I bit my lip.
Neil laughed again, staring at Jack. “Yeah, well—”
“Let’s stop talking about this,” Jack cut him off. His gaze flicked to my face as he straightened.
My hands had slipped to my lap, and they ached from how hard I clutched them together. “It’s okay,” I mumbled, but it really wasn’t.
“Hey, can I get my check?” Natasha asked, pulling the attention to her.
Jack nodded. My stomach sank a little more when he moved away.
I stared down at the cherries. Maybe I should again look into getting my tongue-tie fixed. I read online that it was usually a simple procedure, but the doctor had told me to talk to my dentist, and the dentist had referred me to an oral surgeon. It had just seemed complicated for something that didn’t bother me much.
“We’re going to go now,” Neil said, suddenly standing at my side.
I blinked at him. “What, already? You’re not going to listen to the band any?”
Neil rolled his eyes. “Really, Hailey? You think I’d be more interested in that than in…” He glanced toward Natasha, who was signing her check. Her hair had swung forward, brushing her cleavage.
She really was beautiful. I had somehow picked out the perfect woman for him. I should probably feel prouder about that.
I realized he hadn’t even tried to pick out anyone for me yet. “You can’t leave!” I said in a panic.
Neil’s jaw tightened.
“No, I mean, you can, but you’re supposed to pick someone for me.”
Neil’s eyes widened, and his hand rubbed at the back of his neck. “Right.” He started scanning the bar.
My stomach sank, and a chill crept up my neck.
“Him,” Neil said, nodding toward the far side of the bar. The man sitting there was older than us, probably in his forties, his dark hair sprinkled with silver. He had a strong, square jaw, close-set eyes, and a pert nose that pointed up. He wasn’t looking our way, at least, so he didn’t catch me staring at him.
“Oh, well—”
“Are we ready?” Natasha asked, pressing close to Neil’s side.
“Yes,” Neil said, eager to go with her.
Natasha was studying my face, and she leaned closer. “You’re sure you’re okay with this?”
I swallowed. “Yes.” The word came out firmer than I was expecting.
“Good luck with the bartender,” she murmured before straightening.
The bartender? She must mean Jack. I opened my mouth to tell her it wasn’t like that, but she was already following Neil to the door. I stared after them, and Sean looked back at me, his eyebrows drawn together. I forced a smile, shifting my glass to my original seat and switching barstools. My spine felt less tight there, and I could see the stage better.
“You really okay with that?” Jack asked, frowning toward the door.
“Yeah, it was the plan for tonight. To pick out people for each other.”
“Hailey, you—” He pressed his lips together, shaking his head andlooking away.
“I did pretty good, didn’t I? Natasha seemed nice, and she’s gorgeous.”
Jack sighed. “And who did he pick out for you?”
I flushed, glancing toward the older dark-haired man, but he looked back in my direction this time and our eyes met. My chin dipped to the bar.
