“You first,” Deacon told me.
“Oh, thanks. Jack and Coke, please.”
“And beer. IPA, whatever you have.”
“You got it,” she said, turning back to the bar.
“Don’t tell Lee we had drinks,” he said, a smirk tilting his mouth.
“I don’t think he’d mind. Now.”
Deacon laughed. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable that day. I had no idea.”
Neither did we, I wanted to say. Well, we had, but we hadn’t known what to do about it.
“You didn’t. Things were a little complicated then.”
“But they seem to be great now. I’m happy for you guys. Lee deserves this.”
The bartender placed our drinks in front of us. “Here you go,” she said before scurrying to the other end of the bar.
“Thank you, Deacon.”
He smiled, taking a pull from his beer bottle. He really was handsome and charming. In another time and place where Lee didn’t exist, I would have taken him up on what he was trying to offer. But imagining a life without Lee was like picturing the sun missing from the sky.
“I think we’re at the same table, so I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, very soon,” I said, smiling while I tried to find Lee in the crowd. I was scanning the space instead of where I was going and rammed right into a tall, hard chest.
“I’m so sorry, Stella,” Adrian said, searching my gaze. “Are you okay? Lee will kill me if I hurt you.”
“I’m fine. All my fault. Good to see you.” My gaze drifted to the petite brunette at his side.
“Stella, this is Trina. Trina, Stella is our chiro’s girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you, Trina,” I said, taking her delicate extended hand.
“You too,” she said, beaming up at Adrian as he drew her closer.
“Trina and I grew up together. Like you and Lee, right?”
“That’s right. We both come from Brooklyn.”
“We’re from upstate,” Trina said. Her red dress brought out her dark eyes and tanned skin.
“Kelly Lakes. It’s a tiny town by Albany not many know about,” Adrian said, smiling down at his date. “Where’s Lee?”
“That’s a good question. I was trying to find him when I stumbled into you.”
“I’m sure Kent has them schmoozing with all the big donors.” He smiled at Trina over his shoulder. “I guess weshould get back to our table. I’m glad you’re here.” Adrian’s lips curved. “It’s nice to see Doc happy.”
“So I hear.” My wide grin strained my cheeks. “Have a great night.”
“You too,” Adrian said, shifting toward the main room with Trina still burrowed into his side.
I was about to follow them when I found Lee chatting with a blond woman across the room. Every time he’d turn to walk away, she’d grab his wrist and pull him back.
My mind went to the box of condoms in his drawer. I hadn’t expected him to be a monk after Katie, but I’d still been surprised. I’d told him I hadn’t cared, and I didn’t, but I didn’t like this woman’s familiarity with Lee or how agitated he seemed to be every time she reached for him.
