Wicked Flirt

by Kylie Gilmore

  Her heart kicked hard. Marcus sat at the bar too. His back was to her, in a collared light blue dress shirt that pulled tight across his broad back. He was talking to Josh Campbell, the bartender and manager of the place. Now that Marcus was in town Sunday through Wednesday, he must be hanging out with his local friends. She hadn’t run into him at the apartment building since he’d moved in two days ago. She could admit to a small pang of disappointment. He’d grown on her despite the rumors and her friends’ warnings.

  She dragged a bar stool over to the very end of the bar next to Hailey and peered down the bar at everyone. “Hey, ladies, how’s it going?”

  Mad piped up right away with a big smile. She was the youngest Campbell and a total tomboy. Her hair was growing out awkwardly, shaggy and nearly shoulder-length, dark brown on the top half, fire-engine red on the ends. She was letting it go back to her natural brunette for her upcoming wedding in June. “Hailey’s mom and my dad are shacking up. She’s moving in next weekend.”

  “Wow,” Lexi said, glancing at Hailey to see how she was taking the news.

  Hailey was unusually quiet, her long strawberry blond hair half hiding her face as she focused on petting little Rose sitting on her lap. That was when Lexi noticed Hailey’s pink fingernail polish was chipped, and three of her nails were short. Was she biting her nails? Holy shit. This was serious. Hailey never left the house unless she was perfectly made-up from head to toe, no detail overlooked. The woman probably slept with lipstick perfectly applied.

  Mad was downright cheerful. “They’ve been dating for five weeks, but it’s pretty serious.”

  That was fast. Maybe when you found someone late in life, you got serious faster. Both of them were old enough to have fully grown children.

  “It’s too soon,” Hailey said morosely. “I told her that.”

  Sabrina added her professional relationship counselor opinion. “They seem to be deeply in love. Living together is the next step of intimacy.”

  Mad slapped the bar top. “Marriage is right around the corner!”

  The women launched into much speculation over the possibility of a marriage between the two and how cute it was to see people their age so mushy with love. Hailey remained withdrawn.

  Lexi’s chest tightened in sympathy for Hailey. “You okay about your mom and Joe?” she whispered.

  “Of course,” Hailey said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I could use a drink, though. Josh is being so slow today.” She settled Rose back in her pink doggie purse before gesturing to Josh, probably because Josh didn’t like seeing her dog loose at the bar.

  Was Hailey unhappy because a possible marriage between her mom and Joe meant Hailey would be connected to her arch-nemesis Josh forever?

  Josh ambled over to them. He’d gotten a haircut, his dark brown hair short on the sides, longer on top, still sexily rumpled. He wore a red flannel shirt with worn jeans. His stubble was approaching beard territory and looked good on him.

  “Hey, ladies, what can I get you?” he asked.

  “I’ll have some pinot grigio,” Lexi said. “Thanks.”

  “Cranberry juice with vodka,” Hailey said firmly. “Light on the juice.”

  Josh gave her a sympathetic look. “Bad day?”

  Hailey pasted on her beauty-queen smile. It popped up in high-stress situations. “I’m fine.” Rose’s head popped up from Hailey’s doggie purse; she belatedly noticed Josh and started barking her head off. Her purple striped bow bounced comically in time.

  Josh bared his teeth at Rose, took a few more orders from their nearby friends, and went to get the drinks.

  Hailey murmured to Rose, taking her out of her purse and cuddling her close. Rose craned her neck around to growl at Josh low in her throat.

  A few minutes later, Josh served up their drinks and growled back at Rose. “Hailey, if you can’t get your dog to be quiet, take her outside.”

  Hailey stared at Josh. “You called me by my name. Not princess.” Rose quieted, ears perked for trouble as she stared at Josh too. Princess was Josh’s go-to sarcastic nickname for Hailey, probably because of her beauty-pageant wins. She had many tiaras to her name. Hailey called him cad, beast, or scoundrel in return. Very entertaining.

  Josh smirked. “It’s hard to call someone who French-kisses their dog princess.”

