“It is, compared to the Upper West Side, I suppose. It’s a lot more cost-effective to be back. I was lucky to find an apartmentat a decent price since the coziness can get pricey, depending on where you look.”
“I could see you having a nice small-town romance here. Maybe that could be next up. I can use you as inspiration.”
“That sounds like a boring book,” I said with a chuckle. “Don’t do that.”
“I better get my train.” She flicked her wrist up to glance at her watch. “You’re sure I can’t treat you?”
“Nope. Least I could do for you making the trip,” I said, grabbing the check when she reached for it. “Plus, I write it off anyway.” I winked as I dug out my credit card.
She stood and pulled me in for a hug. “Fine. I’ll treat you if this one does make theNew York Times.”
“You meanwhen,” I said. “Safe trip back.”
“You too, even though you’re close.” She pulled on her jacket and motioned to the bar. “And go have some fun.”
“Sure,” I said, waving as she made her way out of the entrance. I handed the waitress my card and scanned the dining area. The restaurant was an old library, and the walls were decorated with replicas of classic titles. I’d chosen it more for proximity, but the food and drinks were good, and it was fun to pretend to eat in a library.
I’d set up my life in such a way that I was the one to make all my own choices. While I had no regrets, I wished I had a juicy story that Mary could pillage for her next best seller.
I signed my receipt and pulled on my jacket, taking another glance at the bar, and I stilled when I spotted someone familiar. I could only see him from the back and couldn’t make out his face. His shoulders worked under his dress shirt as he hunched over whatever he was drinking.
But I would know Jesse anywhere.
No matter how long or short his hair was, it always curled at the back of his neck, right below his ears. It had been adorablewhen we were younger, and it was downright sexy now, no matter how much I didn’t want to notice.
I darted across the room when Jesse wobbled on the stool as if he was about to fall off. As I approached, I spotted two empty stools on either side of him. Why was Jesse drinking alone? I searched for Caden in the crowd, hoping he was here with Jesse and maybe had just gone to the restroom, but I saw no drinks on the bar other than the one clutched in Jesse’s hand.
We’d snuck a beer or two in high school, but I’d never seen him drunk. I didn’t know what his drinking habits had been once he was of legal age, but getting this drunk alone didn’t seem like him. My blood ran cold at why he’d be here like this.
I grabbed his arm as he veered to one side, muttering a curse as I lifted him upright. His confused gaze slid to mine as he searched my face.
“Jesse? What’s going on?”
His hooded eyes widened in recognition, a sleepy smile drifting across his mouth.
“Hey, Legs,” he said, slurring his words with a husky rasp. “To what do I owe the pleasure? Fuck, you look good.” He curled his arm around my waist and yanked me closer.
I winced at the potent stench of whiskey on his breath before he buried his face into the crook of my neck.
“Are you here alone?” I spied a suit jacket crumpled on the floor in front of him and leaned over to grab it. “Is this yours?”
His only response was a groan as he nuzzled my neck.
“Jesse!” I pushed his shoulders back to search his face. His loosened tie dangled over his shirt, open to the second button with one flap of the collar up, I supposed from the way he was leaning against the counter.
“I parked across the street this morning to take the train into the city for a work thing.” He swung his arm behind him and pointed toward the parking lot with his thumb. “I stoppedhere for a drink, which led to another and to another.” His head bobbled, his eyes almost shut other than the tiny slit I noticed in one eyelid. “After the second drink, I figured I’d call Caden later to get me, so I just kept drinking.”
“Did you call him yet?”
“I texted him,” he said, bending to glance at his phone screen and almost knocking his forehead against it before I caught him in time to pull him back. “At least, I think I did. I’ll text a cab or Uber or something later.”
“No, you won’t. I’ll take you home.”
“What for? I have no one to go home to. I’m a free bachelor tonight,” he said, this time the words coming out more garbled than slurred.
“Where’s Maddie?”
“I pulled her out of school for a couple of days so my parents could take her to that indoor water park out east to distract her from tomorrow. But I couldn’t forget tomorrow. I tried, though.” He picked up his glass and slammed it down with a hysterical chuckle.
