Behind Closed Doors by Ashelyn Drake Page A

with the guy of my dreams. I just have to find him.
     
    We finish our meal, and I try not to stare too much at Darren. It’s so pathetic that I’m already thinking of him by name, as if I know him. All I know is he works here at McEntire’s Pub and he doesn’t mind eating alone. I don’t know how he does it. I’ve never been able to eat alone—at least not in a restaurant. I need people to talk to.
     
    I lean across the booth. “Think I should go sit with him while he eats? It’s kind of sad that he’s here alone.” I’m not sure why I’m asking Noelle of all people. She’d never walk up to a complete stranger and offer to share a meal with him. I’m still surprised she took a chance and went after Andy, although it was completely obvious he was into her from the moment we walked into freshman orientation last spring.
     
    “Go for it if you’re feeling daring.” She laces her fingers through Andy’s and squeezes his hand. I’ve always been okay about not having a boyfriend, but right now my hand is feeling extremely cold and empty.
     
    I press my hands flat on the tabletop and push off. “I’m doing it.”
     
    “Good luck,” Andy says, and Noelle nods in agreement.
     
    I don’t think luck has anything to do with two people meeting. It’s about fate. The problem is I don’t have a clue what fate has in store for Darren and me. I grab my Mountain Dew, mostly so I’ll have something to keep my hands from fidgeting if I get nervous, and take the three steps to Darren’s table.
     
    “Hi,” I say, smiling down at him.
    His gaze meets mine, and he returns the smile. “Hi.” He briefly glances at Noelle and Andy, who are already kissing again. “Let me guess, you were feeling like a third wheel.”
     
    I nod in their direction. “For about two months now. Any chance you’re the type to save a damsel in distress?”
     
    He looks me up and down. “Why am I thinking you’ve never actually been a damsel in distress?”
     
    I laugh. Noelle always says my red hair and long legs make me look fiery and intimidating. I have to agree and fully admit to playing up my height. I’m five nine in flats, and I never wear flats. “Good guess, but I promise to keep you entertained if you save me from that .” I motion over my shoulder to my former table.
     
    Darren gestures to the empty chair across from him. “Be my guest.”
     
    I smile and sit down, placing my drink on the table. “Thanks. I’m Julia by the way.”
     
    “Darren.”
     
    “You work here, right?”
     
    “Yeah. I bartend four nights a week.” He eyes me. “Have I served you? I think I’d remember that.”
     
    I pick up on his flirty tone immediately. No way am I telling him I’m not twenty-one. He must be that, if not a few years older. “I heard you talking to the waitress. These tables are ridiculously close together.”
     
    “I’ll be sure to tell my dad to space the tables out more.”
     
    His dad? “Do your parents own this place?”
     
    He nods. “All my life.”
     
    That explains how the waitress knows what he likes to drink. As if she’s reading my mind, the waitress—Caroline, according to her nametag—walks up to the table. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were expecting someone,” she says to Darren, and I can’t help noticing a hint of disappointment in her voice.
     
    “Actually, I wasn’t, but it was a nice surprise.” Darren smiles at me, his eyes locking on mine.
     
    Caroline’s jaw clenches for a moment, but she recovers quickly and asks me, “Can I get you anything. A refill maybe?”
     
    Darren hasn’t even gotten his food yet, so I nod. “Sure.”
     
    Darren reaches for Caroline’s arm. “Bring her a piece of the mocha cake, too.”
     
    Caroline’s eyes linger on his hand, and she smiles. “Separate bills, right?”
     
    Darren lets go of her and looks at me. “No, it’s on me. After all, she rescued me from having to eat alone.”
     
    I can’t help it. I smile at