  Hailey gasped. “I do not French-kiss my dog!” Rose added her two indignant cents with ferocious barks. It was hard to say who was barkier. Truth was, they’d all witnessed Hailey letting Rose give her sloppy dog kisses right on the mouth. Lexi didn’t judge. There was nothing wrong with loving your pet.

  Josh pointed at Rose. “Quiet or you’re out.”

  Hailey scowled and exclaimed over the noise of Rose’s barks, “It’s ladies’ night! We have a right to be here.”

  Josh rolled his eyes. “She’s a dog. Not a lady.”

  “A girl dog,” Hailey said.

  “That makes her a bitch,” Lexi quipped. “High paw, Rose.” She lifted Rose’s paw and gave her a little high five, which distracted her for a moment, quieting her down.

  “She’s also a therapy dog,” Hailey informed Josh. She dug around in her purse and pulled out a tiny blue doggie T-shirt. “Here’s her official therapy-dog shirt.”

  “Isn’t she supposed to be wearing that?” Josh asked.

  Hailey stared at the shirt in obvious distaste and tossed it back in her bag. “It’s not a good look for her.”

  Lexi stifled a laugh and caught Marcus looking over at them and smiling. He stood and headed her way. Gulp. She really hoped he’d forgotten she’d said he was an orgasm-inducing eye-fuck the other day. La-la-la. Super-casual neighbors. Zero eye-fucking here.

  “Just keep her off the tables,” Josh snapped at Hailey. He put both palms on the bar and leaned close to Hailey, setting Rose off on another barking rampage. “And keep her away from the bar!”

  Marcus stood next to Hailey and held out his palms. “Can I see her?”

  Hailey handed Rose over to him, and Rose quieted. Marcus lifted Rose, cooing at her, “Aren’t you a beautiful girl?” He held her against his chest and rubbed behind her ear. Rose’s little tail wagged like mad.

  Marcus turned to Josh. “Try to use some of that rusty charm on the ladies. It works on all species.”

  Lexi found herself smiling, watching as Marcus shifted Rose, holding her cradled in one arm, belly up. He rubbed her belly with one big hand, and Rose’s back leg kicked happily. She really hadn’t expected dog cuddles from a hulking male like Marcus, practically oozing testosterone.

  Marcus grinned at Josh. “See where a little charm can get ya?” He lifted Rose up to his ear. “What’s that?” he asked as though she’d said something instead of just licking his ear. “Uh-huh. This is serious.” He turned to Hailey. “Rose says the bows you make her wear are undignified. The other dogs are making fun of her.”

  Lexi laughed.

  Hailey adjusted Rose’s striped bow, which had flopped down. “She loves looking pretty. We spend hours grooming. It’s her favorite thing.”

  Marcus shook his head sadly. “She says that’s your favorite thing.”

  “Oh, you!” Hailey said. “Give me her.” Marcus handed Rose back, and Hailey clipped a leash to her collar. “Excuse us. We need a quick break outside.” Hailey would never say pee. Much too classy.

  Mad swooped in, offering to take Rose for a walk. Hailey handed her over without a word. Mad had been the one to take care of Rose before they all gave her to Hailey as a gift. Rose had been part of an intervention designed to calm Hailey the frick down when she was in hyper mode after ending her long-term friends-with-benefits arrangement just as Josh got a girlfriend. Every one of their friends believed Josh and Hailey belonged together, if only they’d stop fighting long enough. Josh was single now, so it was a possibility, however small.

  Hailey took a small sip of her cran-vodka before tossing back half the glass.

  Josh stared at Hailey, his brows drawing togethe
r. “I can’t get over how much alike you and your mom look. It’s like twins almost.” Josh was an identical twin, so he would know.

  Hailey pursed her lips. “Yeah, well…”

  Josh went on, gesturing to Hailey. “I mean, the hair, the face, even the designer dresses.”

  Hailey sniffed. “It’s embarrassing.”

  “Why?” Josh asked. “You got good genes.”

  Lexi turned to Hailey, thinking the compliment might draw a smile, but no.

  Hailey took another swig of her drink. “Because she’s still trying to look like she’s in her twenties when she’s not. She dyes her hair to match mine. Hers is actually blond and white, not strawberry blond.”

  Josh tilted his head. “Do you shop at the same store?”

