on her. A kiss that, obviously, had meant nothing to him.
It meant nothing to her, either, because Bash wasn't her type at all. The kiss might have been hot and she might still be thinking about how it had made her feel, but feelings weren't always logical. Her list, however, was.
She put the papers away and headed to the bar, deciding to push all questions and negative thoughts aside so she could eagerly anticipate meeting a new man.
On the drive over, she found herself getting excited. In the parking lot, she applied her favorite lip gloss, looking at herself in the mirror. She smiled and mentally put on her most positive outlook.
"This could be the one, Chelsea," she said to her reflection, then got out of her car and went inside.
Since it was a weeknight, it wasn't too crowded. She spied Bash behind the bar and the guy in the suit across from him.
Oh, yes. He was fine-looking. Dark suit, sandy brown hair. She could tell from across the bar that he was tall and lean, and his suit fit well. Bash motioned to her so she did her sexiest walk, making sure to throw her shoulders back and hold her head up high.
Kris looked her way, smiled and stood. Bash was smiling, too, in that sarcastic, smug way he had.
She was going to ignore him and concentrate instead on the hot lawyer.
"Hey, Chelsea," Bash said.
"Bash."
"This is Kris Steele. Kris, Chelsea Gardner."
"Hello, Chelsea. Bash has told me a lot about you."
She managed a short glance at Bash before turning her attention back to Kris. "All good things, I hope."
"All good things. Would you like a drink?"
"I would, thank you. I'll have a glass of sauvignon blanc, please."
"I'll take care of that," Bash said, still sporting that smug smile.
"Why don't we get a table?" she suggested, hoping to sit somewhere Bash wouldn't eavesdrop.
"That's a great idea." Kris picked up their drinks and followed Chelsea to a booth she selected in a corner--one that would afford them privacy.
They settled into the booth.
"Bash tells me you're a lawyer. Contract law?"
"Yeah. I assume he told you I'm his lawyer."
"He mentioned it."
"We also went to college together. I've known him a lot of years. We hang out at the gym when I can get him to leave the bar, which isn't often."
Chelsea slanted her gaze over to Bash, who at least wasn't staring at them. He was busy carrying several cases of beer from the back of the bar to the front. But that didn't mean she was staring at the way the muscles in his arms bulged with the effort.
She turned her attention back to Kris. "Yes, he does seem to live here most of the time."
"It's a good business, and he's expanding it. But he needs a social life, too."
"He's got a dog now."
Kris smiled. "Yeah, I saw her. She's cute. Now he just needs to get away from the bar. Maybe find a woman and settle down."
She liked that Kris cared about his friends. It said a lot about his character. She sipped her wine and set it down on the table. "Well, maybe you can find a woman for him."
"Maybe I can. I know a lot of women."
There was a warning bell, but she decided to let that one slide. "Yet you're here with me."
He laughed. "I said I know a lot of women. Not women that are right for me."
"Really? Why aren't they right for you?"
"Various reasons. Temperament, likes and dislikes. I'm sure you know how it is. You can date a really nice woman, but realize she's not the right one for you."
What a perfect answer. She liked Kris. "So true. I've had a lot of experience with that."
He picked up his phone. "I'm wondering if you'd be interested in having dinner with me tonight. There's a great Asian fusion place that just opened in Tulsa. Do you like sushi?"
"I do. And I'd love to."
He made a quick call, then hung up. "We have reservations in an hour, so we have time to finish our wine."
They talked some more, about his job, and hers. He asked her a lot of questions about being a teacher, and they finally headed out. She took her car and followed him so he wouldn't have to drive her back to Hope.
The restaurant was in Brookside. Trendy, clean lines, with traditional Asian details yet modern at the same time. And everything smelled fantastic when they walked in. She'd heard about it and was dying to try the food.
They were led to a table for two and handed menus by the waitress. Chelsea ordered a sparkling water and Kris decided on sake. They sipped their drinks and discussed the menu.
"I don't know about you," she said, "but just reading the menu makes me hungry."
"I thought we'd have drinks for a while. Maybe start with some appetizers?"
"Sure." She checked the appetizer menu. "What looks good to you?"
"You choose. I can eat anything."
She decided on a mixed platter for two people, since it contained a combination of several items. And when she ordered the appetizer, Kris ordered more sake.
"Are you sure you don't want something other than water?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine, but thanks."
She asked him about his job. He told her one of the things he liked about contract law was that once he had made partner, his work hours settled and became more regular, which meant his life became his own again.
Score one for her list. Regular work hours.
"Yeah, the associates put in all the long hours at the firm, just like I had to do when I first joined. It's a pain in the ass, but you have to pay your dues."
He signaled the waitress for another drink.
"I'm sure it was hard, having to work so much."
He smiled. "Part of the job, you know? I'm sure you work just as hard."
