“Take care of it yourself,” I muttered, stomping toward the bedroom.
“Wait, are you wearing your shoes in the house?”
I slammed the bedroom door shut behind me.
Chapter 5
The Second Friday
Idrove separately from Neil again but timed it a little later. The parking lot wasn’t as empty closer to ten. When I approached the entrance, there was a beautiful blonde woman laughing with Sean. She wore tight, ripped jeans and a top with a scooped neck. Her earrings swung when she brushed her hair over her shoulder, and I admired them before she disappeared inside.
Sean’s smile widened as I stepped closer to him. “Hey, honey. Glad to see you again.”
“Me too,” I admitted with a smile, feeling the urge to hug him like a friend, but I resisted.
“Your barstool’s free.” Sean waved me inside.
He was right, but the blonde I’d been admiring was sitting in the first seat on the adjacent side, where we would almost belooking at each other. I slid onto the stool anyway, smiling at her when she glanced my way.
“Hi. I like your earrings,” I blurted out. They really were nice—multiple dancing silver strands with stars dangling at the ends.
“Thanks! That’s such a pretty color.” She waved toward my shirt.
“Oh, thank you. It’s new.” I cringed at admitting that and tugged it down self-consciously, but her compliment soothed me. I’d always thought maroon made my eyes and hair look darker. I hadn’t been able to go low-cut, but it was more formfitting than I was used to, making me more aware of my breasts.
“Hey, Hailey,” Jack said. He was smiling at me, and the rest of my tension dissipated seeing him appear happy to see me. “Do you want the same as last time, or should I experiment?”
The idea of trying something new usually made me nervous, but I found his offer exciting instead. “Something new, maybe? Oh, but still a mocktail.”
“Of course,” Jack said. His gaze switched to the blonde. “What can I get you?”
“Vodka cranberry, please,” she ordered.
“Any particular vodka?” he asked, nodding as she named one. He turned to reach for one of the bottles behind him.
The woman smiled at me. “First name basis with the bartender? You must come here often.”
I blinked at her, caught off guard. “No, not really. This is only my second time here.” I looked up at the fairy lights,my shoulders loosening even more. “I’m still new to the whole bar scene, but I really liked it here last week.”
The blonde lifted an eyebrow. “Hmm. And he remembered your name?”
Jack turned back with the vodka, reaching for a small metal hourglass-shaped utensil. “Hailey was very memorable.” He winked at me, and my cheeks heated.
I was only memorable because of the drama, but I didn’t want to tell the woman that.
When he placed her drink in front of her, she tilted her head, her smile becoming wider. “Well, my name’s Natasha, if you want to remember it, too.”
He laughed, smiling back at her before turning to set up her bar tab.
They were flirting, I realized, envious. I wondered if I could smile like she had. I’d have to practice in the mirror later.
When he was returning her card, I realized I still hadn’t gotten mine out. “Oh, shoot, I should have—” I reached in my purse, feeling flustered.
“Your money’s no good here, Hailey,” Jack said.
My eyes widened. “No, that’s too much. You wouldn’t even let me tip you last time, and I didn’t have any cash, and—”
He put a hand on the bar, leaning closer. “It’s just juice, and besides, you’re letting me experiment with new mixes. Accept the gift.” He waited for me to nod before moving down the bar to grab a few things.