  Hailey scoffed. “You know nothing about women’s fashion.”

  “I know you both look like you stepped out of a glossy magazine at all times,” Josh returned. This was true.

  Hailey’s eyes flashed, her color high. “It’s completely different!”

  Josh shifted closer. “How?”

  Hailey raised a finger. “For one thing she does it because she works at a high-end boutique and has to wear their clothes. Besides, she gets a huge employee discount.” She finished her drink and gestured for Josh to give her another one.

  He didn’t move. “Uh-huh.”

  Hailey gestured again, lifting her glass in the air and shaking it.

  Josh ignored her request.

  Hailey lifted the glass to her lips, tapping the bottom for the last drop. She set the glass down with a thunk. “And her stuff is this season.”

  “You mean winter?” Josh asked.

  Hailey turned to Lexi. “Order a cran-vodka.” She jerked a thumb toward Josh. “The bartender likes to give me a hard time.”

  “You got it,” Lexi said. “Josh, I’d like a cran-vodka, please.”

  Josh ignored Lexi, his focus on Hailey. “So your mom wears winter clothes?”

  Hailey let out a huge exasperated breath. “No. Her clothes are current, on trend, just hit the runways.”

  He arched a brow. “And yours aren’t?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I can’t afford it, okay?” Hailey exclaimed. “I have to project a professional image at all times. Half my work is at the office, the other half networking in the community. How do you think I continually bring in new business?”

  Josh remained unflappable despite Hailey’s outburst. “If you can’t afford designer stuff, then why’re you always wearing it?”

  Hailey stood and pulled her gorgeous royal blue A-line dress away from her body. “This is two seasons ago! I got it from the consignment shop.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Lexi put in. “Why don’t you have a seat and relax?” She guided Hailey back to her seat, whispering in her ear, “And keep your voice down.” It certainly wasn’t going to help Hailey’s networking if she spilled all her secrets to the locals. Some of the people around here were real gossips.

  “I need another drink,” Hailey announced.

  Lexi handed over her wine.

  “Thank you, Lexi,” Hailey replied sweetly. “Only you understand me.”

  Josh went right back to his line of questioning. “Why don’t you just shop at your mom’s store with her discount?”

  “Give it a rest, Josh,” Marcus put in.

  Josh ignored him, his gaze glued to Hailey.

  Hailey tossed her hair. “Because I’m an independent businesswoman not a clone of my mother.”

  “Huh,” Josh said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Hailey demanded.

  Josh lifted one shoulder. “I thought you came from a snobby elite beauty-queen line.”

  Hailey’s jaw dropped. “You know what? You’re the snob!” She jabbed a finger at him. “You judged me from the first moment we met, and you’ve been making my life hell ever since!”

  Josh’s brows drew together in apparent confusion. “No I didn’t.”

  “Yes you did!” Hailey hollered at the top of her lungs.

  All of their friends exchanged a look of alarm. Hailey was losing it.

  “There was a lot of fighting,” Lexi put in, rubbing Hailey’s back.

  Marcus went for a distraction. “Hey, Josh, how about a round of drinks on me?”

  Josh stared at Hailey. “I thought we were just messing around.”

  Hailey got quiet, staring at the bar.

  Sabrina leaned close, speaking in a soothing voice. “Maybe there were some hurt feelings that came out as anger.”

  “Did I…” Josh bent to try to see Hailey’s face. “Hailey, did I hurt your feelings?”

  Hailey didn’t respond.

  Josh swore. He leaned down, probably trying to get Hailey to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry. I admit to being pissed off with some of the stuff you pulled, but mostly I found you entertaining. You know, I push your buttons, you push mine.”

  Hailey raised her head, her eyes shiny with tears, still saying nothing. Josh looked equally distraught.

  Hailey never got this upset. This whole thing with her mom and his dad getting serious must’ve really gotten to her. Everyone looked at Hailey sympathetically and then turned to Josh expectantly. He had to fix this.

  Josh offered his hand. “Let’s have a truce. A real truce.”

  Hailey eyed his hand suspiciously.

  “We’ll go back to the beginning and…fix it.”

