“Oh, honey. There’s no way I’ll ever believe it could be bad.”
I shrugged, though it was easier to lift my head.
“But I can respect what you’re saying. You don’t want to muddy the waters here so you can keep coming. And I want you here, so if that’s what you need to decide, I’m good with that.”
“Okay.” I searched his face. Sean really did seem to accept my decision without being hurt.
He grinned again. “Just know, the offer is always open if you change your mind.” He leaned in closer. “And I’d be even happier if you think about it more and enjoy the thoughts.” He winked as he pulled away.
I was suddenly sure he knew I’d touched myself while thinking about him. I had no idea what to do with that.
Sean waved me in. “Go sit on your barstool and let Jack know you’re here.”
Tingles spread along my back as I crossed to what I already thought of as my place at the bar. Jack’s eyes lit up when he saw me. His smile wasn’t quite as large as Sean’s grin, but I really liked his smile.
“Hey, you. Glad you came. I have a new drink idea I want to make for you,” he said, already reaching for a glass.
The idea that he’d been thinking about me during the week set up a glow inside me. I watched his hands while he mixed the drink. He had big hands, with long fingers, and I could easily picture them on a guitar. When I started to picture them on my body instead, I cut off the thought, knowing I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye if it went too far.
“What band will be coming tonight?” I didn’t have to ask since I’d already looked it up and listened to a few songs, but I enjoyed watching him talk about music, so I settled my chin on my hand while he warned me that tonight’s music was different from the last two nights I’d been there.
When he set the drink he’d made in front of me, it was in a taller glass than usual, and it was purple. My eyes widened as I sat straighter, watching the fizz wavering off the top under the matching purple umbrella that speared a slice of lime. “That’s so neat!”
Jack laughed. “Hopefully, you like the taste, too.”
I lifted the tapered glass to my lips, feeling the fizz against them as I took a sip. It wasn’t grape-flavored like I expected, but something sweeter and light, with a hint of lime. “I love it!”
He set his hands on the bar, crinkles forming at his eyes. “Good.” His gaze shifted to the empty seat next to me, and his smile fell a little. “Is he joining you tonight?”
“Um, no,” I admitted. Neil had already made his own plans for the evening, and so had I. “I’m actually meeting someone else here.”
“Yeah?” Jack asked, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. “A date?”
I nodded, flushing. “I thought I’d try the online thing.” The suggestion had come from Natasha. She’d asked Neil for my number. The way he said it made me think she hadn’t asked for his, but I didn’t know for sure. She’d sent me the name of an app that was originally set up for people looking for a third but had broadened to include most sexual types of hookups, including sharing.
She’d also texted that she understood why I was doing what I was doing and that she hoped her tips would help him get better. I hadn’t shared that text with Neil, but it had made me feel less broken. I really wanted to know whether she’d gotten off, but I didn’t ask. I’d texted her a “thank you” for the app suggestion, realized she probably thought I meant thank you for trying to help my boyfriend, and then I hadn’t known how to fix it.
She’d just returned a wink emoji. Neither of us had texted again, but I figured that was for the best. As much as I liked her, I wasn’t sure we could be friends now that she’d slept with Neil.
“I’m glad you’re meeting the guy here,” Jack said. “We can have your back if he turns out to be an asshole.”
My eyes grew warm, and I blinked hard. “Thanks. That’s what I was thinking, too.” I glanced back at Sean, and he gave me a nod.
“We got you,” he called out.
If these guys weren’t careful, I was going to cry. I took a sip of my drink instead, letting my emotions settle.
Jack had started working his way around the bar when I heard my name from next to me. “Hailey?”
I turned toward my date, who looked like his pictures, to my relief. He had close cropped hair, a slightly too large nose, which is what had made me pause on his profile in the first place, and eyes that I couldn’t tell the color of in the photos, but that appeared gray in the soft bar lighting.
“Yes, hi, Caleb.” I smiled at him, holding out my hand.
He gave it a quick squeeze before perching on the seat next to me. “Wow, you’re even prettier in person.”
My eyes dipped to my drink. “Thanks.”
“I’m glad we could do this.” His gaze scanned the bar, and there was a soft smile on his lips. “I’ve never been here before, but it looked interesting online. I like getting to hear new bands.”
