“Tequila.” Mallory insisted happily and took the seat beside Nick.
Nick watched Sam’s knuckles turn white as she gripped the back of the stool Mallory was sitting on. “Three shots of tequila.” He told the bartender, before he turned back to Sam. “What about your other friend?” He said, motioning to the table where Phillip was no longer sitting. He watched her nibble on her lower lip and then smile at the bartender.
“Make that four.” She said sweetly before turning towards the jukebox that was in the corner. “Phillip, come over!” She called out to him.
Nick studied the man that walked up behind Sam. Phillip draped an arm around Sam and smiled at Nick. Nick didn’t return the gesture, he was too busying sizing him up and deciding what his role in Sam’s life was.
“You rang beautiful?” Phillip crooned into her ear.
Nick narrowed his gaze as Sam glanced over her shoulder at Phillip. She looked confused for a moment and then recovered quickly once Phillip sent her a wink. Nick held back the laughter that threatened. Sam smiled up at Phillip lacing her fingers with his that hung over her shoulder.
“Phillip, this is Nick. Nick I’d like you to meet Phillip.” Sam settled against Phillip’s chest and smiled at Nick, her eyes blazing with fury. Nick nodded in acknowledgement toward Phillip and then threw some bills on the bar when the bartender lined up their shots. Mallory grabbed one before Nick could hand it to her. Nick handed one to Phillip and then held one just a little bit out of reach towards Sam. His eyes roamed her questioningly.
“You sure you want it?” He asked sincerely, knowing very well shots of tequila and Sam didn’t really go hand in hand.
She rolled her eyes at him and took the shot. “I’m not twenty-one anymore Nick.”
“Suit yourself.” He said and lifted his glass before throwing back the shot. The three musketeers, that’s what they reminded Nick of, downed the shots. Mallory and Phillip took the fiery liquid like champs, while Sam reached across the bar to chase the shot with Nick’s beer. Her body shuddered and she scrunched her face up as she guzzled the beer. He couldn’t help the smirk. It was nice to know as much as things changed there were a few things that remained the same.
She slammed the beer bottle against the bar and slapped Nick’s bicep. “Wipe that grin off your face Foti.”
Her hands lingered for a moment, her fingertips traveling along where his sleeves ended. He looked down at her hand and then back at her face. She retracted her hand as if she had just scorched her fingertips. He thought he heard Phillip mumble something, but wasn’t sure when he pieced together the words. Something about swinging from his arms, Nick shrugged it off.
Mallory turned to Nick. “So…” Mallory began before taking another sip of her drink, swallowing the gulp of alcohol she eyed Nick with a sassy stare, deciding to finish her thought. “Will you be making Samantha drop her panties tonight or what?”
Phillip threw his head into his hands and his shoulders slumped defeated. It was almost comical, Nick mused. Mallory looked at Phillip with innocence in her gaze.
“What? What did I say? Wasn’t this the plan?” She scratched her head confused.
Nick’s eyes wandered towards Sam’s, he brought his hand up to his face and scratched at the day’s stubble that covered his jaw. She had turned an awfully embarrassing shade of red, and he couldn’t tell if was from anger or shame.
“I’m all for Samantha dropping her panties for me.” He took a long sip of his beer, eyes intently staring into hers. He pulled the neck of the bottle down, and licked his lips. “What color are they anyway?”
“None of your business.” She said through gritted teeth and then surprised him by taking a step towards him. He bit the inside of his cheek to hide the smile. The fire in her blue eyes had him truly wondering what color they were. She poked his chest with one perfectly manicured fingernail. “Read my lips.” She whispered. “No matter how many times you say my full name, you’ll never see my panties.”
His hand closed around her wrist and he cocked his head. “I bet their black lace.” He leaned over and his breath grazed her ear, causing her to shudder. “Samantha.” He whispered against her ear. He decided he liked the way her full name sounded coming from him, and vowed to make more of an effort to use it.
Chapter Two