Did I know her?

Not likely anyone from my childhood. It had been twelve years since I’d lived in London. I briefly considered it might be a student from Whitman, but that seemed highly unlikely considering Raleigh was across the Atlantic.

Spider followed my eyes. “Ah, wonder what’s got her knickers in a twist?”

I shrugged, sussing her out as we moved closer to the bar area. “Guy problems?”

“Probably a real man-hater. Nice tits, though. I’d do her.”

I rolled my eyes. “Perhaps she just needs a drink. I do.”

“Admit it, you’d at least give her a poke,” he said. “You fancy her—I can see it in your eyes. She’s putting out something you like, I say. Maybe you like angry sex? There’s something to be said for really going at it and tearing into each other like animals.” A wistful expression crossed his face.

I laughed. Dude was a freak. “TMI, mate.”

He shrugged. “Hmmm, perhaps she’s looking for her rebound guy. Could be you.” Nodding his head in a way that told me he’d come to a decision, he said, “Which is why I’m making a bet that you can’t make that angry woman fall in love with you tonight. Annnd”—he drew the word out—“I’ll sweeten the pot—at ten thousand pounds.”

“What?” I sputtered. “I’m no rock star like you.”

“You have money.”

True. When my mum had passed, I’d inherited life insurance money, plus my father had bestowed an early graduation gift a few months back.

I shook my head. I might be a carefree kind of guy, but I wasn’t delusional. I had to save every penny if I wanted to be on my own someday and not depend on Father. “I’m keeping that for a rainy day.”

Which would be here in two weeks when school started.

He pursed his lips. “When did you become such a fucking boy scout?”

“I’m not a boy scout. I do whatever I want, when I want. I’m a party animal.”

He studied me, clearly not buying what I was selling. “Okay, fine. Let’s do this: ten thousand pounds if you win her heart, and if you lose, you give me the usual—one pound.”

I stopped in my tracks. “What’s in it for you?”

“The thrill, baby, the rush, that feeling that makes me high as the fucking sky.” He grinned crookedly. “So? You in?”

“I don’t know . . . one night is tough, even for a sexy guy like me.” I sent him an arched eyebrow. “Give me more time. I’m rusty.”

“You’re such a pussy. Nope. It has to be tonight . . . you in?”

I shrugged, knowing it drove him nuts when I didn’t commit to his bets.

He groaned. “You’re being a big girl’s blouse. Come on. Do it. Do it.”

“You’re annoying.”

“Thank you,” he smirked.

“You’re a dick who thinks blue hair is cool.”

“It is cool or I wouldn’t have it.”

“And a nutter.”

“Meh. Not the first time I’ve been called that. Admit it, you’ve had a good time babysitting me this summer. It’s given you time to gain perspective, yes?”

Realization dawned. “You’re going to miss me when I leave, aren’t you? I’ve been making you tea all summer, screening your calls from old girlfriends, cleaning your flat, washing your Mercedes, plus I’ve been your wingman. I’m practically indispensable. What will you do without me?”

“I’ll learn to knit and make you a bloody hat. Just agree to the bet already.”

I laughed. “Nope.”

But I was already making my way over to her.

As soon as the barstool next to her was vacated, I took it. Spider took up the other side of me, an excited look on his face as he eyed the girl in the blue dress who was trying to wave down a bartender. I thought I heard an American accent, but with one of the club’s music speakers close to where we sat, I couldn’t catch what she was saying.

A cackle erupted from Spider. “I’m sensing a victory already. You’re gonna cock it up.”

“First off, you have a serious gambling problem, and second, I have never been turned down.”

“Shut your gob, Sex Lord. Woo her.”

Without her knowing, I watched her in the mirror across from the bar as she blatantly checked me out, her head tilted ever so slightly in my direction as her eyes went from the top of my head down to my Converse.

I bit back my grin and flicked a look at Spider. “She’s in the palm of my hand.”

“Uh-huh,” he sang.

Things went sideways when a hot redhead swayed her hips over to me. She giggled. “My friends dared me to come over here and ask you to dance. You wanna?” she asked, hands lingering on my arm.

I grinned. “Sorry, love, can’t.” Keeping my voice low, I nudged my head at the girl in the blue dress. “I’m already spoken for.”

She got the hint and stalked off while the girl in the blue dress watched it all. I smiled broadly and cocked an eyebrow at her—hey, babe, I want YOU.

She ignored my eye messages, seeming immune to my charm. Dammit. This mask was a hindrance.

As I watched, the bartender leaned over the bar to flirt with her, his eyes all over her chest. I stiffened, my hackles rising.

No way was he getting any of that.

This was the first girl I’d been remotely interested in all summer, and I wasn’t giving her up to a lumberjack wannabe. I distracted him by snapping at him and ordering a drink.