The Do Over

Without even trying or knowing, Chris came through for me tonight. I wanted to high five him. I would even go so far as to say I wanted to hug him. As we were walking toward the bar, I smacked him on the back. Yes, this is good. This cleaned Chris's shit slate. Although he was always inviting me to these openings, I hardly came, but he was insistent on this one. Since I kept blowing him off, I figured that I owed him. At first, my plan was to make an appearance and take off early, but that changed. Plan B was in place. I was sticking around, and this time I wasn't letting her get away.

What are the odds that she'd be here? She looked drop-dead gorgeous. Her face lit up, and her smile touched her eyes, which were her best feature by far. I wanted to take her in my arms, steal her away, and get to know her. Yeah, chicks before dicks. I laughed, remembering her face when she'd said that. I was biding my time. I'd give her time with her friends, and then it would be my turn. There was no way I was leaving without her number and plans to see her again.

Chris led me through a maze of people as we walked down toward the bar.

"So, Lucas, what the hell was that Prince Charming shit?"

I gave him a look that said, Don't be an ass wipe. Chris and I had been friends since we were kids. I'd spent more time getting him out of trouble than anything else. Over the years, this look had been perfected. No matter what, he'd always been a good friend and stepped up to the plate when it had mattered most.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm not being an ass." Chris shook his head.

That was proof that my look had communicated exactly what I'd intended. I didn't even have to open my mouth.

"Let me rephrase. So, you seem to be smitten by Macy's friend. Who is she?" Chris asked.

I wasn't a girl. I didn't share, but since I had wanted to hug him earlier, I figured I would do it more subtly. "She's a girl I met today. She took off before I could get her number."

"Did she take off because she thought you were a freak? And now you're stalking her?" Chris asked.

I had to give him the look again. "No, ass wipe. You called. I answered. She left. It's not happening again."

Chris patted me on the back and bought me a beer. "You were talking to that babe and answered my call? Geez, I don't know if you're an idiot or if I'm special."

"It was a stupid force of habit. Lucky for me, I'm getting another chance. This time, I won't make the same dumb mistake. Now, move. You're in my way."

Leaning against the bar, I found the perfect view of her. She was upstairs, talking to her friends. Laughing, she threw her head back, exposing her neck. I wanted to feel my lips on her neck, run my fingers through her hair, and caress her body with my hands. I just wanted to see her smile.

Chris scouted out the room. "The night is young, my good fellow. Three o'clock is checking you out. Don't limit yourself to one ass tonight. You could score big."

The server came over. "Hello, gentlemen. The ladies at that table would like to buy you two a drink." She pointed to three o'clock. "What will it be?"

Chris waved at the bleached blondes with fake boobs. I rolled my eyes. He was quickly becoming a liability.

"I'll have a—" Chris began.

I elbowed him, shaking my head. "Thanks, but no thanks," I interrupted, keeping my sights on the only woman I was interested in getting to know.

"Dude, you're killing me."

I turned around and ordered two beers. Handing one to Chris, I said, "You'll survive."