Playing for Keeps

Sandalwood

Lily POV: 

We arrived at the noisy bar to find that Liam and Josh were already there waiting for us. Tanya practically ran to hug Liam while I stood behind her feeling super awkward. When they break apart Liam smiles at me and turns to give me a hug while Tanya says hi to Josh. I turn to see Josh and give him a small wave. Last time we were in this situation, my self esteem suffered greatly and with how I am feeling right now, I don't think I can handle another rejection. 

On our way here Tanya told me I can't run off as soon as I get to the bar pretending we are getting a drink, which yeah was my plan. So I gave her a nod and told her I can guarantee an hour max to which she agreed. 

We took a seat at the table when I feel a tap on my shoulder, I turn to see Josh who is looking even more handsome than last time I saw him smiling at me. I can see the small blush on his cheeks when he passes over a shot to me and says "To a redo" making it sound more like a question than a statement. I nod as I smile and we both take the shot, the liquid stinging on the way down. 

"So I have to ask you something" Josh says after a few minutes of conversation. "Oh, sounds serious, what is it?" I reply.

"I- uh, did I do something wrong last time?" he asks his eyebrows sinking into his face as he looks at me wide eye. I feel very confused and it is noticeable when I reply "what do you mean?"

"Well, you ran off last time, I- I've been thinking if maybe I did something wrong, or if I'm not your type its fine" he replies rapidly. I look into his eyes because I am extremely confused about what he is talking about. Last time, he practically said he was dragged to the date, I'm not sure what I am missing. 

"ah, I mean you definitely are everyone's type just an FYI, but I got the impression you were not into the date. I thought I had saved you from having to deal with me."

"What? why would you think that? I, well, I really thought you were extremely beautiful, and I was nervous so I'm not sure if I said something wrong. I do need you to know, this second date was me pleading with Tanya to convince you. The more she gushes over you the more convinced I was that I want to get to know you." 

I stare at him with my mouth open, realizing that he was not pushing me off last time, he was nervous. "I'm so sorry, I thought you didn't want to be there and he had dragged you along. Thank you for trying again" I smile at him and I see him smiling brightly as he leans over to grab my hand. 

I don't even notice the hour has passed when my alarm starts going off, it's now 11pm and the hour I promised Tanya was up. I turn to look at Tanya as she gives me a questioning look, one saying are you really going to leave? I sigh and put my phone back in my pocket.

I look over to Josh who is talking to Liam about something when I start to get up. "I'll be right back" I yell as I start heading to the bathroom. I take out my phone again, hesitating on sending Jack a message, not sure what I could say. I decide against it and I put my phone back in my purse letting out a small sigh. I feel so out of my element, here I am with an very handsome man and my mind continues to go back to Jack. 

I walk toward the bar area, I need another shot to get my mind straight. The bar area is packed of people and I am looking around to see how I can move to the front when I take a step back and bump into a strong body that smells like sandalwood. I turn to see a handsome face looking at me. The man is gorgeous and is wearing a tight shirt that hugs his body in all the right places, and that smile- warm and welcoming, reminds me of home. 

"Fuck I'm sorry" I say feeling my cheeks getting red. I look over to his hand where I see I made him lose half of his beer to the ground. "Shit, let me get you a new beer, I can't let you go walking around with an empty glass" 

"Are you hitting on me?" the man smirks and I feel my heart stop. "I, I uh no no" I say unsure of myself. What is wrong with me, why is this man making me feel like a teen girl. 

He laughs and says "I'm joking, what are you trying to get from the bar?" 

"Uh, a shot, and your beer." I respond timidly. "Wait for me here, let me squeeze through and-" 

"Don't worry, my friend's up front" and he takes out his phone to text said friend. We stand there in silence, him staring at me with warmth in his eyes, and me feeling very self-conscious.  Two minutes later a guy in a baseball cap comes towards us with three shots and a beer. 

"Oh hey, here" he says handing me a shot. He gives his friend another one as he puts his drink to the middle. The cute guy looks over at me, his eyes sparkling as he puts his shot to the center and says "To new friends" I smile whole heartedly and clink the shot before the three of us throw back the shot. 

"How much I owe you?" I ask the friend. "On the house, here I got you a beer as well" he says as he hands me the beer and stretches his hand for me to shake. "Scott nice to meet you" I smile and shake his hand, "Liliana" I turn to see the handsome guy and he extends his hand to me as well "Nice to meet you Liliana, I'm-" before he can finish his sentence I am pulled by the arm.

"Hey girl, what you doing?" Tanya says shooting me daggers. I look over at the two guys and say "Thanks for the shot and the beer, duty calls" shooting them a wink as we walk away.