Does this have a sense of gritty realism ? “Ah Ryan, you’re handsome sure, from the collarbones up. But all a woman needs to do is-“ Ryan snatched up a fistful of peanuts , tossing one into his mouth and assailing another at Liam’s unkempt hair. “You just drink the alcohol I shouted you, alright.” Liam’s smirk enlivened his features with electricity as the nut embedded itself in his gritty strands.

“Oh, I’ll enjoy every drop, but seriously, three o’clock …has her eyes all over you. You’re already naked, I’d say.“ As Ryan’s head turned with wry curiosity, Liam emptied his glass, swilling the final mouthful as amusement danced across his face. Ryan cursed under his breath, winking into the sea of bodies and forgetting Liam’s existence as he rose from his stool. “Finish my Hennessy Li’…” he trailed off as he disappeared under the dim filter of light, abandoning the counter with fascination.

“Yeah, you won’t be back,“ Liam muttered, tracing the rim of his glass in a dwindling circle as Ryan’s voice faded under the din of chatter.

“Somebody’s all on his lonesome over here, talking to himself?” As the female voice wove through his moment of bored introspection, her eyes caught him off guard. “I was not talking to myself,“ he replied with a grin. “It seems I was talking to you too-“

Her pale green irises held his blue gaze with a hint of unmatched mischief as she slid onto Ryan’s empty stool. “And he thinks he’s funny, huh?“. Liam’s broad grin, lopsided and drunken, propped up a dimple on his right cheek as he asked “Well he made you laugh didn’t he?“.

She was already reaching out and rearranging his grime-infused hair as her laughter interspersed the closing space between them. “Maybe he did, but can he talk me out of leaving here with my friends…he has twenty seconds by the way.“ Leaning into her touch as her fingers moved to the tender spot between his earlobe and hairline, he rasped. “Oh twenty seconds is more than enough I’d say. Gimme ten My friend abandoned his drink and now, wouldn’t it be irresponsible to leave it for me to finish? “ . She laughed, eyeing the drink and weighing his proposition with a pause as her hand retreated back to the countertop, and he caught her wrist in his palm. With a gesture toward the drink , he enveloped her grasp in his own. “Or , I could leave that here and we could find a quiet spot over in the corner, maybe you could tell me your name….” Liam raised his eyebrows in with the invitation and she smiled , starting to stand, sliding Ryan’s drink towards him. “Well …it’s been at least twenty seconds , but will I leave?” . Her eyes challenged him in return with a razor sharp gleam, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder blades as she turned to leave. “Oh, you dropped this” Liam said as her wrist slipped from his hand and he gazed at the floor, noticing a cylinder at his feet. She slid off into the crowd, leaving a bewildered Liam to retrieve the tube and rotate it between his knuckles. “Your lipstick…damn never mind.” He muttered, uncapping it in absent minded confusion, until a slip of paper fell out into his lap. As his fingers unfolded it and a scrawled line of digits stared at his intrigued eyes , she smiled. “Damn shame I won’t be calling you ‘Emma’ “he sighed , as he reached for Ryan’s half-drained Hennessy , his eyes glazing over. “After the hell Ive been through I bet you have enough problems-“ . Liam shoved the number into his jean pocket, as Ryan’s laughter intermingled with that of an unfamiliar woman’s. The scent of her still lingering in his nostrils as he downed the drink, noticing Ryan’s discreet absence , his fingers drifted back to his pocket. “Ah , hell with it, two can play your game…” Liam , wandering out of the crowded bar and into the crisp night air , ambled over to pay phone and punched out the number . A vibration rang out through his ears as he gasped into the air, twisting around inside the phone booth as a finger tapped on the glass. “Behind you stranger-“ the now familiar voice teased as he absorbed her striking features , and exited the booth, incredulous. “He is keen , huh? “ As he opened his mouth to reply, she lay a finger over his lips, the gleam of audacity only intensifying in her eyes. “Hello there, Liam.” His hand caught her elbow and he paused for a moment as he brushed her hand aside to speak . “Did you -eavesdrop on us back there, you cheeky-“ . Emma swiftly interjected, her lips forming a glossed smile as she leaned against the glass of the phone booth. “Your friend Ryan is quite the wingman , let’s say that…” As Liam’s intrigue guided his hand towards her bare clavicle, he hovered a finger questioning her . “Oh, and what did the charming devil tell you huh? That I was looking for trouble because , you might just be the kind of trouble I need”. The air was close as she shook her head, still positioned against the cool glass, contrasting the warmth in her reply. “No, he told me you’d had enough trouble , I know the feeling…” Liam , faltering slightly in his inebriated state, joined her against the glass , shoving both hands into his pockets “oh , you do huh? What did he tell you anyway? “ As she held his gaze , her scent hung in the air , mixing with the gasoline of the highway , as she explained . “He may have mentioned you were both involved in …events he wouldn’t go into actually. But he seemed to think you’d had a rough few months and wouldn’t be interested in talking. And while I don’t want to ask , I just wanted to test you back there , see if you were just playing…” His blue stare darkened, as he levelled with her . “Ryan means well and all , but I … it’s been awhile since I’ve even set foot in a bar. But I ain’t playing. Here I am in damned phone booth, looking stupid . Proof enough , right?”