"Okay, okay," He chuckled. "What about that one?" 

Carson pointed to a man sitting at the bar. He was wearing an ugly red sweater and these big bug eyes that scattered around. 

I shook my head, cringing in spite of his laughing. "Absolutely not." 

"What's wrong with him, Princess?"

I slapped his arm, "Take this seriously."

He sighed, "There's no one good enough here right now. Let's wait it out a bit. Try me instead."

I scanned over everyone in the crowded restaurant. There was a pretty woman sitting by herself at the bar, but she had deep wrinkles around her eyes and a conservative outfit that suggested she was way too old to even entertain anyone at all. Too old. 

I looked over to the booths on the opposite side of the large room. There was a group of four girls, giggling obnoxiously loud as they passed their phones between each other. Too young.

I almost gave up when, as if on cue, a pretty new girl walked in. Long tan legs, shiny black hair, young face, and a bright smile. As I watched her converse with the hostess, I leaned back in my seat. This one would be fun to watch. 

I waited until the hostess left her station. "Her," I said, smiling.

Carson turned his head to see who I was talking about. He looked her over before turning back to me smugly, "Easy."

I put my hands up in surrender, trying not to laugh prematurely. I nodded my head at her, signaling for him to go on. 

I watched him intently as he got up from his seat and made his way over to her. He placed a hand on her back, immediately getting her attention. 

I couldn't make out what he was saying to her, but I kept my eyes on them. Carson's friendly smile slowly turned into a smirk the longer he spent talking to her. I almost got worried that he would pull it off. 

However, it didn't take much more time for the friendly smile on the girl's face turned into a disapproving glare. She started inching further away from Carson, and as she glanced around the restaurant, it was clear she was trying to find a quick exit. She removed his hand from her waist and made her escape to the bar. 

I laughed victoriously as Carson slumped back into his seat. Before I could even begin my taunting, he grumbled a 'shut up' to me. 

"Aw, looks like there are other girls immune to your charms. What a pity."

"Oh, wipe that look off of your face. You haven't won yet."

"Then pick someone! I want to win."

He sighed, "Fine, fine."

Carson's eyes rolled over the restaurant and the bar once again. And then I watched his brows dip in and a devious look take over his face. He smiled, innocently at me, and pointed a finger in a random direction.

I followed the length of his arm and extended finger to the same girl I had matched him up with. "Her."

He thought he had given me an impossible challenge, or one that I would forfeit. How wrong he is all the time is quite laughable. I smiled at Carson and silently got up from my seat. 

I quickly flattened out my clothes and tousled with my hair. I turned back around to flash Carson a smile before walking off. 

I made my way, confidently up to the bar, taking the spot right next to her. I signaled for the bar tender to bring me a drink, and as I patiently waited, I studied her over. 

Her composure was strong, defensive, definitely well-guarded. 

"Here you go, sugar," The bartender said breaking my stare. He slid me my drink and a napkin with it. I knew there was something written on it before it was close enough to read. Really, it was just my luck.

I slid the napkin in my direction, making sure it was in her line of sight as well. After taking enough time to read the number on it, I let out a dramatic, disgusted groan, rolling my eyes. 

I heard her scoff from beside me. "Men," She said, under her breath. 

"They're all horrendous," I agreed, not yet looking at her. I kept my guard up, cold and annoyed.

"Can't get away from them either," She added. Now I turned to look at her, trying hard not to smile too widely. 

"Sounds like someone speaking from a personal experience. "Father?" I guessed. 

"Nope."

"Coworker?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Brother?"

"Don't have one."

"Boss?"

"Ooh, good guess, but no."

"Boyfriend?" I tried.

She shifted her stance while laughing to herself, "More like ex boyfriend now."

"So what's the story?" I pushed. "Did he forget about an anniversary? Or did he just never remember to put the toilet seat down?"

"More like he got his assistant pregnant after having an affair with her for over half of our relationship," She responded, coldly. 

I rolled my eyes, "Disgusting."

"Tell me about it."

"Seriously? Do guys not think when they do anything?" 

"I don't think they have anything to think with."

"Can't argue with that."

"And then I come here, just to pick up some take out food that's not ready yet, and then a guy comes and hits on me-"

I tried to hold back a laugh, knowing she's talking about Carson.

"-and then that bartender hits on you," She shakes her head, "It's just all so frustrating. It's just-"

"Men," I finished for her.

"Men," She agreed. 

I waited a moment before moving closer to her, "Let's get back at them."

She laughed, "There's not enough time in the world to get revenge on every man that's pissed me off."

"So, then, what do we do?" I asked. I had to make her believe this was her idea in order for this all to work out. 

Her shoulders slumped for a second, before she turned her eyes back on me. She looked me over, head to toe, before a serious, definite look washed over her face. 

"We show them what they can't have."

"How?"

Her hand came to rest on the nape of my neck, and she pulled me into her. She grabbed my chin and kissed me. It started slowly, one of her hands on my waist, the other now on the side of my face, but it quickly picked up pace, and suddenly, the two of us were standing at a bar in a restaurant having a public, messy make out session. Her tongue was halfway down my throat, and my hands were tangled in her hair. 

I smirked the entire time, happy that not only had I won, but also that she was a good kisser. Call it a double win, if you will. 

"Um, Miss?" A soft, shy voice broke us apart. 

Her lips were swollen red, and her eyes were dark and mischievous. We both turned to the hostess, who held a brown paper bag in her hand. 

The girl looked at me once more, smiling, before grabbing the bag from the hostess and leaving. I touched my lips and giggled. 

I walked back to our booth and stood in front of a fuming Carson. Before I could say anything, he forcefully pushed me in the direction of the bathroom. 

"Looks like I win," I smiled. 

"Whatever," he groaned. 

"Thanks, by the way. She was a good pick after all."

Carson rolled his eyes, still staring daggers at me. 

I shook my head, "Stop being a poor sport just because I was able to seduce a girl that wanted nothing more than to get away from you."

He scoffed, "The deal was to get her to kiss you. You didn't have to have a five minute groping session!"

I shrugged, "It wasn't like you couldn't stop it at any time. You could have ended it whenever you wanted."

Carson shook his head and and smirked. He grabbed my hip and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs, out of habit, around his waist as my back crashed against the wall. He started kissing me, not having a care in the world if anyone saw. 

After a few minutes, he pulled away to catch his breath. 

He looked up at me and smiled, "I didn't need to break it up. That was a game. And she's not the one who gets to go home with you."

* * *