The music changes, and Pharrell and Jay-Z’s “Frontin’” remix fills the room as we follow Rex. He lifts the side counter of the bar and ushers us behind it with him. He leaves his hand a little too long on Gwen’s back, and she shoots him an evil glare, which makes him laugh.
Pushing his way into the mix, the workers behind the bar clear for him. The power of being an owner is unmistakable as he grabs two tall glasses and turns back to face us.
“What’s your pleasure?” he asks us both, but only locks eyes with Gwen.
“Not that I will ever let you be the cause of my pleasure, but make mine an old-fashioned,” she says.
I laugh at the way Gwen acts like a child, knowing full well that Rex is eating it up like candy. He loves this type of behavior in a sick, twisted way. Smiling, he glances my way.
Knowing I better stick to what I was drinking before we left, I say, “Red wine, thanks.”
He mixes Gwen’s drink, making it a little stronger than he should, then pours me a more than decent size glass of Cabernet. Glancing up, he starts flirting with a brunette across the bar. Gwen shifts on her feet next to me, clearly annoyed.
“Are you finished yet,” she snaps at him.
Pausing a moment, he slowly picks up the drinks and turns towards us. Gwen snatches hers and turns to walk away.
“Didn’t know you preferred it fast and quick, sweetheart. I’ll remember that for next time,” he taunts.
“Behave,” I laugh as I hug him, grab my drink, and follow after her.
As I take a sip, the warmness of the alcohol mixes with the bass coming from the music. Tension leaves my shoulders as we make our way to a corner not far from the bar. Gwen locks eyes with a stranger and I watch as she flashes him her “I’m available if you want me” smile. Rolling my eyes, my phone vibrates in my clutch. I pull it out to see I have a new text from Noah.
I wasn’t kidding when I said you know how to drive a man crazy, but we never did get to discuss why I stopped by in the first place. Have dinner with me Friday?
Doing my best juggling act, I try and balance my drink in my arm so I can type a reply.
Are you sure dinner with me is the answer to your madness?
I smile when I notice he reads it right away and can see that he is typing a response. Taking another sip of my drink, I look up as Gwen’s stranger makes his way over to us. I smile at him as he starts to talk to her, and focus my attention back on my phone.
Darlin’, at this point I don’t care if they lock me away for eternity, as long as I get my next fix of you before they throw away the key.
I giggle a little too loud, which gets Gwen’s attention. She rolls her eyes and goes back to her conversation. Switching gears, butterflies rise in my belly as I type my response.
Friday sounds perfect. I get off work at 5.
I’ll pick you up at 6. Dress casual.
Can’t wait.
Likewise. See you then, beautiful.
Putting away my phone, Gwen suddenly takes a few steps back from the guy she had been chatting up. She’s clearly annoyed. Quick to notice when to step in, I grab her hand and say, “I love this song. Let’s dance. Sorry, buddy,” I yell as I pull her onto the dance floor. We make sure to push our way further into the middle and away from the guy who’s quickly approaching creeper status.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Turning around to face her, I smile. We finish off our drinks so as not to spill them, and hold the empty glasses while we laugh and dance for a few songs. Maybe I will get out of here as planned after another drink or two, but for now, it’s nice to let the world go and dance with my best friend—a girl that knows me better than any sister ever could.
Chapter Fourteen
Noah
Getting ready to pick up Eva, I hadn’t thought I would be as nervous as I am. Grabbing the items I planned to take with me, I take one last look at myself in the mirror.
“Get a grip, Stewart,” I say out loud. “It’s just a date.”
Then why does my heart tell me it’s so much more.
