“Shut the front door,” Lila rushed out, her hazel eyes rimmed with thick mascara popping out. “You left that part out.”
I blushed. “I’m scared out of my mind.”
Evelyn reached over the table and placed her dainty hand on mine. “It’s normal to be scared. You’ve only been with one man. But you have to let go of that douchebag you were married to and allow yourself to feel again.”
I was feeling again. Maybe too much, too soon.
Jace was right. We had a connection. One that was so strong that I was sure it would ignite into an inferno if we even kissed. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if we had sex. I would probably fall hard and fast. Maybe I already was. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I kept replaying what he’d said to me.
“You also have needs, Monroe. Tell me you’re not wet under that dress. Tell me you don’t want my tongue teasing you, my body pressed against you, or dare I say, me inside you.”
OMG! My lady parts were so ready for him.
I took a gulp of my drink, my body heating, my mouth dry. “What if I get hurt again? I wouldn’t be able to handle that.”
Lila leaned in. “That’s a possibility, but you can’t let that stop you. Take a chance. See where it goes. Evelyn and I are here to cheer you on.”
“Yeah,” Evelyn said. “We’ll kick his ass if he hurts you.”
“I just love you two.”
I hated to think that I could be alone for the rest of my life if I didn’t take a chance. If I didn’t take my life back.
Though I wouldn’t even begin to know what to do with a man like Jace.It’s like riding a bike, girl.You never really forget.Except Jace seemed like the type of man who knew his way around a bedroom, and I was definitely rusty.
“Screw it.” I raised my glass. “Here’s to a new chapter. I’m ready.” Or I hoped I was ready and didn’t crash and fall.
We clinked glasses, and I downed the rest of my drink.
Maybe it was the vodka. Maybe it was the week from hell. But for the first time in two years, I didn’t want to think. I just wanted to feel anything but despair, anger, and hatred.
The two airmen finally finished the song. A weak round of applause boomed.
Lila and Evelyn exchanged an odd look.
“What are you two up to?” I asked as the din of voices lowered. “You did not call Jace, did you?”
Lila laughed. “No, but that would’ve been brilliant.”
The emcee’s voice filtered through the speakers. “And up next, we have Monroe singing ‘Colder Weather.’”
My jaw hit the scratched wooden table.
“When we walked in, we put your name on the list to sing,” Evelyn announced too darn proudly. “You haven’t sung since?—”
“She caught Ryan with his tongue down a woman’s throat at Eagle’s Trail,” Lila finished for her. “The same lady he’s marrying, if I’m not mistaken.”
That was one of the reasons I refused to hike there anymore and why Lila and I had gone to Devil’s Hollow instead the other day.
Evelyn fake pouted. “You have a beautiful voice. Please.”
My mom had been in school and church choirs, and she would always sing while cleaning the house or at night when Iforced her to play the piano and sing. Maybe tonight was the perfect time to give my past the proverbial finger.
“That song complements your voice,” Lila chimed in. “This place needs to hear something awesome after those two guys massacred ‘Sweet Caroline.’ And what better time to open that new chapter with a song.”
I puffed out my cheeks. “Fine. I’m only doing this because I hate to see Evelyn’s pouty face.”
“Liar,” Lila mumbled. “You love it up there.”
