Don't Fall in Love with the Flirt

Chapter 2: The Good Guy Saves The Flirt

"Do you want another drink?"

Sebastian asked as he gestured towards Jasmine's empty glass.

"No, I think I've had enough," Jasmine rolled her eyes and smiled. "No amount of alcohol is going to erase the mortifying experience of having cocktails thrown at me. I'll go ahead."

Jasmine prepared to go. She placed her phone inside her purse and stood up. As she turned, she saw Mike walking toward her.

"Hey, Jasmine," he called out. "There you are."

Jasmine groaned inwardly. Of course, Mike would show up now.

"Hey Mike," Jasmine forced a tight smile. "I thought you left."

"I did," Mike said as he reached the bar. "But one of the guys texted me about Paige going crazy on you. I had to come back and make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine," Jasmine assured him quickly. "You don't have to worry about me."

"Are you sure?" Mike asked as he looked at her with concern. "Because I would hate for anything to happen to you. Can I take you home?"

"Oh, that's not necessary," Jasmine said as she shook her head. "You can go ahead."

"Please, let me do this for you," Mike insisted. "It's the least I can do after what happened."

Jasmine opened her mouth to refuse again when Sebastian spoke up.

"Actually, Jasmine and I are just about to have another drink," Sebastian said.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were with someone," Mike said, looking at Jasmine with confusion.

"Yes," Jasmine said quickly. "Sebastian is... Uhm...my boyfriend."

Jasmine had always been a bad liar but she had to roll with this now. She didn't want Mike to think she was having a drink with another random guy just moments after Paige branded her of being a shameless flirt.

"You have a boyfriend?" Mike asked, looking at Sebastian, obviously surprised.

"I know I should've made that clear earlier," Jasmine moved closer to Sebastian who was still sitting on the bar stool. "We could've avoided all the drama with Paige. Right babe?"

Jasmine looked up at Sebastian with a pleading look. She clutched his arm tightly as if her life depended on it.

"Yes," Sebastian agreed slowly. "I'm Jasmine's boyfriend."

"Right," Mike said with an awkward laugh. Mike didn't seem to believe what he heard. He remained rooted to the spot.

Jasmine moved closer to Sebastian and hugged his waist. She felt shivers run down her spine as his arms went around her, too.

"Well, I'll just leave you two lovebirds alone then," Mike finally got the hint and left.

"Bye, Mike," Jasmine called out.

As Mike walked away, Sebastian looked down at Jasmine with amusement.

"Boyfriend?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It was the only thing I could think of," Jasmine started to remove her arms from Sebastian but he resisted and kept his arms around her.

"Slowly. He's still watching us, you know," Sebastian said as he gestured towards Mike who was standing near the door, looking back at them.

Jasmine was sure she was redder than a tomato at this point, hanging on to this stranger she barely knew. Sebastian's body heat was making her feel dizzy.

Sebastian very slowly unwrapped his arms from around Jasmine.

"Thanks for not ratting me out," Jasmine said as she finally managed to take a step away from Sebastian. "But you were the one who had to open your mouth and say we were here together."

"I was just trying to help," Sebastian said with a shrug. "I didn't think he would take no for an answer when you refused to go home with him."

"Mike seems like a good guy but I don't want to lead him on," Jasmine explained. "And I didn't want to risk any more flying margaritas tonight."

"Speaking of margaritas, I'll as again, how about another drink?" Mike gestured to the back of the pub where Mike was still hanging out. "It seems margarita man over there is still hoping I'll leave you alone."

Jasmine took a couple of bills from her purse. "On me."

"No, no, I've got this," Sebastian waved away the bills. "I suggested the drink, remember?"

"I insist," Jasmine pushed the bills down on the counter. Sebastian ordered a club soda and since she didn't want to drink any more alcohol, she ordered the same.

"I must say I've never had a girlfriend who paid for my drink before," Sebastian joked as he took a sip of his drink.

"And I bet you didn't have a girlfriend whom you've just met barely an hour ago."

"Well, technically that's not true," Sebastian said with amusement in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Jasmine joked back. "Is it a habit of yours to make random women your girlfriends on the same night?"

"I meant about us just meeting tonight," Sebastian clarified.

"Wait, do we know each other?" Jasmine asked, furrowing her brows. "Oh God, did I date you before?"

"No, nothing like that," Sebastian laughed.

"You really don't remember me, Jasmine Lopez?"

--

Whoah! Have you ever been in the same situation - when you don't remember someone you've met before?