Olivia
She did! She flirted her butt off for that
Callie
I think you mean I flirted my sweet bottom off for it
Olivia
Ew NO!
LOL
Jax is waiting for me when I step out of my truck. He rushes up, opening me door. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
My stomach is doing a series of twirls, but it’s nothing compared to the way my heart flutters at the thought of no longer needing to hide our relationship.
“I’m ready. Are you?”
“I’msoready. I’ve been waiting for this moment for years.” The lopsided grin that appears on his face makes me melt.
He laces his fingers in mine before pressing the doors of the Long Neck open. The bouncer eyes our clasped hands but doesn’t say anything as he gives us the nod to go in.
The dance floor is covered from wall to wall with gold and white decorations: balloons, tassels, and streamers. Lights are strung overhead and fill empty champagne bottles on the center of the picnic tables. There’s even a new golden disco ball overhead.
“Wow, did y’all buy out the Dollar Store for this function?”
Jax adjusts his ball cap. “It’s a lot, huh? Decorations weren’t my responsibility. I’ve never been good at that kind of thing, but I’ve been trying to decrease my involvement in the bar anyway.” He leads the way toward our friends. “Ithink Tony knew all along. He wasn’t even the least bit surprised when I told him I was putting in my two weeks.”
“But he was okay with it?”
“He was more than okay with it.” He presses a kiss to my cheek, and I try to ignore the murmurs that immediately ensue in response to the action. “I even offered to help out any time he needs an extra person for the next few months.”
“Good. I don’t want him to think I’m stealing you.”
“He’ll be fine. Besides, I kind of want him to think you’re stealing me.” He wraps an arm around me, pulling me close and planting a kiss behind my ear just as Callie and Olivia come up to us.
“Ew, PDA!” Callie announces, pointing at us.
“Oh stop.” I lower her arm.
“We have a table over there. Rhett is holding down the fort. Come join us.”
We make it two whole steps from where we were when a new song comes on. Callie grabs Olivia and I by the hand, dragging us out onto the dance floor. “This is my request. We have to dance!”
I glance back at Jax as we are whisked away. He’s laughing. “I’ll help Rhett hold down the fort. You three have fun.”
The smile on his face, paired with his assurance that he wants me to have a good time, makes me feel so loved, like everything is right in this world. We are finally free to just be.
Once we’re out on the dance floor, I register the song. It’s “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under.”
Callie and I share a look and burst into laughter before matching the footwork of the crowd.
“What are you two laughing at? Is it my dancing?” Olivia doesn’t look up as she tries to follow along to ourmovements without bumping into us. “I’ve been practicing, but I still suck.”
“No, it’s not your dancing. Callie blasted this song for Austin when we tried to take his dog.”
Olivia frowns. “I still can’t believe you two got into trouble without meagain.”
