I stilled, catching the shift in her tone, along with her reference to the guy I’d dated my senior year in college.“You’re talking about James.”
She hesitated, then nodded.“I just don’t want you to close yourself off because of what happened with him.You haven’t dated anyone seriously since and that was years ago, Morgan.”
I glanced away from my friend’s stare, the memory surfacing despite my best efforts to keep it buried.James.My college boyfriend, or at least I had thought he was my boyfriend.We’d spent months together.Late nights studying, long conversations, and the kind of sex that felt like it meant something.I’d fallen for him.Hard.
And then I found out he didn’t feel the same way.I had faced rejection and humiliation all in one fell swoop and not only was I blindsided, but completely devastated too.
“I thought we had something real,” I said, meeting her gaze again.“He told me he wasn’t looking for anything serious, but I didn’t believe him.I thought if I just waited, if I was patient enough, he would change his mind.That he’d realize he loved me, too.”God, I’d been such a fool.
Whitney reached out, squeezing my hand.“I know.”
“But he didn’t.”I forced a smile, even though the old hurt still stung.“He met someone else.Fell for her in, like, two weeks.Suddenly, he was ready for serious.Just not with me.”
“He was an idiot,” Whitney said fiercely.
“And I was just a convenient hook-up.”I’d also spent way too much time wondering whyIhadn’t been good enough for him, beyond what I now recognized as regular booty calls.“Either way, I learned my lesson.I’m not going to chase after someone who doesn’t feel the same way about me.And I’m not going to settle for less than I deserve just because I’m afraid of getting hurt again.”But I also wasn’t a serial dater and didn’t want to waste my time with someone I had no chemistry with.
Whitney sighed, resting her chin on her hand.“I get that.I do.I just don’t want to see you close yourself off completely.You have these insanely high standards, and I’m worried you’re going to miss out on someone great because you’re too busy looking for those fireworks right away.”
I considered her words.Whitney had known me since freshman year in high school, and she had a knack for cutting straight to the heart of things in a way only a best friend could.Maybe she was right.It was hard to admit that I had a bad habit of overthinking when I looked for romantic partners.I had to wonder if I’d passed up opportunities for a genuine connection because I was too hung up on looking for a man that ticked all my boxes right away.Maybe I was missing out on what could be something special because I was too wary of trusting a man and his true intentions.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally said, because I didn’t know what else to say.
She smiled, bumping her shoulder against mine.“That’s all I wanted to hear and I don’t mean to give you a hard time.I just want you to be happy.I know you’ve always hoped to find true love, and I want to see that happen for you.”
Something in my chest softened and I smiled back at her.“I appreciate that, and you.Really.”
Just then, Becca returned to the table with a waitress following her, who was holding a tray of Fireball shots and one glass of what looked like a soda for Becca.My sister-in-law looked flustered, her cheeks red and her shoulders slumped.Something was wrong.
“Hey, what’s going on?”I asked Becca as the waitress set the drinks on the table.
Becca bit her bottom lip and pulled me aside so that we were out of earshot of the others.“It’s so embarrassing.My card was declined when I tried to close out the tab.I have no idea why.I need to call Parker.You know he handles all our finances.Maybe something’s up with the account.”
I nodded, trying to reassure her.Parker, my stepbrother, was a computer genius with a knack for numbers.He managed their bills and investments and kept their household running smoothly.If there was an issue, he’d figure it out.
“I’m sure it’s just a mistake,” I said gently.“Do you want me to pay the bill for now?”
Her eyes widened and she quickly shook her head.“No way,” she said, looking even more embarrassed.“I don’t want you to pay the bill on your birthday.This was going to be my treat.”
“I know,” I said, placing a hand on her arm.“But really, Becca, it’s not a big deal.If you’re that worried about it, you can pay me back later, okay?”
She hesitated, pride clearly warring with practicality before she sighed.“Okay, fine.But Iwillpay you back.”
We returned to the table long enough to take our shots.Whitney lifted hers, eyes sparkling.“To Morgan!”
“To Morgan!”everyone echoed, their voices overlapping in laughter.
The Fireball’s cinnamon burn slid down my throat, warm and sweet, chasing away the last traces of work stress and old heartbreak.“I’ll be right back.”I set my empty glass down and grabbed my purse.
I headed to the bar to settle the bill, weaving through the crowd.The DJ had just taken a break, so people from the dance floor were gathering around, trying to grab fresh drinks before the music started again.
I slid into an open space at the end of the bar, sandwiched between a couple who couldn’t keep their hands off each other and a man who looked overdressed for a random bar.His tuxedo jacket hung on the back of his bar stool.His crisp white shirt was open at the throat, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and his black tie hung loose around his neck.His dark brown hair was thick and styled back off his forehead, and the faintest shadow of stubble darkened his jaw.
He was sexy as hell and looked like trouble in the best possible way.And when his eyes flicked toward me, skimming me from head to toe, it felt like a physical touch.My skin tingled everywhere his intense gaze lingered.
“Can I help you?”the bartender asked, jolting me out of my daze.
I pulled my eyes away from the gorgeous, formally dressed man.“Uh, yes.My friend just tried to pay our tab and had a little trouble—”
