“Look, it’s fine. I’m just not in the right place to meet men. I thought I was, but there’s so much going on, and inviting strangers into my life at a time when someone is harassing both me and Jace isn’t a great idea. Plus, we’re …” I trailed off, completely overwhelmed by the circumstances.
“Plus you’re having romantic interludes against his car in the dark of night?” There was humour in her tone, but I also detected a hint of judgement. It got my back up, but I let it slide, choosing peace over war on this occasion. Besides, I knew she only wanted what was best for me, and she also probably felt awkward and annoyed because now she had to go let Dominic down gently.
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not right now.”
“I’m really sorry, Shannon. I never meant to overstep. You know I just don’t want you to get to my age and still be dating. I put up a good front, but …” Her voice caught before she continued, “It’s really rough out there.”
“Oh, Margie,” I pulled her into my arms, and we hugged it out.
We went inside to join the others, and though Margie and I had made up, it was still the most uncomfortable Wine & Letters night I’d experienced to date. Mainly because of Dominic’s presence. Though, luckily, no one decided to read out any romantic letters like last time with Jace.
The tension lifted a little when Ozzie regaled us with the written exchange between Sultan Mehmed IV and the Zaporozhian Cossacks from 1675. We all broke into hysterics when he read out the Cossacks’ response to the Sultan’scommand that they submit to him in what was basically a list of lewd and creative insults.
Despite this, I still felt a little awkward saying goodnight to Margie and was relieved when I got the text from Isla letting me know she was outside. By the time I got to the karaoke bar, the celebrations were in full swing. It was live karaoke, which meant instead of a backing track, there was a band on stage to back you up. Francesca and one of her college friends were currently up there singing “Kiss from a Rose” as a duet.
I smiled at the irony of the members of a band as famous as Astro taking part in something like this and wondered if the live band recognised them. Needing to use the bathroom, since I’d forgotten to go before leaving Lotte’s, I followed the signs leading down a narrow corridor, then heard someone talking just around the corner. I only stopped when I recognised Elias’ voice. He sounded stressed.
“Please, I just need a little more time. I can get the money to you by next Friday.” A pause. “I know I said that before, but it’s different this time, I promise.”
Elias owed someone money? What on earth?
“Yes, yes, I won’t let you down. Thank you. I seriously owe you one.”
It sounded like he’d hung up, and I quickly slipped into the bathroom so he didn’t see me. Worry filled me because I was fond of Elias, and I didn’t like the idea of him being in debt. From what I heard, this wasn’t normal debt, like with a bank or a credit card company. This was debt where you had pleading phone calls late at night begging for a little more time to pay it back. What had he gotten himself into?
It wasn’t my place to interfere, and I was conflicted over whether to say something to Jace about it. He and Elias were close, and if anyone could relate to letting your life sink to a low point, it was Jace. In the end, I decided not to say anything justyet, but I might check in with Elias myself. My nerves were still frayed over the whole Margie thing, so I didn’t need to add to the stress.
“Can I get you a drink?” Jace asked when I approached him at one of the tables.
“No,” I answered tersely, but then softened my tone. “Maybe just a Coke.”
He frowned. “Everything okay?” I must’ve been displaying some sign of being off balance because he seemed concerned.
“Not really.”
His frown deepened. “Tell me.”
I bristled with awkwardness. “It’s really nothing. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Shannon, I’m going to get you that Coke, and then you’re going to talk.”
I was about to argue, but he was already up and headed towards the bar. I couldn’t help watching him, and it brought me all the way back to our past. Alcohol hadn’t been Jace’s drug of choice, but I knew addiction was a lifelong struggle. That any substance offering an altered state could be dangerous, even alcohol. It was relieving to see him so at ease, no tension in his posture as he spoke casually to the bartender, offering some banter and a smile. He really had come a long way. Hopefulness blossomed in my chest. Maybe there could be something between us again … in time.
Francesca and her friend had just finished their rendition of Seal’s big hit, so I took the opportunity to bring her birthday present to her. It was a gift card for her favourite board games store. I’d noticed a lot of college aged kids were getting back into retro past times. Not that I was that much older, but I guess being a parent made you feel older in certain ways.
Once I was done wishing Jace’s little sister a happy birthday, he was at my side with a Coke in hand as he led me to sit withhim at a free table. Elias was on stage singing the opening lines to some eighties love ballad, and my stomach twisted as I once again wondered what he’d gotten himself into. Jace dragged my attention back to him when he handed me my drink, his fingers gliding along mine. My breath caught, and his expression darkened when he noticed me shiver.
“Cold?”
“Nope.”
His eyebrow arched very slightly. “So, spill. What happened tonight to upset you?”
I let out a long exhale before shaking my head. “It’s silly, really.” I paused to take another sip, the syrupy sweetness soothing some of my tension. I’d had a few glasses of wine at Lotte’s, so the soft drink felt like a wise choice since I was a small bit tipsy already. “So, that Dominic guy who we thought was Margie’s date? She actually brought him there forme.”
