Kate narrowed her eyes at him immediately, though the grin threatening at the corner of her mouth ruined any real intimidation factor.
“Oh, you definitely ran over here.”
She pointed accusingly with her cup in a teasing manner.
“Like, concerningly fast. ‘Golden retriever who heard the treat bag open from three rooms away’ fast.”
Still, she was laughing by the end of it, shaking her head before taking another sip of the drink she already regretted ordering.
At his comment about coffee, her brow lifted.
“That feels less like a personality trait and more like a warning label.”
The raven-haired woman shifted slightly on the stool, turning more toward him now as the noise of the bar swelled around them. Somebody near the back cheered loudly at absolutely nothing, and she glanced over briefly before looking back at Dash with amused disbelief.
“See? This is exactly what I mean. Everybody here’s either falling in love, starting a fight, or making decisions they’ll apologize for tomorrow.”
Then her gaze dropped briefly to his empty glass before returning to the wink he threw her way.
And unfortunately?
That was effective.
“Oh, so now you’re rescuing me from my bad choices?” She asked, dramatic enough to place the palm of her hand lightly against her chest. “Very noble of you.”
A moment passed before she leaned one elbow onto the bar.
“Okay, but if you order me something horrifyingly sweet, I will judge you for it.” Her eyes narrowed again, though it was more playful this time around. “And I need you to know that my trust is both fragile and deeply conditional.”
Then, after the smallest pause: “…Also probably a vodka strawberry lemonade. Which feels embarrassingly on-brand now that I’m saying it out loud.”