  “It’s a good idea,” Lexi said. “Shake his hand.” Their friends chimed in encouragingly.

  Hailey met Josh’s eyes. “You’ll give me my money back?” That was where their frenemy war had begun. Josh had kept the money Hailey gave him for being her paid escort at weddings. After their falling out, Hailey had demanded it back. Josh always said she had to go back to his place and get it, which Hailey refused to do.

  Josh nodded once. “Yup.”

  Hailey seemed to be considering this. Mad returned with Rose. Hailey gathered Rose close, stroking her behind the ear. “What do you think, Rose? Should I trust the cad?”

  Josh looked to the ceiling, but refrained from commenting.

  Hailey turned to Mad. “Will you please watch Rose? I’m heading to Josh’s place. I’ll be back shortly.”

  Mad’s brown eyes were wide as she took Rose. “You’re actually going to his place?”

  Hailey nodded, her expression grim.

  “One minute,” Josh said. He hustled back to the kitchen and returned with a guy, who took his place behind the bar. Then Josh walked over to stand by Hailey’s side, offering his arm in a gentlemanly gesture that she ignored. Rose began her warning growl and Mad quickly backed away to quiet Rose down.

  Hailey looked up at Josh. “I will now restore your rep for my part of the truce.”

  “No—” Josh started.

  Hailey then announced in a voice that could be heard for miles, or at least to all of the local women who’d shown up for ladies’ night. “Attention, everyone! I’m going to Josh’s den of sin. He’s completely cured of any and all problems, and I can’t wait.” Her tone and expression were closer to a woman going to her execution than about to go to a gorgeous man’s place. Hailey lifted her chin, the picture of bravery in the face of her impending doom. “We’ve declared a truce and are now on good friendly terms.”

  The bar fell silent, everyone staring at them curiously.

  Josh gave her a wry look. “You done?”

  Hailey nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I think that worked.”

  Josh shook his head. “It’s not a den of sin and I’m not the devil. I live in a humble one-bedroom apartment.”

  Hailey smiled a little, her first real smile of the night. Lexi exchanged a relieved look with her friends. “I always pictured you in a brothel.”

  Josh laughed. “I always pictured you in a mansion.” He offered his hand. “Friends?”

  Everyone held their breath.

  Hailey slowly extend
ed her hand and shook his hand in one firm up-and-down motion before quickly dropping it.

  Josh inclined his head toward the door. “It’s a short drive. Come on.”

  They all turned to watch them go. Josh walked ahead to hold open the door. Hailey walked with her head held high, looking very much like the beauty queen she used to be.

  As soon as the door shut behind them, Lexi spoke into the silence. “Holy shit!”

  “Pigs must be flying in hell today!” Mad crowed, which made everyone laugh.

  Everyone started speculating on how long this truce between Hailey and Josh would last. Of course everyone hoped for the best, but their history was pretty rocky. They really did push each other’s buttons.

  A half hour later, the door opened and they all turned to find Josh walking in alone.

  “Where’s Hailey?” Lexi asked.

  “She walked home,” Josh said, slinking behind the bar.

  Lexi immediately texted Hailey to find out that she was indeed home. Are you okay?

  The group text went mad with a flurry of texts asking what happened.

  Hailey replied simply, I’m home and I’m fine. Goodnight.

  Mad marched up to the bar and got in Josh’s face. “Nice going! She’s so upset she forgot her dog!”

  “I tried—”

  “Try harder!” Mad barked. Rose barked too.

  Josh shoved a hand in his hair and stalked to the other side of the bar.

  Mad left with Rose to return her to Hailey. The rest of them huddled close, debating if they should go to Hailey’s place or give her some space. She hadn’t seemed like herself tonight, but maybe she just needed some peace and quiet. The question on all of their minds—

  What the hell had happened at Josh’s place?

  Josh refused to comment, so Sabrina called Hailey to get the scoop. She got off the phone only a moment later saying, “Hailey’s going to bed early.”

  It was pretty bad if Hailey wouldn’t even confide in Sabrina. Maybe when Mad showed up with Rose, she could get the details out of Hailey. For now they were all pissed at Josh for upsetting Hailey worse. He was supposed to be fixing things.