Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,3

show you my picture or anything? And why are you here then?” He glanced over my head as though someone else might somehow have the answers. The only one with the answers was Grace, and she was conveniently not there.

“I was supposed to be having drinks with friends.”

“Oh.” His eyes set on mine. “How about having drinks with me instead?” His lips twisted into a smile.

Talk about confidence. Too bad that wasn’t going to change the fact that I was angry and in no mood to deal with him. “Sorry, I’ve got to go.”

“Just one drink? I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

All week? Grace was really going to get it. We’d only planned the night out a few days ago. “There are plenty of girls here, I’m sure you’ll find someone to occupy your time.” I put a hand over my mouth. Had I just sounded that bitchy? He probably had no clue what he’d stepped into.

He laughed. “Feisty. Nice.”

And any sympathy for him disappeared at the use of the word feisty. “Not feisty and not nice.” I shook my arm, but it didn’t budge from his grip. I swore I’d start working out with weights more. “Listen, I’m sorry if you’re disappointed, but I never agreed to meet you.”

“I get that, but why leave now? Might as well enjoy the evening, right?” He smiled.

I sighed. “Let go of my arm, and I’ll think about agreeing to a rain check.”

“A rain check?” He glanced at his watch. “But it’s early. Why not have a drink now?”

“Because I’m annoyed, and nothing good is going to come of anything I do when I’m annoyed.”

He laughed. “Fair enough. Can I get your number? Maybe set something up without involving Grace?”

“How about you give me yours, and I’ll call you?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You mean so you can lose my number and never call?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You don’t think I will?”

“I know you won’t.”

“Then why bother getting my number? I could blow you off that way too.” I gazed longingly at the exit. It was so close yet so far away.

“No, you like being chased. I understand girls like you, and I’m willing to play the game. Usually the reward is well worth the effort.”

“Ok, offer to take your number revoked. Goodnight.” I turned away. What an arrogant jerk.

He grabbed my arm again. “What? I’m just saying it like it is.”

“Like it is? No, what it’s like is that you’re going to let go of me and walk away right now. Preferably forget my name.”

I used his momentary shock to slip away. I made it to the door and stepped out into the cool night.

Holding on to my arm once was one thing, but twice? I’d done the whole Neanderthal guy thing before, and I wasn’t interested in going there again. He’d turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life, and Brad was no different. He screamed alpha male asshole, and I didn’t need that in my life. Boring was better than that.

I dared one glance over my shoulder before walking around the block to my car. At least I’d parked close. I tossed my phone on the passenger seat.

I spent two minutes getting my car out of the cramped spot, miraculously sparing my car and the others from any scratches. I drove home slowly, in no real rush to face the giant empty house. It wasn’t my house.

A former professor had talked me into house sitting for one of his old friends. I didn’t mind the rent free part, but there was something depressing about living alone in a giant house when you were single and nearly broke.

I marveled at the live oaks as I drove down the narrow streets. I loved Charleston, but there were some things about urban life I’d probably never get used to. The house came into view. It was gorgeous. Three floors and right near the battery. It was so close to the water that you could nearly taste it, and you got an amazing view from the upper balconies. I had no trouble understanding why it was a stop on the historical tours, even if it did get annoying when people parked out front to take pictures.

I pulled around to the side of the house and parked in the small drive. When I got out, I did what I always did, I checked over my shoulder before walking up the wraparound porch. Living alone in a city wasn’t good