The Second Friday
Iadded the new band to my streaming playlist before they finished their last set. When I signed my receipt, it was much lighter than it should have been, so I increased the tip to compensate.
The bar had emptied, and I realized it was closing time.
Jack nodded toward Sean, who came up behind me. “I’ll walk you out,” he said.
I scrambled up from the barstool. “Oh, sorry. I stayed too long. Don’t worry, I can—”
“Just let him walk you out,” Jack said from behind me.
I looked over my shoulder to find him with his arms crossed. “Bossy,” I muttered before thinking better of it.
He grinned, waving me away.
Sean looked around the parking lot as he walked beside me toward my car. I’d had to park closer to the back since I’d gottenthere later. How dark and empty the parking lot looked made me glad Sean was with me.
At his continued vigilance, I glanced around. “Is it really that unsafe?”
“Women always have to be more careful,” Sean said. “I’m happy to do this.”
I clicked to unlock my door. “Thank you. I really do appreciate it.”
“Anytime, honey. You have fun tonight?”
I smiled, still full of music. “I did.”
He nodded. “Good. And about the tongue thing.”
My whole body flushed. “You heard that?”
He grinned. “I pay attention.” He turned, stepping closer. “Anytime you want to prove you can kiss just fine, I’m available.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “I’ve always thought you looked really fucking kissable.”
My thoughts emptied as I stared up at him. “You want to kiss me?”
“I’m dying to,” he said softly. “Jack will probably get mad about it, but you should know you’re wanted. A lot.”
I licked my lips, and he followed the motion with his eyes, sending a tingling inside me. “Why would Jack be mad?”
He laughed, breaking the tension. “You really are a sweet thing. I’m okay if you want to think about it. Maybe you can think about me all week, yeah?”
My hands raised to my warm cheeks, the keys I still clutched jingling. “I’m definitely going to think about it.”
“Good.” He opened the car door for me.
No one had ever opened my door before. It felt a little awkward sliding in with him there, but a warmth also settled in my stomach. He was taking care of me, and I liked it.
“I’ll see you next Friday?” Sean asked.
I nodded, making sure my feet were tucked in so he could shut the door. He backed up a step, and I couldn’t help staring at him. Sean didn’t wave me on; he just stood there and let me look, like he knew I was going to want to.
Sean was a bigger man than I’d ever been with. My first boyfriends were lanky musicians with a lot of hair. Neil was on the shorter side and pretty skinny as well. Sean wasn’t fat or anything, but his chest was broad and his arms bulged with muscle. He looked strong enough to win in a fight. His long beard would be new for me, too. I wondered if it would feel different kissing someone with a beard. Neil sometimes had bristles between shaves, and they could scratch my skin, which I didn’t usually like.
When I found myself wondering what it would feel like to run my hands over Sean’s bald head, I decided it was time to go. Sean lifted a hand as I pulled out of the space.
Even though it was so late, I was the first to get home. The house felt quiet and empty—and extremely dark. After Sean’s reminder about safety, I wished Neil had turned on a light before he left. I quickly flipped them on, and after walking through all the rooms, I felt better after.
I took a shower and got ready for bed, thinking about Sean’s offer more than I probably should have. All he’d mentioned was a kiss, but my mind was racing beyond that. Could I have sex with Sean? As I pictured a scenario like that, I felt a twinge of interest.
