Page 45 of Bastard Bartender

The girl’s obsession is real, and I should have known she’d go there. Ever since the former No Doubt singer concluded her Vegas residency, she has been on me to get her into the arena for a show.

“No, sorry, no Gwen.” I laugh. “I’m going hiking with Nicolás.” I let his name roll off my tongue.

I don’t know why I’m so giddy. Like I told him, I should be mad still. But I’m not. I really like hanging out with him, and if his excursion is like the racing-cars adventure, I’m in for a treat.

Then again, if he takes me on anything like the Skywalk again, I might pee my pants.

“Eww. You hate long walks. Wait …” She pauses, and I know what she’s thinking.

“Just as friends. Don’t get your head turning in a direction it shouldn’t. He even made that clear last night when I saw him at the bar during my date with Richard.”

“That’s right. The avocado dude. How was it?”

“Nice,” I say with a squeak to my voice. “I had fun but not too much. After drinks, we took an Uber to our cars at the restaurant, and I went home, but I’ll definitely see him again.”

“Hmm … well, that’s pretty uneventful. On that note, I think this hike with Nic will be good for you. Get some sun on that skin and muscle on those bones,” she teases.

I look up at my bare arms and sigh. She’s right. For being from Southern California, I shouldn’t be so pale. I get in the sun and burn, not tan. Add in my brown hair and blue eyes, and I’m the epitome of not being a SoCal girl.

“Yes, Mom,” I taunt back.

“Now, tell Mama where you’re going in case he turns out to be a serial killer.”

“No one that attractive is a murderer.”

“Said every person who looked at Ted Bundy!”

“Marie, you’re in crazy town right now. I’ve already had the man sleep over at my house. If he were a psychopath, I think I would know by now.”

“True, but what a way to go, staring into those hunter-green eyes,” she says dreamily.

“Do I want to know?” I hear Sammy ask in the background.

She shushes him. “Evette is going hiking with Nic. Do you think he’s a serial killer?”

“Good thing you have me, babe, because no one would be able to handle the things you dream up. No, I don’t think Nic’s a killer. Are they dating?” he asks.

“Nope.”

“Bummer.” I hear him kiss her. “I’ll be outside, working on the car.”

Marie is back on the phone. “Okay, sorry. He won’t bug us anymore. So, after the hike, what are you thinking? Do you want to try to meet Mr. S tonight?”

“No. I’m going out with Richard again. I like him.”

“Then, why are you hiking with Nic?”

“Because he’s my friend,” I drawl.

“Riiiight. Tell Nic hello for me!”

I hang up and blast the radio as I drive the rest of the way, trying to pump myself up for this hike. I don’t know why I agreed to do this. Even Marie knows not to ask me to do anything too physical, yet here I am, about to go for a hike with a man who I’ve only known for a little while.

When I pull up, he’s leaning casually against a black motorcycle with his arms crossed. He exudes this excitement about him that’s contagious for sure.

I get out of the car and look at him on the bike. “Crotch rocket, huh?”

“You know it. Glad you could show up,” he says, standing and heading toward me after I exit the car.