"Well, I don't pull all-nighters. But there are a lot of nights and weekends spent doing lesson plans and grading papers."
"I'll bet. Still, it's admirable work you do."
The waitress brought their appetizers and Kris's drink.
"This looks amazing," she said.
"Would you like to order dinner now?" their waitress asked.
"I think we're fine for the moment," Kris said. "But you can go ahead and bring me another sake."
Chelsea frowned. There was a full one sitting right in front of him. And he was already ordering another?
He also didn't scoop any of the appetizer onto the plate the waitress had provided.
"Which one would you like to try? A spring roll, maybe?"
"No, I'm good for now. You go ahead."
She decided to go ahead and eat, since she was hungry, but she was going to keep a strong eye on Kris.
Oddly enough, he exhibited no signs of being drunk, despite having had four sakes and the wine at Bash's bar. Granted, she was a lightweight as far as alcohol went, but still, she knew what a powerful punc
h sake packed. After four and no food, one would think he'd feel the effects.
When she finished the appetizer, the waitress came to clear their plates.
"Would you like to order dinner now?"
Chelsea looked over at Kris.
"Sure."
She was relieved he was going to eat. They placed their orders, and Chelsea cringed when Kris switched his drink to vodka on the rocks.
He had three of those before dinner was served.
It was a weeknight. He had to work tomorrow. If she'd had that much to drink, Kris would have to carry her out of the restaurant.
Still, he conversed normally with her. He seemed totally relaxed, but otherwise didn't appear to be overly drunk.
It was a little unnerving.
And when dinner arrived, she hoped maybe eating some food would suspend the drinking. It didn't. As soon as their waitress delivered the food, he ordered another vodka. He drank all through dinner--which he ate very little of--then ordered an after-dinner port.
The man was an alcohol-imbibing machine.
He walked her outside to her car after dinner. He didn't weave or bob or act in any way like he was drunk. But Chelsea was very concerned about him.
"I had a great time tonight, Chelsea."
She turned to face him. "Kris, I'm a little bit concerned about how much you had to drink tonight. Are you sure you're okay?"
He frowned. "What? Oh, sure. I'm fine. Don't even worry about that. I drink a lot. I think it's a throwback from my college days and all those long nights as an associate. But I can handle it."
Yeah, right. "How about I drive you home?"
He waved his hand. "Nah. I'm good. I just live a couple of blocks away."
"How about I follow you home?"
He laid his hand on the roof of her car. "Is that your way of saying you'd like to come over?"
Not a chance in hell. "Actually, I'm more interested in you making it home safely. Then I need to get home. Tomorrow's a school day, you know."
"That's sweet." He tipped her chin and leaned in for a kiss. The alcohol from his breath nearly knocked her over. "How about I call you tomorrow?"
She couldn't unlock her car quickly enough. "You do that. Thank you again for dinner."
"You're welcome."
She got in her car and followed him to his house. True to his word, he lived only a few blocks from the restaurant. When he pulled into the driveway of a very nice house, she waited long enough for him to drive into the garage and lower his garage door. Then she drove off.
Good God. That was the most bizarre date she'd ever been on. On paper, he was perfect--he ticked off nearly every item on her list.
Except for all the damn alcohol. She wondered if Bash knew.
When she got home, she realized it was only nine thirty and that Bash would still be at the bar. Still, she had to know. She sent him a text message.
Home from date with Kris.
About fifteen minutes later he replied.
How did it go?
She replied with, I'd prefer to talk to you on the phone or in person about it.
Her phone rang about five minutes later. It was Bash.
"What happened?"
"He's a really nice guy, Bash. But did you know he drinks?"
Bash paused before answering her. "Well, yeah. What do you mean, he drinks?"
She told him about all the sakes and vodkas and port.
"Jesus. I didn't know he drank that much. Was he drunk?"
"That's the odd part. He never slurred his words, he walked just fine, and I followed him home to make sure he got there okay. He seems to function all right. But honestly, I was worried."
"Shit. I'm sorry, Chelsea. I had no idea. It's been a long time since he and I have hung out. I knew he could always pound down the alcohol, but not like that. You have to know I'd never set you up with a heavy drinker."
"I know you wouldn't. And he was a great guy. It's not like he treated me badly during the date. It was just the drinking--that's just not normal, Bash."
"I agree. Again, I'm sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about. I just felt it was something you should know about, since not only is he your friend, he's also your attorney."
"I'll talk to him."
"Oh, don't do that. I'd hate to betray a confidence."
"Okay. I'll do one better. I'll take him out one night soon. If we're drinking together and it's behavior I notice, then I can call him on it, friend to friend."
That sounded like a much better idea. "Thank you."
"Sorry, Chelsea. I'll try to do better the next time I set you up with the perfect guy."
She laughed. "No problem. Good night, Bash."
"Night."
He hung up, and she felt bad for having to tell Bash one of his friends might have a problem. But she would have felt worse if she hadn't told him.
