Unveiling Destiny

Chapter 7: Griffin

We walk in just as karaoke is finishing up, and I immediately scan the crowd. Nothing. She isn't here yet.

Blake must not see them either, because he says, "Let's grab a drink and a table while we wait."

We do just that, but as we sit down, my worry rises. Blake must pick up on my nerves because he says, "Chill dude, she'll be here."

My phone dings, and I scoop it up, hoping to see a text from Aria that they're running late. What I see instead makes me scowl.

Watching my reaction, Blake tentatively asks, "Or maybe she won't?"

I scoff and just show him the phone, causing his eyebrows to disappear into his hairline.

"What the fuck?!" he exclaims. "What the hell is wrong with her?!"

I'm about to answer, still scowling at my phone when I hear, "Hey guys!"

I turn to find Katie, Aria closely in tow behind her. Katie looks good in a simple crop top and cutoff shorts, but my eyes slide to the beauty behind her.

I watch her dress swish around her as she steps up to our table. Watch her eyes as they finish their assessment of me and meet mine. Watch the lips that have been invading my dreams for weeks smile at me.

I click my phone off and slide it into my pocket. I refuse to play Lillie's games. Not tonight.

"Sorry we're late," Aria says sincerely. "Someone decided they needed to switch their outfit just as we were about to walk out the door."

The look she gives her friend leaves me confident in who caused the delay.

"Well, I'm sorry. The girls didn't want to stay put in the shirt I originally picked," she says, gesturing to her chest. "I decided I didn't need to flash the entire bar tonight while dancing."

"Bummer."

I whack the back of my best friend's head and he finally tears his eyes away from Katie's, admittedly large, chest.

"Sorry," he says with a shit-eating grin, making it clear he's not really sorry at all.

Aria laughs at Blake's clear attraction to Katie. "I wouldn't recommend it, Blake. She'll eat you alive."

Katie grins suggestively and winks at Blake before turning back to Aria. "Let's grab a drink?"

"Sure," Aria responds. "We'll be right back."

Blake and I stand up. "We'll come with you," I say.

"Oh- you don't have to. We'll only be a minute."

"We do if we're paying for your drinks."

"Oh no, that's okay! We can pay for our own," she says hurriedly.

"Don't be silly. What kind of guy asks a girl out but doesn't pay for her?" I smile, trying to reassure her.

Katie chimes in. "I know you have a weird thing about guys paying for you," she says, addressing Aria. "But I don't. I'll take a drink. I didn't even have to flash my tits to get it."

She smiles wickedly at Blake, grabbing his arm and dragging him off towards the bar. As they go I hear him say, "I mean, I wouldn't say no."

I snort in amusement before turning back to the holdout in front of me.

"No conditions. I asked you out. I'll pay. You owe me nothing in return."

I hold her gaze and offer my hand. After a moment of hesitation, she takes it, flooding my body with heat.