Stirred: A Love Story Read Online Free PDF Page B

few words with Plaid Blazer, then stood at the door to the ladies’ room. Running a hand across his face, he wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. What the hell had he agreed to? Eh, what’s done is done, he told himself and knocked.
    “Sage?”
    Nothing.
    A tall woman, made even taller by heels that reminded Garrett of the fringe on a cowboy vest he wore as a kid, walked out of the bathroom. She glanced at him in confusion but then smiled.
    “Hey, is anyone else in there?” he asked, trying not to sound like a pervert.
    She started to shake her head of long black hair but paused. “Actually, someone is in one of the stalls. I think I heard her singing.”
    “Thanks.” Garrett slowly pushed open the door with the cut metal sign that read—Ladies. “Sage, are you in there?”
    A bang that sounded like someone kicked the stall was followed by a flush and then laughter.
    “Sage, I’m coming in.”
    “Garrett! Why are you in the girls’ bathroom? Was the little boys’ room broken? Wait, you’re not at this party.” Her voice echoed in the empty bathroom, which was dimly lit by an old industrial sign.
    Garrett locked the front door. There was no sense in scaring the crap out of some unsuspecting guest; he’d never hear the end of it from Logan.
    “Sage. Let’s get going. I’m your ride.”
    “What?” One more bang and then the stall door swung open.
    Sage stood, holding onto the edge of the door. She wasn’t hugging the porcelain bowl, so that was a plus, Garrett thought. She wobbled a little as she walked toward him, but she was balancing on some pretty substantial black leather boots that held his attention.
    “You all right?” he asked as she made her way to the sink and he tried not to notice her incredibly tiny skirt.
    Sage nodded and blinked her eyes a few times, as if that would somehow sober her up as she washed her hands.
    “Was Makenna busy? Why would she send you?” She glanced at him and although she looked like hot sex in that little silver skirt and a dangerously low-cut blouse— Eyes up, man, eyes up —the look on her face betrayed her. He’d expected to find a stumbling, drunk party girl he could laugh at before delivering her safely home. Instead, he was face-to-face with a beautiful woman who was genuinely surprised to find herself in this situation. Her eyes were dark and glossy as she waited for an answer. One benefit of the alcohol, Garrett thought, was she didn’t seem as nervous as she normally did around him.
    “No. She doesn’t know I’m here. You texted me,” he said.
    “I. . . no.” She pulled her phone out of some mystery pocket in the tiny skirt. “Oh shit, shit! I’m. . .” She put a hand to her face. “Like you have nothing better to do other than pick up my silly drunk ass? I mean, I didn’t have that many. I probably could have waited it out. God, I’m sorry. Why didn’t you text me back and tell me that—”
    “Sage”—he touched her arm, surprised at the scratch of the fabric—“we’re standing in a women’s bathroom and I’d like to get out of here. You texted that you needed a ride. I was right at Kenna’s babysitting Paige, so it’s not a big deal. Let’s go.”
    She appeared to pull herself together, but then Garrett took her hand and she paused, eyes closed and smiling. It was only a moment, but long enough for him to notice how small her hand felt in his, and then her eyes opened. He unlocked the door to two women waiting.
    “Sorry about that, ladies,” he said quickly, and Sage laughed.
    “What?” he asked as they made their way through the bar.
    “Nothing. This is a little funny.”
    “I suppose it is.” He glanced over his shoulder, still moving them toward the door but stopping at the end of the bar. “Before we leave,” he tapped Plaid Blazer on the shoulder and could feel Sage’s hand tense in his. “We’re leaving. Did you have something you wanted to say?” he asked the guy whose ego was now a little deflated.