On The Rocks

I look up and down the bar. Everyone seems to have full drinks, so I take a moment and lean back against the counter, pulling my iPhone out. I check my emails, but there is nothing new since I last checked only about an hour ago.

It’s pathetic of me, but I’m hoping to get an email from Gabby. She was supposed to meet with me the day after I went to her apartment to give her the job, but I woke up that morning to find an email from her. It basically said there was no need to meet, that if I would just tell her what day I wanted her to start, and what hours she could have access to the building, then she would handle getting everything coordinated. This started an email exchange between us, ironing out the details and setting the start date for next Monday. My last email to her yesterday had asked when she could come by and get a key to the building, but I haven’t heard back from her.

Yes, I want to see her badly after that morning in her apartment, but she’s effectively cut me off at the knees. The image of her standing there in that tight tank with her nipples poking through and her barely there panties was burned solidly into my brain. I can hardly close my eyes without seeing her like that, and I’m having a hard time shaking it.

Over the years, I had seen Gabby in her bathing suit more times than I can remember, and while, as she got older, I had a vague appreciation for the beauty of her body, I never obsessed about it like this.

And now?

I really want to see what’s underneath, which has me groaning at myself over the absurdity of it.

It can’t happen, and let me tell you why.

First, there’s the fact that she’s Casey’s childhood friend and someone who I viewed as a little sister for many years.

But you don’t view her like that now, my subconscious pipes up.

Shut the fuck up, I tell my subconscious.

Second, Gabby is clearly so angry with me that she’d never entertain the thought of… of…

Well, hell… I’m not even sure what I’m entertaining. Do I just want to sleep with her, or do I want something more? Because if it’s something more, am I even ready for that?

It’s all moot anyway. I can’t seem to make it past my first concern, so there… no need to even to think about it further. She’s like a little sister, so she’s off limits. It’s done. I’m putting her out of my mind, and I vow to myself that I won’t even think about her the rest of the night.

“Hey, Hunter. Thought I’d come by and pick up the key from you.”

I close my eyes briefly and mutter a curse, because just like that… I’m thinking of Gabby. Hard not to… what with her sexy-as-fuck voice coming from just off to my left somewhere. Opening my eyes slowly, I wipe any expression from my face and turn to face her.

Son of a bitch!

She looks like a wet dream. Her body is poured into a tight, black minidress, and she’s rocking some ass-kicking stilettos. Her hair is loose and wavy around her face, pouring over her tanned shoulders and spilling down her back. I want to wrap my hand in it and pull her toward me, which causes me to internally curse myself for those thoughts.

It’s then that I notice her roommate, Savannah, standing behind her, along with Alyssa Myers. I smile and nod at them, then turn my attention back to Gabby.

“You’re awful dressed up to pick up a key,” I tell her.

She gives me a cautious smile. “Well… it is Friday night… time to let loose. We’re headed out to a nightclub over in Kitty Hawk but thought we’d come have a few drinks here to start out. Savannah’s DD tonight.”

“Well… you look really nice. Beautiful, actually.”

Gabby looks at me like I sprouted an extra head, as if I’ve never paid her a true compliment before, but before she can respond, her attention goes to something behind me. Turning, I see Brody grabbing some orange juice out of the refrigerator.

“Hey, Brody,” Gabby says. I notice him flinch slightly as he turns to look at her but she steps up closer to the bar. “How you been?”