Owen Chapter One

Owen stepped into The Striped Keg bar and looked around. The dim lighting was a stark contrast to the well-lit street he had just come in from.

Men and women chatted throughout the room, most standing at tables with a few lining the bar. He came here specifically to avoid too much conversation. Plus, as it was across town, no one recognized him.

They could if they looked hard enough, but few ever did, and that was what he wanted. A drink and some peace.

Walking around the old wooden bar, he took a seat at the far end and waited for the bartender to notice him. It had been a disastrous week, one he’d like to forget, and here where he blended in, it helped.

“What can I get ya?” the bartender asked.

He handed over his card. “Start a tab. I have a ride home, didn’t drive here. Scotch.”

He always made it a point to let the bartender know he wasn’t driving. It helped make sure he wasn’t cut off before he was done for the night.

“All right.” With a curt nod the bartender walked away.

“Excuse me?” A pretty blonde in a black dress approached him. “Are you Kyle?”

Owen shook his head.

“Damn. Mind if I sit here?” she asked as she set her small purse on the bar and sat down without waiting for an answer. “Why I let my sister set me up on some stupid blind date with a guy name Kyle of all things, I’ll never know. Then he’s not even here on time? Way to set the tone.”

As much as he didn’t want to be, he had to admit he was intrigued by the plain-speaking woman next to him. She didn’t even seem to care if anyone was listening to her monologue, just kept on going.

The bartender brought Owen’s drink over and turned to the woman.

“A beer, please. Whatever’s on tap is fine.”

“Add it to my tab,” Owen said without thinking.

It was stupid. She was going to sit here now and keep talking to him and there went all hope for his night of peace.

“You don’t have to do that,” she told him as the bartender walked away.

“Looks like you could use a good break tonight, figured maybe it would cheer you up.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you,” she said boldly, causing Owen to choke on his first sip.

“What?”

“Just because you bought me a drink and my date didn’t show, I’m not so grateful that I’ll drop my panties for you tonight. I don’t do one-night stands.”

Owen couldn’t hold back the bark of laughter that spilled out. “You’re very blunt,” he told her.

“No sense in not saying what you mean here in a dark bar with strangers. If you want, I can pay for my drink myself when he comes back with it.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind paying for it with nothing in return.” He flashed his most charming smile at her. “I didn’t intend to get anything for it as it was.”

“Thank you.”

Her drink showed up a moment later and he let the bartender know she was on his tab until he closed out.

“Why’d you think I was your date?”

“Wishful thinking, perhaps?” She shook her head at herself before turning back to him. “You were late getting here and your tie is the right color.”

“My tie?” It was a light green, one he wore often, favoring the color.

“Yeah, he’s supposed to be wearing a green tie. That’s vague enough, but what shade of green? There’s so many, and then so many men in here with green ties.”

He nodded as he listened to her ramble on about ties. She was animated when she talked, and he found himself enjoying it and her company. Normally he carried the conversations but didn’t feel the need to with her.

“Sorry,” she said suddenly.

“For what?” He tilted his head, trying to figure out what happened.

“I always talk too much. It’s a fault of mine and annoys people.” She sipped her beer as though that was making it all better because she couldn’t talk.

“Oddly enough, I was enjoying your speech on ties and the various colors of green.”

“Liar,” she said but then grinned up at him.

“I am in a position where I don’t want to be the only one talking but I seem to always be doing just that. Having someone I don’t need to pretend I want to do all the talking with is refreshing.”

“Well, flattery will get you everywhere,” she laughed. “Except my bed.”

“Got it. Not sleeping together tonight.”

She shook her head but laughed.

“Excuse me, are you Jenna?” A man in a poor-fitting suit stood next to her.

Still facing him, he could see the indecision on her face as she looked back at who had to be Kyle. He looked like a jerk and was definitely older than both of them.

Finally, she answered, “I am. Are you Kyle?”

He nodded and then didn’t even bother to hide it as he checked her out from head to toe. “Must be my lucky night. You are stunning.”

Owen rolled his eyes and sipped his scotch. This guy was going to get nowhere with her and he was interested in watching it happen.

“Sorry, if you were looking for a hookup, let me save you the time. I won’t be sleeping with you for at least a few months, if you last that long.”

Thank God he had already swallowed his drink or he would have choked on it again. Owen let a small smile sneak out as he watched Kyle try to decide what to say to that.

“Months?” Kyle asked, the shock evident on his face.

“At least three, maybe six,” Jenna confirmed.

“Umm, well, I,” Kyle stammered and pulled at his collar.

Taking pity on him, Owen jumped into the conversation. “Dude, just cut your losses and find a new bar and date.”

Kyle seemed to just register his presence as his gaze slid to Owen. “I mean, it’s not that we had to tonight, but like, that’s a long time.”

Owen just shook his head. “Go on.”

Kyle seemed slightly relieved as he spun and disappeared into the crowded bar.

“You really should have let him sweat it out a bit longer.”

“Couldn’t. The man looked like he was going to pop before he ever managed a sentence.”

“A pity he was only looking to get laid. I’m never letting my sister set me up again. Where’d she even meet him?”

Owen laughed. “He looks like a used car salesman, and not a very good one.”

Jenna threw her head back and laughed. “God, yes. That’s exactly it.”

“Months, huh?’ Owen arched an eyebrow at her.

“For him? Absolutely. If ever.” She looked at her phone. “He’s almost an hour late and was clearly checking me out before he decided if he wanted to have the date. It’s going to be a no, bud.”

“Bud?” Owen teased.

“He looks like he calls people bud.”

He agreed and nodded. The man one hundred percent looked like he did. “Well, now that you have no date tonight, what are you going to do?”

“You’re not my date?” Jenna fake pouted before giggling. “Don’t look so horrified. I’m not trying to trap you.”

“Not horrified, more curious,” he answered simply. “So what was supposed to happen on this date?” Curious now, he found he wanted to keep the conversation going and know more about her.

“I assumed we’d chat over drinks and decide if we wanted a second date. Didn’t really think about it that deep to be honest.”

“What a crummy date,” Owen said.

“I agree. I really should have just stayed home.”

“Now, that I wouldn’t have agreed with.”

Just then Kyle walked by again. “Months,” he muttered, shaking his head before turning into the crowd again.

“Dude’s a creep,” Owen observed. “Want to get out of here?” he asked her.

Jenna pinned him with a look that had him backpedaling.

“To get pizza. I swear. It’s walking distance, too.”

She stared at him for a moment, and he knew she was deciding whether to believe him or not before she nodded.

“Bartender!” Owen called. “I think we’re ready to pay.” So much for the tab he’d been planning to run up.

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