Ethan's POV
I stood up from my barstool, straightening my jacket with exaggerated flair. "Watch and learn, amateurs. This is how a professional works his magic."
"Professional what? Professional striker-outer?" Jess snickered.
"Just watch." I ran a hand through my hair. "By the end of tonight, she'll be wondering why she gave me three strikes instead of going out with me."
Ashley nearly choked on her drink. "Want to put money where that mouth is?"
"Sure, why not?" I adjusted my collar with deliberate swagger. "A thousand bucks says I can get her to drop those strikes by the end of tonight."
Ashley's eyes went wide. "A thousand? Are you insane?"
"What's wrong? Scared you'll lose?" I grinned, enjoying their shocked expressions.
"More like scared about where we'd get that kind of mone
