Rachel gave a short wave. “Nice meeting you, Roxanne.”
“You too. Have a nice night.” Rachel pushed away from Jonah and turned her back. Roxanne let her gaze travel up his arms to his face. Jonah was staring at her with a look she couldn’t figure out.
She forced a smile. “Enjoy your dinner.”
His chin jerked, but he said nothing. She turned away from him, feeling the heat burn against her cheeks.
Roxanne spent the next five minutes sipping her drink, checking her phone and resisting the urge to spy on Jonah and Rachel. She should’ve tried harder. When she casually glanced around the dining area, they weren’t hard to find. As fate would have it,being the cruel bitch that she is, they were seated directly behind her. It would’ve been perfect had there not been a mirror behind the bar giving her a perfect view of their table. They sat next to each other as opposed to across. The minor detail cinched it for her—this was an intimate date and, more so, it wasn’t a first. They knew each other. Rachel was comfortable enough to touch him. Roxanne craned her neck to watch Rachel laugh and Jonah smile at something she said.
Fuck my life.
She lifted her hand, waving to Jase and then pointing to her empty glass. “Another one.”
This would probably end badly, but if she was forced to sit in a bar alone, she was drinking. She grabbed her phone and texted Emory.
Roxanne: Where are you?
She waited, refusing to look in the mirrored backdrop.
Emory: I’m soooo sorry. Remember how much you love me and have another drink. I’ll pay the tab, promise.
Roxanne shook her head, in dire need of a distraction. She made her way to the restrooms. It was the perfect excuse to kill time. The line was longer than she expected and served its purpose. Fifteen minutes later, she was walking back to the bar. Roxanne was careful to keep her eyes straightforward.Do not look at them.
She hopped up on her stool, and Jase placed her drink down. “Was getting worried about you?”
Roxanne snorted. “Afraid I took off without paying and stiffed you on your tip? Don’t worry, I’m here until my best friend decides to show up. She’s picking up this tab.”
“Well damn, you’re a popular girl tonight! Everyone wants to buy you drinks.” He pressed his palms on the counter, leaning against the bar.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your friend with the tats.”
What?Roxanne blinked and sat up, almost falling off her stool. What was he talking about? Before she could ask, Jase gestured toward the dining area.
“Your friend with the beer from earlier? He told his waitress to add your drinks to his bill.”
She spun around on her stool, immediately regretting it. Rachel was grasping Jonah’s arm and whispering something in his ear. They looked perfect together. Her beauty and his rugged good looks. They just worked.Ugh, why do I even care?She barely knew Jonah aside from a few conversations and hisfriendship with her brothers. It was ridiculous to feel any type of jealousy. But she did.
Roxanne slowly turned toward the bar and grabbed her bag. This night was officially over. While it was a gracious gesture on Jonah’s end, it was humiliating on hers. Did he feel sorry for her?I mean, I am sitting at a bar alone after flirting with him while his date was in the bathroom.It screamed desperation.I didn’t know he was on a date!
“Want to do a shot?” Jase asked. “I’ll treat you to one on the house, save the tat guy six bucks.”
She needed to get out of there. Roxanne shook her head and grabbed her phone. Her fingers frantically tapped her screen.
Roxanne: Now or never, Em.
She dropped the phone on the bar, scanning the mirrored wall of liquor while her foot shook uncontrollably. As luck would have it, her gaze caught Jonah at his table. This was torture, but she didn’t look away. Jonah reached for his beer, drawing her gaze to his arm. The sleeve tattoo was colorful, but she was too far away to make out the design. She should’ve paid more attention when he was next to her. She squinted, noticing lots of black and some blue, then a large green insignia.
His arm hadn’t moved, which seemed odd because he was reaching for his beer. She glanced up and sucked in a breath when she noticed his eyes locked on her.
Shit!
Roxanne jerked her gaze when her phone pinged. She grabbed it, reading the message.
Emory: I know, I’m sorry. Give me another 20 minutes. 30 tops.
No way.She scoffed, and her fingers flew over the screen.
