By the time Jack had gotten me safely home to my apartment, I was so turned on I’d tried to pin him to the couch, though that was the last thing I remembered. I’d fallen asleep before I’dmanaged too much, but the hickeys decorating his neck when he’d picked me up for more record shopping the Sunday after had made me blush and apologize. Jack had just grinned at me and said he was looking forward to me trying it again in the future, but sober next time.
The Friday after that, I’d begged off alcohol. I’d shown up later than usual that day, almost not going. I’d started therapy and still had a hangover from my scheduled Thursday session. Sean sat with me, letting me lean against his chest while we listened to the indie band Jack had lined up. The singer’s voice had been a soothing croon that wove inside me. I added her to my streaming playlist after, I liked her so much.
Instead of going out shopping, Jack had come over on Sunday with his laptop to show me all the sites he’d found and the records he’d been bidding on. I’d felt myself settle while I’d pressed against his side, my head on his shoulder as he searched up even more vinyl.
We invited Sean and Derrick over for dinner and a movie—another documentary, this time about boy bands from the nineties. Even though she’d been more into seventies and eighties heartthrobs, Mrs. Miller would have found it interesting.
I hadn’t hung out with Derrick before, but he was a sweetheart, though a little on the serious side. He geeked out with Jack over documentaries while we ate. Derrick was even more of a caregiver than Jack and Sean, and he was the one jumping up to refill drinks or grab more napkins.
It was interesting to watch Sean being taken care of for a change. I studied them while leaning against Jack, watching their heads brush as they whispered to each other. They didn’t kiss or anything, but there was a casual intimacy between them that kept drawing my gaze back. It reminded me of watching the Millers together, though their relationship had included more teasing and laughter.
“Hey, honey,” Sean said, bringing my thoughts back to where I was as he folded me in a hug outside the bar. “Trying to get Jack to swallow his tongue tonight?”
I blushed as I pulled away. When I’d bought the dress with one of my friends a month or more ago, I’d been sure I wouldn’t wear it, even though I’d agreed with her that it looked amazing on me. The soft brown color made my skin glow, and the built-in bra made finding one that fit the low cut unnecessary. Lace edged the slopes of my breasts, drawing the eye. The way the skirt flirted around my thighs made me feel sexy.
“What if I am?” I asked quietly, meeting Sean’s eyes.
He grinned at me. “I’d say it’s about damn time. Put that guy out of his misery. He’s been pining hard for a while.”
I searched his face. “So you’re okay? We’ll be okay?”
His eyes softened. “I’ve seen the way you look at Jack. I had a feeling this would be what you’d pick. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” His forehead lowered until it touched mine. “I love you, Hailey. All I want is for you to live the life that brings out that giddiness I’ve seen in you. It’d be a joy to see it much more often.”
Nerves swirled in my stomach, but they weren’t the anxious kind. There was an excitement under my skin, almost an anticipation. “I really like Jack.”
Sean laughed. “I know you do. This is good. I was worried you’d deny it for much longer.”
I’d tried to tell my therapist I was too broken to date Jack. That I needed time to heal. This week’s session had worked through why I thought that. I was just happy the hangover aspect of therapy hadn’t lasted as long this week.
With my parents and Neil, I had plenty of baggage. But I wasn’t broken. I had a lot to offer. One reason Neil hung on so long was because of all I brought to the relationship. I wanted to see what a relationship would be like if the care I gave was reciprocated.
“Just know, I won’t make it easy on him,” Sean warned. He lifted his head, holding my arms out to my sides to study me. “Especially with you looking like this. Expect to be flirted with.”
Warmth danced across my skin. “If I said I liked that, would that make me a tease?”
“You want to tease me, honey?” He gave me a little twirl, my skirt swirling around my legs. “Then I might ask you to dance.” He leaned closer to my ear. “You’re sin when you dance, and you aren’t exclusive with Jack quite yet, are you?”
I laughed up at him, feeling even sexier than I had when putting on the dress.
“That’s good. Just like that,” Sean murmured, tugging me toward the door.
I was still grinning as Jack’s gaze found me. He froze, his eyes getting that intent look that made me want to squirm. My scalp tingled as my mouth went dry. There was a sway to my hips when I crossed to my usual barstool.
“Hey, Jack,” I said, folding my arms on the bar and leaning toward him.
He swallowed as his eyes dipped to my breasts, then dragged back up to my face. “Hailey. You look…”
“Gorgeous, right?” Sean said, taking the barstool next to me. “I bet she gets hit on by half the bar tonight.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to meet anyone new.” My eyes lowered and then lifted back up to meet Jack’s. “I know just what I’m here for.”
His hands gripped the edge of the bar as his breath shuddered out.
Feeling embarrassed that I may have been too obvious, I let out a forced laugh. “Can you make me something new tonight? No alcohol. I’d like you to surprise me.”
Jack leaned forward. “Yeah?” he asked, his voice low. “I think you’re the one surprising me.”
“In a good way?” I asked.