She trusted Bash to do the right thing where Kris was concerned.
Another date, another wrong guy.
She headed into her bedroom to get ready for bed.
Chapter 7
A week after his conversation with Chelsea, Bash took advantage of having a rare night off. He checked the time, knew Chelsea's classes were over for the day, and texted her.
Are you at home?
It took her five minutes to answer with: Still at school. Cheerleading practice.
He grinned at the thought. He knew she coached Hope High's cheerleaders, but an instant mental image of her in a cheerleader outfit flashed in his head.
Yeah, rein it in, Bash.
He grabbed Lou and got in his truck. It was a short drive from his place over to the high school. He parked in the lot, put Lou on her leash, and checked out the football field first. They weren't there, so he headed into the gym, the sounds of girls shouting telling him he'd found them.
He opened the door and walked in. Chelsea was sitting on the bleachers watching the cheerleaders practice.
She'd been a cheerleader in high school--she'd had her first year on the squad during his senior year. He could still vividly remember how she'd looked in her green and white uniform, cheering on the sidelines while he'd played football and basketball.
Chelsea hadn't really been on his radar at the time. Back then, he'd been dating Erin Phillips, another senior. But who could have missed the hot redhead? Even then, she'd been noticeable. Long legs and mouthy as hell. That hadn't changed all these years later.
Now? She was a goddamn knockout.
Still mouthy as hell, too.
Since he was behind the girls and Chelsea, he leaned against the wall and watched for a while.
"Charissa, you need to straighten your form. Your legs are wobbly," Chelsea said, having set her paperwork aside as the girls went through one of their cheer routines. "And Emily, you seem to be one count behind everyone else. Let's go through it again."
The cheerleaders were good. It took a lot of strength to do these routines.
Plus, they were loud. He remembered hearing them on the sidelines when he played. It had always given the players a boost to know the cheerleaders--and the crowd--had been behind them during the games. The one thing Hope High had always had was a lot of spirit. It was good to see it continued all these years later.
"Okay, that's much better," Chelsea said. "Take a five-minute water break, and then we'll go through the second set. You want your form to be perfect for the basketball game Friday night. We want to out-cheer Minnow High."
Bash pushed off the wall and headed toward Chelsea. Her eyes widened.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, then bent down and picked up Lou, petting her as she cradled her in her arms.
"I had the night off, so I thought I'd drop by to talk about Kris."
Chelsea looked around. The girls were all off getting drinks, though Bash noticed several of them glancing their way.
"Did you talk to him?"
"I went out with him the other night. You're right--he's like a functioning al
coholic. I can hold a lot of liquor, but the amount he drinks without showing signs of getting drunk is unbelievable. I told him I was concerned about his drinking."
"What did he say?"
"That he could handle it, and that he's always had that much to drink, which isn't true."
Chelsea sighed. "So what's next?"
"I already called his parents and his brother. They're aware, and they said they've discussed it with him as well. He blew them off, telling them the same thing--that he can handle it."
"I'm sorry, Bash."
He shrugged. "You can't help someone who doesn't want to admit he has a problem. All I can do is let him know I'm there for him if and when he decides he wants help."
She laid her hand on his arm. "You're a good friend."
"So are you. Thanks for letting me know. I don't know how I didn't notice it before. Maybe because he and I haven't been out together lately."
"If you haven't been around him for a long night of drinking, you probably wouldn't notice it."
He laid his hand over hers. "I sure as hell would have never set you up with him. I feel bad about that."
"Don't. Nothing bad happened. It's just something I noticed and thought you'd want to know about."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She turned to look at the cheerleaders. "I should get back to the girls."
"Okay. So, you want to have dinner later? I figure I should at least buy you dinner to make up for setting you up with the wrong guy."
She cocked a brow. "You don't owe me dinner, Bash."
"I know I don't. But I want to."
She shrugged. "Okay. I have another hour here, then I'm done."
"Sounds good." He glanced at the clock on the gym wall. "I'll pick you up about six thirty?"
"Perfect." She handed Lou back to Bash, giving the dog a scratch behind its ears. "See you later, sweetheart."
"Okay, honey," Bash said, then winked.
Chelsea shook her head and walked off.
Bash made his way back to the truck and slid Lou inside. She snuggled up on his lap. He smiled down at her. "Guess I should take you home, let you romp outside for a while, then feed you dinner before I have to meet Chelsea," he said, then realized he was starting to have regular conversations with Lou. "And don't tell anyone about our talks, okay?"
Lou stared up at him silently.
"See? I knew I could count on you."
He started the truck and pulled away.
"Who was the hot guy, Ms. Gardner?"
"Is he your new boyfriend? And how come we didn't know about him?"
"His dog is so cute. A guy with a tiny Chihuahua? Oh, gosh, how adorable is that?"
