Chapter 7
Chapter 7:
My fingers ran through my hair as I settled onto one of the bar stools. I rested my elbows on the countertop, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
Was I dreaming? Or had I felt Asher’s lips on my head? Why had his heart been beating so fast? Was he worried about something?
“Hey p>
A deep male voice interrupted my thoughts. I lifted my head and nearly skipped a heartbeat when my eyes landed on the face of a handsome guy who looked almost identical to Regé-Jean Page.
Wait. Forget I said that name. Or you know what—fuck it. We’ve all had celebrity crushes before.
Still, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The man standing in front of me could easily pass as Regé-Jean Page’s twin, with his sexy brown eyes and perfectly shaped stubble. His nose was sharp and straight, his short raven-black hair perfectly styled. And his lips—well, they were as pink as pink could be.
“Hey,” he said again, snapping me out of my ridiculous assessment.
Even his deep voice was a bonus.
“Can I sit with you?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure.” I shrugged, still trying to gather myself. He slid onto the stool beside me and placed a set of keys and a bottle of water on the counter.
“So, uhm, forgive me if this sounds creepy or stalkerish,” he said with a small smile. “But when you walked in, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Allow me to say that you are beautiful p>
“Oh, thanks.” I smiled back, tucking my hair behind my ear. His smile widened, and briefly, I felt a knot twisting in my stomach. I didn’t know if it was because my mind wasn’t in the best state to be receiving compliments—especially from strange men—or if it was simply because this stunning guy had a way of setting someone on fire with his breathtaking, charming smile.
“I’m Dominic,” he introduced himself, extending his hand.
“I’m Isla,” I replied, taking his hand in mine for a handshake. His hand was warm and so soft it felt like I was holding a foamy sponge.
We withdrew our hands from each other’s grasp.
“Your necklace is beautiful. Must have cost a fortune,” he said, pointing toward it.
“Yeah, well, it was gifted to me today by my best friend Asher. Actually, today is my birthday p>
Wait. Why the hell am I telling a total stranger that today is my birthday?
“Oh wow, Isla, that is… that is so great and wonderful. Happy birthday p>
I blushed a little. “Thank you p>
He smiled at my response, and God help me, he looked so charming.Well Isla, maybe the reason why you told this hot guy it’s your birthday is because he looks handsome and so damn cute.Shut up! I smacked the voice in my head.
𝖂𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖋𝖔𝖗
Dominic turned on his stool to face me fully. “So, Isla, what do you have planned for today? Do you have any party you want to throw or p>
“Oh no, Dominic,” I cut him off. “I’m not usually the birthday party type. More like the indoor, close family and friends celebration type. Actually, I’m here with my friends. They handed me the cutest and most lovable birthday surprise p>
“Oh wow, that’s beautiful,” he said, nodding. “You must have wonderful friends who love you so much, to be able to surprise you at a resort like this p>
“Well, I agree with you on that. I have lovely friends p>
“So where are they?” he asked, glancing around.
“Uhm, I left them for a while to get myself something to drink here p>
“Oh wow. Thank God I came up to you in time. Order anything you want. All the birthday girl’s bills are on me p>
I chuckled. “Take it easy, Dominic. I’m here to have tequila p>
“Then tequila it is.” He winked at me and turned, waving at the bartender. The bartender looked at him with a pleasant smile.
“Four shots of tequila, please p>
The bartender nodded and began preparing the order.
“Four shots?” I asked, a little bewildered but amused.
“Two for you and two for me,” he answered. “I don’t actually know if you’re a fan of tequila, so I figured four shots would be the safest option p>
I laughed, and he joined in.
“Well, you’re in luck, Dominic. I’m not planning on having much tequila anyway p>
He shrugged. “Okay p>
The bartender placed four shots of tequila in front of us, along with a plate of four small circular slices of lemon.
“Alright, Isla, grab a shot,” Dominic said, taking one of the glasses into his hand.
I laughed and picked up one too.
“To the most beautiful birthday girl I have ever seen. Cheers p>
We clinked our glasses together and downed the liquid in one swift motion. Each of us grabbed a lemon slice and sucked on the sour juice.
I gritted my teeth. It had been a while since I’d had tequila, but drinking it with this stunning guy made even the burn and sourness feel like part of a wonderful experience.
We were about to grab another shot when the door opened and Sandra squealed my name.
My attention snapped to the entrance, where I saw Sandra and Ethan walking toward me, their fingers entwined like star-crossed lovers.
But then my eyes shifted to another figure still standing at the door. I froze when my gaze locked with Asher’s, who looked as though he were glaring at the mini demigod seated beside me.