I ran to the car amid a soft flurry of snow and booted up my GPS. Damn, my hair was still kinda damp. Soon, it’d be frozen stiff. Hopefully, it would thaw from the heated air in the car. The venue wasn’t exactly high-brow, anyways. Neon bar signs glowed through the brewing storm, beckoning customers inside for beer, brats, and billiards. Two flashing music notes blinked next to an all-caps purple font announcing ‘Live Music.’ What were the odds this bar had a coat check? I’d hate to carry mine around all night or worry about a purse, so I peeled off my jacket, stuck my credit card and ID into the back of my phone case, slung my most important keys through my necklace, and adjusted the rearview mirror for one last lipstick check.
My eyeliner was slightly smudged, but overall I looked good. Definitely hot, right? My sequined romper plunged into my cleavage and showed off my back, but the flared layers near the shorts prevented any booty flashing. Yes. This was good. Probably too good for this bar, but good nonetheless.
As soon as I stepped out of the car, cold air slapped my skin. I cursed and power-walked to the entrance, ignoring the sting of snow against my mostly-exposed feet. I’d have to ask Theo to pull his car up at the end of the night so I didn’t lose a toe. Ankle-strapped pumps were hot as hell, but not great for cross-country skiing.
A guy in a black hoodie shoveled the sidewalk, a phone perched between his shoulder and cheek. His voice boomed over harsh scrapes. “No, I’m not going to kiss anybody. Because I’m working. No. No, not even if they ask me. You can’t visit me, you have to go to sleep. Happy New Year. Now, go…to…sleep. I love you too, weirdos. Don’t bother me until next year.”
Ha, if only I could’ve said that last part to Andre as he was leaving. I huddled into myself and hurried past the shovel guy.
More buff guys in black hoodies blocked the entrance, the bar name stamped across the front and back of their jackets. Shivering, I tried to slip past them, but they closed into an impenetrable wall, trapping in all the heat. I flashed them a stiff smile. Weren’t hot girls welcome in most bars?
“Hi. Excuse me, my boyfriend’s in there,” I said.
The guy who’d been on the phone sniffed and walked past me to prop the shovel against the wall. “We’re pretty much at capacity, so if you’re not on the list, you’re not getting in.”
“I’m on the list,” I said. Theo better have put me on there. Otherwise, I’d freeze to death.
The bouncer yanked a clipboard out of the back of his jeans. “Okay. Name and ID?” As he turned to me, I sucked in a cold, sharp breath. That boxy mug of his looked stronger in the moonlight.
Zack.
My heart whipped against my ribcage with the same sting of a dodgeball in gym class. “Are you serious?” I asked. My extremities tingled in protest.
He clicked a pen and narrowed his gaze at me. “Yes.”
I let out a huff of disbelief, my breath crystalizing on its way to him. He tugged his reddened ear, his gaze briefly dropping before averting from me entirely.
All those years in high school… Wejustmet again this week. He still didn’t remember me?
6
Bounce
I fished my ID out of the back of my phone case and thrust it at him. “Nicole Simon,” I grit out through chattering teeth.
“Simon, Nicole…” He dragged his pen down the list.
“Please,” I whispered to the universe, rubbing my arms and shuddering as I lifted my head in silent prayer.
Don’t let me get stuck defending my right to be here to Zack, that big idiot.
And please don’t let me freeze to death just because I have a cute outfit and a stupid boyfriend.
Our breathing swirled out in brooding clouds as the seconds ticked by. He swallowed hard and stepped aside, using his thick arm to part the sea of buff men. “Yep. She’s there. Let her in.”
My shoulders dropped. That was it? I was really on the list? “Oh, thanks,” I said.
The yellow lights welcomed me inside. Zack’s silhouette combined with the revels within almost reminded me of a high school party. One of the 'cool' kids finally invited me in. Only, he didn’t. Theo put me on the list. Zack just had to read it.
I eased my way past the bouncers, but the melted snow and spilled drinks combined to slush beneath my feet and sent me sliding. I shrieked and clutched the nearest person. A pair of huge, sturdy hands steadied my waist. The bouncer’s hoodie was slightly frosty from the snow, but he radiated heat through the thick material. My heart throbbed when he eased me upright, all slow and sweet as if we’d been dancing, not falling. Of course my hero would be Zack.
His serious eyes, strong arms, and cheap, at-home haircut had me transfixed. How many times had I tried to convince myself he wasn’t worth a second glance? And now I couldn’t stop staring at him.
“Careful. It’s wet,” he said.
