by Gina Azzi
Jeez Louise.
A full mouth parts, revealing straight, blindingly white teeth. A nose that’s been broken at least once somehow adds more character to his face instead of detracting from his rugged good looks. Full eyebrows, a teeny cleft in his chin, a barely noticeable scar above the right corner of his mouth.
“Hey babe. Did you hear me?” He snaps his fingers and my mouth drops open.
Shocked, amused, and a tiny bit embarrassed, I laugh out, “Did you just snap at me?”
“Just getting your attention.”
I roll my eyes. “You have the attention of everyone in here.”
He shrugs, a playful gleam ringing his irises. “We can take a selfie if you want, so you can study it later in your bedroom.”
This time, laughter shoots from my mouth in surprise. Is this guy for real? “Ah, now you had to go and ruin it.”
He frowns, a small dip appearing between his eyebrows. “Ruin what?”
“The fantasy playing out in my head.” I joke easily, falling back into my role as bartender: engaging, playful, flippant. Grabbing three shot glasses with my right hand and swinging to pull down a bottle of top-shelf tequila with my left, I line up the glasses as I glance at Holt, “You killed it.”
One side of his mouth lifts in amusement, his eyes crinkling. “That was never my intention. Now, I’ll have to figure out how to get back in your good graces.”
I shake my head. “What’s the saying about a first impression? You only get one?”
His smile widens.
“That was your one shot to try to pick me up,” I continue, unabashedly enjoying our banter as I grab a shaker. “Chilled?”
He nods, leaning closer. Rolling his lips together as if to contain his laughter, his eyes widen with curiosity that washes over me like approval. Like I really earned his attention. “Sweetheart, you would know if I was picking you up. And there wouldn’t be any trying on my part.” He pulls out his wallet from the back pocket of his designer distressed jeans and places it on top of the bar.
“Ouch,” I grin, pouring his shots, enjoying this banter way more than I should. I mean, what kind of a woman brazenly jokes with a Hollywood actor? The Hollywood actor? Even though his words just shot me down, they were playful, and his attention never wavered from my face. In fact, with each passing second, his aloofness gives way to friendliness. “Well, I’m sure the women here can’t wait to welcome you home with open arms.”
He pulls a black AmEx from his wallet and pauses, his mouth curling into a smirk. “I’m just meeting my brother and friend for drinks. If I was looking for a real homecoming, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be downtown at Lush.” He tilts his head, his gaze still on mine, as he mentions the lavish nightclub known for its exclusivity and bottle service.
I smirk back, winking at him. “The night’s still young, Hollywood. I’ll have someone bring over your shots and beers.” I grasp his credit card and turn, about to start a tab for his table.
I feel his gaze, electric and searching, settle between my shoulder blades, but I refuse to give him the chance to ruin the flirty exchange we just had. I’d never admit it out loud, but it’s the type of memory I’ll play over in my mind.
“Holy shit.” Charlie bumps her hip against mine once Holt is gone. “Eli Holt looked like he wanted to reach over the bar and tear your clothes off.”
“That’s unbelievably dramatic, even for you.” I move over to the ice chest to shovel ice into a bucket.
“No, I’m serious. He was into you.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes. “He’s a Hollywood A-lister, Charlie. Engaging with people is probably one of his job requirements.”
“He didn’t look over at me like that. And I’m a real fan.” She huffs, pointing at herself before brandishing her index finger in my face. “You should go talk to him. Maybe even go home with him. That was one hell of a meet cute.”
Cracking up at her forward, not to mention ridiculous, suggestion, I grip bottles of Heineken by their necks and bury them in the ice bucket. “You’re officially banned from watching any more romantic comedies on Netflix. Besides, he said if he wanted to go home with a woman tonight, he’d be at Lush.”
“Damn.” Charlie frowns and then shakes her head, glancing at him seated in his booth. “I don’t think he meant it.”
“Charlie.”
“Look, all I’m saying is that you need to have fun. The past few months have been super scary for you –”
“I’m fine.” I cut her off so we don’t have to have this conversation again.
“I know you’re fine. It was just a cyst. But it really spooked you.” Charlie lowers her voice, her touch on my forearm filled with sympathy that I shake off.
