I resist the urge to fidget. How do I explain this? “There’s this guy,” I begin.
Ana whips her chair toward me, leaning in with a playful smirk. “Go on.”
I chuckle. “I met him online, and we’re… close. But he lives in San Diego.”
“Boyfriend close, or…?”
My cheeks heat. “He might be. I don’t really know yet. Anyway, I’m thinking of going to see him for the weekend. But I need your help.”
“How so?”
“Can you take my shift on Saturday? It’ll give me one more night with him. And I’ll return the favor when I get back, I promise."
Ana considers it for all of two seconds. “Fine. But I’m going to take you up on the offer. You’ll owe me.”
“Oh, and can you watch Lily?” She would be fine for one night on her own, but not three.
She sighs. “Yeah. Anything for love, I guess.”
I jump up to hug her. “Thank you!”
Decision officially made and plans set. Now I just need to get through the next two days without losing my mind.
What was I thinking?
This is crazy, right? To fly across three states to meet a guy I’ve only talked to online?
My heart is hammering as I stare at the entrance of Graham’s Bar. It’s definitely the right place. The Lyft driver had gone on and on about how he and his girlfriend love the bar, and how Declan makes him feel right at home.
Declan.As in, Jordan’s friend, from his chosen family!
It’s also exactly as the internet showed, with flashy neon lights and a brick exterior. Three tinted windows make it impossible to see in, but music pours out from the doors whenever someone passes through.
Jordan said they were busy on Saturdays, but dammit. I’m starting to think this wasn’t a good idea. He might not even be able to talk to me.
A group of people walk toward the door from the parking lot, jostling me as I stand in place. My shoulders ache from the weight of my backpack, and the item in my hand is starting to get heavy.Who brings a plant to a bar?
Doubt floods me. This is stupid. This is so monumentally stupid! He’s going to think I’m a loser.
I tug at my shirt again, sweat beading on my brows.
“Hey, Seth, did you hear about the new dirt biking group?” a voice says from close by. I turn to see two men walking toward me, heads low as they talk.
“Yeah, I did. Are you and Pete going to join?”
“We’re thinking about it. They only meet twice a month, so it shouldn’t be too bad. Pete’s just worried it’ll be too hard on his knees.”
The blond guy laughs. “I feel that. Getting old sucks. But count me in if you do.”
“Yeah?”
“Definitely. You got me hooked on those trails.”
The other guy beams. “Glad to hear it.”
Seth?As in,Declan’sSeth?
As they get closer, I get jostled back a few more steps by another group. The men both pause in front of me, and the blond one frowns. “Can I get the door for you?”
