“Three cosmos, please.” I tried to ignore the doubt creeping into my veins and resolving to enjoy my vacation for what it was. I’d have fun tonight if it killed me—no matter if I could be with Joe or not.
I pulled out my phone to shoot him a text.
Caterina:We just got here. I’m at the bar getting drinks. Congrats, this place is packed!
After shoving it back in my bag, I paid for the drinks and prayed I’d be able to make it to wherever the girls were sitting without spilling. I spotted Megan’s wave and headed in her direction.
“I’m on my game tonight, didn’t miss a drop!” I gingerly placed the glasses on the tiny table the girls found in the corner.
“Cosmos? Have we finally become theSex and the Citygirls? Over thirty and still going out for cocktails?” Claire joked before lifting a glass and taking a sip.
“Hey, when I watched reruns in college, they were my idols.” I took a big gulp of my sweet drink, welcoming the relaxing burn down my throat. “They never had their shit together but looked like they had fun anyway. That’s going to be my new life when I get back to Brooklyn. I may be a mess, but I’ll figure out how to enjoy my life.”
“Oh, I’d say you’re enjoying your life just fine, right now.” Megan raised her glass in my direction.
“I meant in the long term. This…” I trailed off, my eyes darting around the room in search of Joe. “This is temporary.”
“How do you know that? I saw that kiss on the porch the other day, and nothing about it looked temporary.” Claire drew back in her chair and crossed her arms.
“Great chemistry doesn’t mean anything permanent.” I shrugged and drained my glass. I wasn’t calm, only flushed and hot. Remembering the sangria/ice cream incident, I resolved to pace myself. Dousing my feelings with alcohol wouldn’t provide any true relief.
After chatting at the table for almost an hour and three rounds of drinks, although the last one was water for me, I surveyed the growing crowd around us and still found no sign of Joe.
“Why don’t you ask someone to find him for you?” Claire asked as she played with the stem of her cocktail glass.
“He’s probably busy; he knows we’re here.” I picked up my phone, glancing at the still blank screen. I could have asked the bartender to find him for me when we’d arrived, but the Eeyore cloud that settled over my head since Claire had uttered the word “boyfriend” had me playing distant and childish tonight.
“Do you like him? Not just his dick, buthim?” Megan lifted an eyebrow and tapped her finger against the table.
“Well, we don’t know how much they’ve been actually talking all this time.” Claire nudged Megan.
“We’ve talked a lot more than you think.” I narrowed my eyes. “Awesome conversations about everything. He’s smart and funny and…yes, I do like him. There’s a lot to like.” I averted my gaze. “He’s amazing, and not just because he’s gorgeous and sexy, but he’s a good guy. He has this caretaker thing about him that’s so damn sweet. He’s a great businessman at only thirty.” I played with the tiny napkin under my empty glass.
“Do you want to tell us how this is only temporary again?” Claire glanced at Megan and jerked her head in my direction.
After glowering at them both, I continued. “It’s temporary because I can’t see how it could be anything else but. I’d love to keep seeing him, but I’m not sure how it would work, or if he’d even be up for figuring it out. So yes, even though it’s pretty fucking spectacular, I don’t only like Joe’s dick.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
My body went rigid at the recognition of the deep voice behind me.
“You guys couldn’t give me a signal or something?” I glared at my traitorous friends, collapsing in giggles.
I swiveled my head toward where Joe stood. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Enough to make my head swell a little bit.” A smirk tickled the side of his mouth as he reached into his pocket. “I left my phone in the office and just noticed your text.” He nodded hellos at Megan and Claire before holding out his hand to me. “Mind if I steal her for a bit?”
“Oh, not at all.” Claire waved a hand and shooed us away.
“Thank you,” he replied before pulling me past the bar and down a long hallway in the back. Before I could say anything, he pinned me against the wall and covered my mouth with his. I stiffened at first but, as usual, melted into his arms.
“The truth,” he whispered, his lips still close enough to brush against mine. “You’ve been here for an hour and didn’t try to find me. Why?”
I turned away from his scrutinizing stare. “I like you too much, Joe. And after this week…” I shrugged, not wanting to acknowledge what we both knew. “I guess I’m preparing myself a little.”
He took my face into his hands, his hold tight as his gazed locked with mine. “What if I don’t want you to prepare yourself? What if you stay with me for a couple of days after your friends leave? Didn’t you say your boss told you to take more time off since you have so much saved?”
My jaw went slack as my words escaped me. “I can’t just do that—”