“Of course it spooked me, Charlie. With my family history and Dad’s vision worsening —” I pause, my hand slipping into the back pocket of my jeans. My fingertips collide with the sharp point of the folded-up paper containing my BRCA gene test results to see if I have the mutation that causes an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
I’ve been carrying it around for nine days and still haven’t worked up the courage to share my results with Dad. Or Charlie.
“I know. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant, what’s the harm in having some fun? You’re always talking about your business and work as the reasons why you can’t seriously date. You always say you just want the casual, no-strings-attached guy.”
I raise my eyebrows at her, beseeching her to make her point.
She tips her chin at the booth where Holt sits, scrolling on his phone. “What could be more fun and have fewer strings than him?”
I laugh at the absurdity of her explanation. “I love you for looking out for me. But Eli Holt is, well…” I wave a hand in his general direction, “him. And I’m me. I enjoyed our little banter at the bar, but that’s the end of it. Here, deliver these to his table.” I solidify my point by pressing the tray of shot glasses in her hands.
She sighs, turning toward Eli’s booth, the tray balanced on her palm.
However, as she approaches his table and laughs at whatever he says, a pang of curiosity cuts through my chest.
What’s so funny? What are they talking about?
Oh my God, Zo! He’s here for a drink. You’re a bartender.
Your exchange meant nothing. To him or to you.
Forcing myself to get back to work, I slide a free bourbon toward Fred for his patience and scan the bar for other customers.
Read Broken Lies now!
Also by Gina Azzi
Boston Hawks Hockey:
The Sweet Talker
The Risk Taker
The Faker (April 21)
Second Chance Chicago Series:
Broken Lies
Twisted Truths
Saving My Soul
Healing My Heart
The Kane Brothers Series:
Rescuing Broken (Jax’s Story)
Recovering Beauty (Carter’s Story)
Reclaiming Brave (Denver’s Story)
My Christmas Wish
(A Kane Family Christmas
+ One Last Chance FREE prequel)
Finding Love in Scotland Series:
My Christmas Wish
(A Kane Family Christmas
+ One Last Chance FREE prequel)
One Last Chance (Daisy and Finn)
This Time Around (Aaron and Everly)
The College Pact Series:
The Last First Game (Lila’s Story)
Kiss Me Goodnight in Rome (Mia’s Story)
All the While (Maura’s Story)
Me + You (Emma’s Story)
Standalone
Corner of Ocean and Bay
Acknowledgments
I’ve loved losing myself in the world of Boston Hawks Hockey! I am enjoying every moment spent writing this series and sincerely thank all of these amazing, talented ladies for their support on this journey!
Becca Mysoor - plotting with you is my fave! Th
ank you for your brilliant insight, honesty, and friendship.
Erica Russikoff - In such a short amount of time, your feedback has become invaluable to me. Thank you for your heartfelt edits!
Virginia Carey - you catch everything! I truly appreciate your eye for all the details. Thanks for proofing Easton and Claire on such a short turnaround.
Kate Farlow, Y’all. That Graphic. - THANK YOU! I love the covers for this series and you’ve done an amazing job at bringing these hockey legends to life!
Give Me Books Promotions - a million thanks for all of your support and for keeping me organized. As always, working with you ladies is a pleasure.
MPP, the real MVP, I can’t thank you enough for everything! I’m so grateful to the book world for making us friends!
Readers and Bloggers and Book World Community, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly appreciate every recommendation, review, social media like, and comment. You all have given me the opportunity to live my dream and I am so grateful. Thanks for taking a chance on my words!
Home Team - T, A, R, + L, love you all the world. Always.
About the Author
Gina Azzi writes Contemporary Romance with relatable, genuine characters experiencing real life, love, friendships, and obstacles. She is the author of Boston Hawks Hockey series, Second Chance Chicago series, Finding Love in Scotland series, The Kane Brothers series, The College Pact series, and Corner of Ocean and Bay.
A Jersey girl at heart, Gina has spent her twenties traveling the world, living and working abroad, before settling down in Ontario, Canada with her husband and three children. She's a voracious reader, daydreamer, and coffee enthusiast who loves meeting new people. Say hey to her on social media or through www.ginaazzi.com.
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