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.She was talking to the bartender while he mixed a drink for her.I wondered what she was having.“Divide and conquer?”“Those three girls.All noticeable.I guess you're going to go for the redhead, right?” Max stomped on my foot under the table.I flinched and glared at him.“Right?”“She's way out of my league, man,” I said.“Way out.And Nikki-”“Nikki's not here,” Max said.“And you're not going to bring this girl back to a hotel, are you? Shit, you know how I feel about Jess, but I'm not going to pass up having some fun.”“But I don't feel-”“Stop being a pussy, Kev.I'm going to ask that blonde if I can buy her a drink,” Drew declared.He stood up, a little unsteady, but grinning like a fool.“You're coming with me, Max,” he added.“Who, me?”“Yeah, you.I'm going to throw you at the brunette.Surprised you're not going for the redhead.Whatever, just buy her a drink, right? Kev, man, we'll mention our other friend is just holding the table, maybe the redhead will come over and talk to you.We'll tell them you're just shy.” Drew grabbed at Max, but missed.“I'm coming, don't embarrass me,” Max snapped.He stood up and brushed himself off, then followed in Drew's wake.The two girls looked up as my roommates approached.They were too far away from me to hear what they were saying, but before long, Max pulled a chair over and Drew headed to the bar.He flashed me a quick thumbs up sign out of their line of vision.I sighed and refilled my glass.I'd go over and join them in a few minutes so I didn't have to sit and drink by myself in a booth like a common drunkard.He stepped up to the bar just as the redhead walked back to the table.She paused before sitting down and I could see Max talking to her, probably introducing himself.He must have mentioned me, because all three girls looked at me.I froze and my face burned.I looked deeply into my beer and wondered if I could drown myself in it.The redhead stood up.She looked in my direction, then drifted around the tables toward me.Her hair was still sparkling whenever she passed beneath a light.She was walking in my direction.I felt my mouth go dry and took a quick drink before she arrived.I couldn't believe it had actually worked.More to the point, what the hell was I going to say to her? What would I tell Nikki?She paused as she reached the booth.At this distance, I could see that she had a scattering of freckles across her cheeks.Her eyes were a dark green and she was watching me without saying anything.I put the beer down, trying to keep from trembling.“Hi,” I said.“Hi,” she replied.“Mind if I join you?”“Not at all,” I said.She sat down across from me and placed her drink on the table.I could smell coffee.“Just coffee?”She smiled.“Irish coffee.Heavy on the coffee.You?”“Just this terrible beer my friend ordered,” I said.“Fresh from the cat.”Her smile grew.“Your friend said you were a little shy.I'm not sure he was telling me the truth.” Her voice was a comfortable alto, her tone a little teasing, a little playful.I shrugged.“Max exaggerates sometimes.”“And your other friend?”“Drew makes Max looks like a paragon of truthfulness.Some sort of paladin.”She laughed, a carefree laugh that I wanted to hear again.“Max and Drew.And what's your name?”“Kevin.You?”“Call me Star.” She folded her hands under her chin and smiled at me.“As dramatic as it sounds, it's just a nickname.”“I like it,” I said.“Does it refer to your hair sparkling?”“You noticed?” She looked pleased.“It's hard not to notice.I like that too.”“Thank you, Kevin.” She laughed again.“Are you from around here? I don't remember seeing you around here before.”“No, I'm from Pennsylvania, go to school in New York.We're taking a road trip to Florida over our summer break,” I told her and reached for my drink.She reached for it as well, brushing my hand out the way.I watched as she raised the glass to her lips.“You're right.This is cat piss.Your friend has no taste.” I chuckled and she grinned playfully at me.“Summer break
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