Fight or Flight

Part 3

"Leaving so soon? I hope it wasn't my attempt at being smooth." Gesturing toward the bar.

Ava quickly replies, "No, we were actually just coming over to thank you personally."

"We were?" I say and Ava gives me the obviously stare.

"Of course, we were", Ava says saving the moment.

Griff pulls into a small smile and leads us over to the crowded table. As we approach, I notice that the four men crowded around the small table all seem to know each other very well. They are joking around, pushing each other on the shoulder and laughing insanely loud. It seems as though they are on a team or perhaps work together. They are all dressed well and incredibly handsome, it is impossible not to notice.

Griff leads us to the table littered with pint glasses and points toward the group at each man. "These are my friends; Owen, Patrick, Ry and Pete. Guys, this is Erin and..." He gestures toward Ava and I quickly say, "This is Ava." He glances down to me with a smile.

The guys immediately turn their attention toward Ava, most men do. She has dark skin, large dark eyes and curves that most men find irresistible.

Brenden and Ry immediately stand up giving up their chairs for her. She gives them both a coy smile as she takes the chairs further away and motions for me to take the other. The guys immediately ask for our drink orders.

Griff looks at me and says, "House red blend?"

I give him a quizzical smile and say "Yes, thank you."

He leans in close and whispers in my ear, "I bought your drinks remember?"

He's so close that when he smiles, I can almost feel the curve of his cheek touch mine.

"Just a water for me, thanks. I have to be to work early tomorrow." declares Ava. And with that the table jumps on the topic of the emergency room and the insane stories that follow.

I watch as Ava enthralls the men at the table with stories of blood and her healing hands and blushes when she hears their accents. I think she is welcoming this distraction from her current boyfriend situation. 

I am pulled quickly from my thoughts when I hear the scrape of a chair on the floor getting closer to me. Griff sits down and laughs at his friends as they all show off. I look around and they are really laying it on thick for Ava's attention, I am not offended because I understand that my friend is stunning, brilliant and easily holds the attention of the room. Ry has his arm around her while Brendan is telling a story using more hand motions than one really needs.

"So, what do you do?" Griff asks.

"I work in the art industry"." I reply.

"Don't let her downplay it. She is actually a very talented artist." Beth interjects from across the table, pride shining as she speaks.

"You ladies have the most interesting jobs" Patrick says.

Griff looks at me in awe, "Is that true? You're an artist? Where can I see your work?"

I feel myself blush at his interest, "I am a painter, my work hangs in some galleries and I had a show last year. I wouldn't necessarily say I am driving a movement, but I think it speaks to some. Now I focus more on commissioned work."

"That is really impressive, I would love to see it." Griff looks so intently into my eyes when he says it, I immediately get a warm feeling in my stomach. I could blame it on the wine but for some reason I think it is more than that.

"Yeah, Griff I am sure you would." Pete says with an eye roll. The other boys look expectantly at Griff as if waiting for him to respond with something harsh. 

"Oh, I can't be interested in art?" Griff guffaws. "I apologize for my brother; he is mostly uncivilized."

"I didn't realize you were bothers." As soon as I say it, I can immediately see the resemblance. Pete has reddish auburn hair but the features are so similar I don't know how I didn't notice before and they were both incredibly tall.

"yes, we all grew up together but only Griff and I are related" Pete says.

"Where did you grow up?"

"Hell's Kitchen." All of them say in unison with that blend of American and Irish accents.

"Isn't it obvious we are Westies?" Brenden asks with an impish smile.

Having grown up on the upper east side I really didn't know much about the area. My father had a strong opinion of the surrounding boroughs as he also grew up in the upper east side. Coming from that kind of money there was never really another option for him to raise his family. It took me months to get him on board with me moving to the east village where I currently reside.

"We haven't actually lived there since we were kids. We all live in the village." Ryan states.

"What a coincidence, we both live here too." Ava says.

"Is it really a coincidence? It seems like everyone our age lives in the village." Brendan chuckles.

"Very true, I'm surprised we all haven't run into each other before."

"Oh, if we had met before I would have remembered." Ry says a little too seriously while looking Ava in the eye and the whole group laughs, but I see a smirk on Ava that I haven't seen in a long time. 

"On that note I really need to head home. Early morning, remember?" Ava looks at me waiting for me to stand and follow her.

The group of rowdy men we just met all audibly start groaning and begging her to stay. She laughs and declines their offer.

"Are you coming, Erin?"

Ry, Brendan, Pete and Patrick look around and notice their glasses are all empty, the group stands up ready to call it a night except Griff and I.

He looks at me while addressing the whole group and says, "I think I am going to stay. Are you up for one more drink, Erin?"

I look to Ava whose eyes are screaming "Yes, stay!" and I look back at Griff and reply, "yeah, sure, I think I will." With a smile.

Pete, Brendan, Ry and Patrick fake offense, Ryan leading with "Thank you for the invitation."

"No, no I couldn't stay for one more!" says Brendan.

"Not even if you begged me." Patrick says with an eyeroll.

Pete puts his hands on Griff's shoulders and says, "See you tomorrow, little brother." And he heads toward the entrance.

I hear Ryan say, rather loudly "Ava you and I can split a cab and Pete, Patrick and Brendan can split a cab."

"No way, I am going to split a cab with her. You assholes can walk home." States Patrick.

Ava gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and says "Text me when you get home. Those boys are going to be so disappointed when I get my own cab."

She gives Griff a quick up and down and says, "It was nice to meet you, take care of my girl." And just like that, she was out the door followed by the pack of Irishmen.

Griff gives a quick signal to the bartender without taking his eyes off mine and he's quickly getting us another drink.