“I’m great with numbers, so you don’t have to explain. Just tell me what they are, babe,” I said.
Larry laughed at my wide grin and shook his head.
“No one is going to see you coming, and I fucking love it. See you tomorrow, gorgeous.”
I registered a serious stink eye from a woman at the bar as Larry headed her way, but I was too focused on the shock over what I’d just done. What I wasdoing.
I strolled back to the table, exhilarated in a way I hadn’t been in a long time. This was all batshit crazy to even consider, but it thrilled me all the same.
“Everything okay?” Peyton asked. “What were you talking to Larry about?”
“Long story, but for now, how about another game of darts?” I sat next to Jude and elbowed his side. “I think I scared Artie off since no one is over there now.”
My smile and my stomach fell when he didn’t react or even acknowledge my presence. He shook his head, and he tipped back the beer bottle in his hand.
“I can’t. It’s late.” He slammed the bottle onto the table and popped off his seat. The almost playful ease I had enjoyed from him only moments before was now gone. I studied his profile, noting the clench of his jaw as tension radiated over his entire body, a huge contrast to just minutes ago. What the hell just happened?
“I better get home. Good night, everyone. Call me if you need me this weekend.” His words came out in a fast mumble as he nodded to Jake and stalked out the door.
Peyton and Jake shared a look before regarding me with wary eyes. One step forward and three steps back as usual with Jude, and I was over the whiplash. The only man who’d managed to get under my skin almost instantly was the one I’d never figure out.
“I’ve only had a couple of drinks. I’ll head home too. I mean, back to your house.”
“Claudia, what’s going on?” Peyton stood. “Is everything okay?”
“I-I…” I stammered as my eyes lingered on Jude’s departure. “Fuck if I know.” I threw my hands up in what felt like final defeat.
“What’s going on with Larry? You guys looked pretty…friendly.” Peyton scrunched her nose.
“Friendly? What? No, I asked Larry how much it would be to buy the bar, and I’m coming back to talk to him about it tomorrow.”
“Buythe bar?” Jake fell back in his seat, his eyes wide and jaw slack.
“That’s what you were talking to Larry about?” Peyton asked.
“Yes. Why? What did you think we were talking about?”
She tilted her head. “It looked like more than talking for a minute,” she said, flicking her eyes to Jude’s empty chair.
Did he leave because he was jealous? Wait, no. He was my fake boyfriend. Sort of. Which sounded more ridiculous every time I repeated it in my head, and I’d obsess over all the ways I hated it later.
“You’re serious?” Jake asked, still gaping at me.
“Looks like it. I mean, I have no idea how much it costs or what the hell to do with it, but…” I trailed off as I surveyed the crowded space, still scared and clueless but shocked at my sudden excitement.
I’d never thought raising the bar in my life would mean buying a bar, but nothing had felt this right in longer than I could remember.
“Yeah, I think I’m serious.”
10
CLAUDIA
“Claudia, what’s wrong?”
“I’m fine, Dad,” I said, cringing when I realized it was seven a.m. My parents were both up early, but a call from me at that hour of the morning would automatically put them on alert. “Sorry for making you panic.”
I smiled at his audible sigh of relief. “Well, that’s good. So, if nothing is wrong, what’s the reason for the call so early, ladybug?”
