Of Course, It's You

Chapter 19

CARMEN

            Carmen walked with no actual destination aside from wanting to down a Guinness for her brother. But, instead of thinking of her brother, she was now thinking of the blonde again. This woman seemed to be seeping into every thought that Carmen had.

Carmen's phone pinged, startling her out of her daze.

Dani: How's it going? Did you have that talk yet?

How Dani had such eerie timing whenever something was going on, never ceased to amaze Carmen.

Carmen: Yeah.

Dani: How did it go? Everything alright?

Carmen: It went well. She said that she understands.

Carmen paused before sending another message. Should she be honest? Oh, hell, like it matters. It's Dani. She would see right through her anyway.

Carmen: I feel conflicted.

Dani: So, you DO want to go round 2?!

Carmen rubbed her temples.

After about a minute without a response, Dani sent another text.

Dani: Go do what you always do. You see something you want, and you go after it.

Carmen: Go after what?

Dani: Carm, you always work so hard. Whether you have actual feelings or not, whether it's just a distraction... maybe figure out if there's something there first?

Carmen: You make it sound so easy.

Dani: Because, maybe it is? Overthinking has always been one of your strong suits. Try not to do that right now. It's Friday night... go out somewhere, meet someone new, meet up with that woman again. Your options are endless dear.

Carmen looked up from her phone screen. How had she not realized just how close Rhonda's bar was to her hotel? Of all the damn places to end up standing in front of.

She was Carmen Mills. God damn Carmen Mills. Nothing could rattle her. This was just one woman.

She looked at her phone.

Dani: Also, send me a picture of her. I'm really curious now.

Carmen: Stop!

Dani: You're infatuated. I'm invested in this now. You've never been 'conflicted' about any other woman before.

Carmen wasn't someone who got nervous. But more than once, this week alone, she had. And, it all boiled down to one common reason; one person. And that one person had her eyes on Carmen walking in the door. She faltered only slightly. Her body tensed at the feeling of blue eyes watching her.

How in the hell? This couldn't be happening – not by chance.

She took a large inhale and sauntered up to the bar. She didn't feel like drinking anymore. Her palms were sweating and she desperately needed something to hold onto.

There were quite a few people waiting for drinks at the bar, so she waited as patiently as she could. Which, wasn't as patiently as she wanted to be.

"What are you drinking?" Someone asked.

Carmen jumped at the sudden interruption of her internal thoughts and worries. She turned to see Hannah standing next to her, head tilted. Without breaking eye contact, Hannah waved a hand in the air, and the bartender walked right up.

"Guinness," Carmen heard herself say quietly. She was so transfixed with those gorgeous and captivating eyes, that she had no idea who had even taken her order.