Dylan, however, isn’t one to let things go. “Come on, man. Maybe you should find her again. Have another wild night to get your mojo back. Nothing shakes off some bad luck like a good shag.”
I shake my head, taking a sip of my beer. “It’s not that simple. I can’t see her again.”
“Why not? Did she turn into a pumpkin at midnight?” Brian jokes, still wiping away the overflowing beer.
I roll my eyes. “Funny, Brian. No, it’s just ...not gonna happen. I can’t really explain why.”
“Well, what about that new client you seem to have the hots for—what did you say her name was? Carmen?” Brian interjects, throwing his wet dishrag under the bar and grabbing a fresh one.
“Carlie,” I respond before I can think better of it. I wince, bracing for it.
Dylan turns to face me, his left eyebrow arched high. “Wait, wait, wait …Carlie—as in the infamous woman from said IG scandal? You havethe hotsfor her?”
I groan.
Brian, however, smirks mischievously. “Adam let slip that Carlie reminds him of his mystery woman.”
“Interesting …” Dylan says, waggling his eyebrows. “Tell us more about this Carlie.”
I sigh, taking a sip of my beer. “Carlie’s ...she’s real, you know? There’s no pretense with her. It’s refreshing—but confusing as hell.”
Brian leans back, his expression thoughtful. “Sounds like she’s got you all twisted up. What’s the plan, then? You gonna pursue her or what?”
I hesitate, the image of Carlie’s smile flashing in my mind. “I don’t know. After losing my job and dragging her into this mess, I’m not sure she’d appreciate that.”
Dylan claps me on the shoulder. “First step, stop moping. Second, maybe your brother is right for once. You’ve already done the damage. Maybe you should see if she’d be willing to give the rumor mill something real to gossip about.”
Brian chuckles, shaking his head. “That’s Dylan’s solution to everything—face it head-on with a dash of reckless optimism.”
Dylan grins unapologetically, the lenses of his glasses refracting the lights behind the bar. “Hey, it’s worked more often than not.”
I rub the back of my neck, feeling the weight of their words. “It’s not just about what I want anymore. This whole situation with the gym, Jillian ... it’s messed up. And Carlie, she’s caught in the middle of it. She’s just trying to get her confidence back up. I can’t fuck all that up.”
“That’s the thing about being in the middle, though,” Brian comments, leaning on the bar. “Sometimes you get a clearer view of both sides. Maybe she sees something in this mess worth exploring.”
Dylan snickers and a shitty grin replaces his features as he giggles darkly. “In the middle. Now there’s a picture.”
I roll my eyes, though the thought of being in the middle of two redheads could certainly be worse …
“Get your minds out of the gutter,” Brian dictates, lowering his eyebrows as he stares Dylan down.
Yet, it’s pretty damn clear we’re all thinking it, now.
Dylan clears his throat and itches the side of his head. “Anyway … speaking of messes, guess who strutted into the coffee shop today, complaining about having to pick up extra work?”
My interest is piqued despite myself and I hate it. “Shit, let me guess … Jillian. What did she say?”
Dylan takes a sip of his beer, watching me carefully. “She was ranting about having to cover for someone who got fired. Little did I know that was you. Thanks, by the way. Ever heard of sending a text, man?”
“Sorry,” I mumble, rubbing my temple with my middle finger.
He harrumphs, but continues, “She was irritated because she had to pick up the slack and train‘some floozie.’Piecing it all together, that’s gotta be this Carlie, I’d wager.”
My heart sinks at his words. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s her. Dammit.”
The thought of Jillian, with her manipulative ways, training Carlie makes my skin crawl. It was different when Carlie was just a new client with no association.
But now… Fuck, Jillian will put the screws to to Carlie and probably injure her in the process—all because she’s a vindictive bitch.