Sophie took the order from a group of regulars. All four of them were married but that didn’t stop them from their playful flirting. Sophie smiled and played along. They came almost every Friday night and Sophie knew all of them by name. When she turned from their table to enter their order, Sophie caught sight of Ashton leaning against the bar. She stopped in her tracks at the unexpected sight of him staring shamelessly at her.
Megan leaned over the bar, drawing Ashton’s attention. Sophie was grateful for his distraction and headed back toward the kitchen. She had an awkward conversation with Megan earlier in regards to not wanting to date her brother, Jack. She found herself dancing around the truth when Megan insisted on digging into the matter. Somehow the conversation always steered toward Ashton and she couldn’t help the guilt that swirled within her. She could tell Megan had her suspicions but how could Sophie possibly go about explaining the chaos between Ashton and her? She felt it better just to pretend there was nothing to talk about.
Sophie tried to busy herself and ignore Ashton but she kept meeting his gaze across the crowded restaurant. He stood out in the sea of people with his height and piercing beauty. His intense blue eyes could literally make anyone swoon. When things died down and he wasn’t showing any signs of leaving any time soon, Sophie decided to confront him.
“Why are you here?” Sophie leaned over his shoulder. She couldn’t help but appreciate how his T-shirt hung over his muscled back. She watched the other women around the bar discreetly steal glances at him, their eyes hungry for what a man like him could do to them.
“I needed a drink,” he stated simply. He leaned his body back into her. She didn’t know if it was intentional or not but she didn’t move away.
“No Marilyn tonight?” Sophie teased.
“No, she got a little upset when I called her by someone else’s name last night while things were heating up,” he said. How easily it seemed he could shrug off women. Reality check!
“Too many to keep track of, huh? I feel so bad for you,” Sophie said.
“No, just hung up on one in particular. Unfinished business, you know.”
“Hey, Sam.” Sophie cut off Ashton’s words as Sam approached them from the inside of the bar. Sophie greeted him warmly. Sam had been true to his word and hadn’t pressured her into giving him an answer to his request to spend time together. She had told him she needed time and he was being very giving. Sophie couldn’t help but notice that Sam’s smile fell from his lips when he surveyed what was happening between Sophie and Ashton.
“This is Margaret’s grandson, Ashton,” Sophie introduced. “Ashton, this is Sam, he’s the manager here.”
“Ah…Sam. I have heard so much about you. In fact, Sophie tells me she has quite the crush on you. Did you know that she painted a picture of you?” Ashton spoke with evil intent.
“Ashton!” Sophie cried out, horrified. “Sam…I didn’t paint a picture of you. He’s joking. That would be creepy.” Her face burned with embarrassment.
“She did, I saw it. Sophie has been dying to ask you out but she’s just too nervous. We should all go out after her shift. What do you think, Sam? It would be a good way to break the ice.”
Sam looked completely lost for words but a smile pulled at his lips with the offer.
“It can be a double date. You and Sophie and me and…” Ashton looked around the bar. When he noticed Megan approach, he reached over and grabbed her. “Megan.”
The biggest smile Sophie had ever seen exploded across Megan’s face. “What’s going on?” She tried to talk through her smile and the words sounded awkward.
“The four of us are going out on a double date after work.” Ashton declared. Sophie could see Megan melt into his hold.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Sophie shuffled her feet nervously. “You probably have plans.” She offered Sam an out.
“No, I think it would be nice,” Sam encouraged.
“Great.” Sophie tried to seem happy for his sake. She was angry, embarrassed, and a number of other things.
“It’s so adorable how nervous you are,” Ashton pressed. She felt anger heat her skin.
“I have to get back to work,” Sophie excused herself, biting her lip so hard she tasted blood. For the rest of the shift Sam kept watching her and it made her uncomfortable. Ducking into the kitchen, she pulled her phone out of her purse.
Sophie: I can’t believe you did that! So mad right now.
Ashton: Just helping out…I know you have a crush on him. You can thank me later. I have something in mind.
Sophie: Never. And I don’t have a crush on him.
Ashton: Stop denying your feelings…oh right…you don’t have any.
Sophie: Haha so funny. You’re the heartless one. Fine. I will go on this stupid date. But I’m not talking to you.
Ashton: I will be too busy with my date to notice you anyway.
Sophie shoved her phone back in her purse and finished her shift. The rest of the evening flew by, the dread of their double date growing. She watched time slip away until her last customer thanked her as they walked out of the restaurant. Ashton stayed at the bar, chatting with the employees as she worked. He didn’t acknowledge her for the rest of the shift and that was fine by her because she was fuming.
The four of them decided on a place not far from the restaurant. Sophie had never been there before but it was well-known, especially for late night crowds. It was a tavern-style bar, with a rustic wooden interior and lots of tables scattered throughout the interior. Groups of people sat and enjoyed the music and each other’s company. Sam and Megan mentioned that the nachos were amazing and recommended they order some for their table.
After Sophie’s shift had ended, she freshened up in the bathroom. She hadn’t brought a change of clothes but luckily she had worn a black dress that was appropriate for their destination. It was a fitted, cap sleeved design that was very simple except for three buttons that ran down from her neckline. She ran her fingers through her hair and applied some gloss to her lips. When she looked at her reflection she opted to undo the top two buttons, allowing the swell of her breasts to be exposed. Ashton said that he was going to ignore her but she wanted to make it hard for him.
Sitting in the tavern now, she was glad she did. She found Ashton’s eyes noticing her reveal. Megan was so enamored with Ashton she practically drooled on him, leaning as close as she could get without crawling into his lap. Sam sat nervously beside Sophie and slowly warmed up after a few drinks. Ashton pulled out his phone and a moment later hers buzzed in her purse. Sophie pulled it out and read what Ashton had sent.
Ashton: Do up your buttons before Sam gets the wrong idea.
Sophie: It was your idea for this date and maybe that’s what I’m going for. I want to find out what I have been missing.
Sophie was trying to be discreet as she typed her answer, continuing to chat with Sam after saying it was a message from her mother. When she hit send she saw Ashton glare over at her. He seemed angry, he didn’t even try to engage with Megan, who looked over at Sophie, trying to figure out what was behind the tension that was building between Sophie and Ashton. Ashton insisted on glaring daggers and Sophie ignored him, refusing to let her eyes settle on him.