Chapter Four
Jasper
“What was all that, mate?” Theo asks, gesturing to Fannin’s table.
Coming behind the bar I shrug, “Nothing. Just talking to some beautiful women.”
“That looked like a whole lot more than talking. You looked down right cozy with the one in purple there.”
“Aye. I guess I was.” My accent always become a bit more pronounced around Theo. Damn Brit has me embracing my Scottish roots.
“Care to elaborate?” he asks, leaning back against the bar and watching me.
“She needed a date for her step-sister’s wedding. She got one.”
“You? You’re taking a perfect stranger to a wedding?” Theo lets out a barking laugh. “Are you mad?”
“No, I’m not mad. Did you see her?” I glance over my shoulder, the girls are sipping their drinks and laughing at something. My gaze settles on Fannin, her head thrown back in laughter, the column of her neck exposed, the happy sound floating to where I stand. Just like that I find myself smiling at her merriment. Glad she didn’t let the ex bring her down.
“Look at ya, grinning like a fool. Where is my stoic mate, Jasper?” He’s enjoying this.
“I’m not stoic!”
Eyebrows rise in disbelief as he scoffs.
“I’m not.”
“Well, you’re not the kind to be taking a lady you don’t know on a date either. To bed, yes. On a date, to a wedding? Never.”
“Never say never, pal. It’s happening.” I snap the bar towel at him. “Now leave me be so I can get back to work.”
“Back to work making eyes at your new girlfriend,” he teases.
“Fannin isn’t my girlfriend you idiot. I’m just doing a favor. Her step-sister is marrying her ex-fiancé. Nobody should have to face that shite alone.”
“Oh, ‘Fannin’ is it? No, I don’t suppose anybody should. That’s fucked up. No wonder you agreed to go.”
“Oh, I didn’t agree, I offered.” Not looking away, I meet his wide-eyed stare as he processes that.
“You taking the piss?”
“Nope. I offered when the arse started poking at her for not having a date.”
“Proper cunt that one is.”
“Aye.” An understatement I think.
“And what do you get out of it?”
“The company of a beautiful woman?” It’s the truth. I’m actually looking forward to spending some time with Fannin. Find out what makes her tick. Not sure why but I can’t seem to find it in me to care at the moment. Plus, if how her ex behaved today is any indication, this wedding is going to be a bit of nightmare for her. “By the way, she’s from some advertising firm supposed to be talking to my boss next week. I’m assuming you set it up?”
“I did. My cousin Sterling handled it all. Best friends with one of the big shots there. Noah.”
“Isn’t that interesting? Fannin is Noah’s cousin.”
“Small world.”
“Aye. Let me know how it goes.”
“And just where will you be?”
“I’ll be here bartending.”
Not sticking around to discuss anything more with him I walk away whistling. Before I disappear to the cellar to check on the whisky that just came in, I chance a glance over at Fannin and catch her watching me. I raise my hand, giving her a two-finger wave. With a cheeky grin she waggles hers back at me. For the first time in forever I’m looking forward to getting to know a woman, not just getting her into bed. Although I can picture Fannin spread out on my king-sized bed, that crazy mass of curls of hers a just-fucked mess. Might be in a spot of trouble here if I’m not careful. Not that I’ve ever been careful a day in my damn life. It’s the reason I’m here in the States and not in Scotland. Trouble disguised as beautiful women always seemed to find me there. But they were the wrong women. It was time for a more permanent change, and just now Fannin looks like the right kind of trouble for me to be in. All. Night. Long.
***
Glancing up at the clock above the bar I groan. One a.m. and the bar is still packed. I haven’t had a minute to think let alone call Fannin. Not wanting her to think I’d forgotten or that I was reneging on our date, I pull out my phone to text her. Hopefully if she’s sleeping, it won’t wake her up.
Me: Hey, it’s me, Jasper. Don’t want to wake you but just wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten about you. Still working.
Not expecting her to be awake I start to slip my phone back in my pocket when it pings.
Fannin: You didn’t wake me. Just left the office. Looks like we’re both workaholics.
Me: The office? Isn’t it a little late?
Fannin: Yeah, there was an emergency with one of my accounts.
Me: All fixed?
Fannin: Finally
Me: Call you tomorrow?
Fannin: You really don’t HAVE to do this!
Me: Oh but I do. I’m taking you. Night, Fannin
Fannin: Night, Jasper
Talking to Fannin, however briefly, gives me a little jolt of energy the three cups of coffee I had earlier hadn’t been able to. Just the boost I need to survive the rest of this night and the blonde at the end of the bar determined to take me home tonight.