“Take a seat then. We need to have a little chat.”
Waylon did as he was told, grabbing an empty stool from the table behind him.
“Let’s chat.” He held his hands out.
Harper dove right on in. “What are your intentions with our girl here?”
“What in the hell?” I yelled. “Waylon, you don’t have to do this. They’re just protective.”
He put his hand on mine before turning to Harper. “I intend on making her as happy as humanly possible for as long as she will let me.”
They all sighed dramatically. Cue the old-timey swooning music from any Disney movie.
“So we don’t need to worry that you’re not into her or are going to hurt her?” Caroline added.
“I am very much into this woman, and I have absolutely no intention of hurting her.” Waylon locked eyes with me. “I like you, Annabelle. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” I murmured. My cheeks, neck, and ears were burning up. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
“If you would excuse me, I do have a bar to run.” Waylon waved goodbye to the group.
“Crap, he’s perfect. That hair, those teeth, that smile, that tattoo—add in that he is sweet and is a smitten kitten for you, Annie, and it’s all over. I am so fucking happy.” Harper raised her glass high in the air. “To Annie finding her smile again.”
All of our glasses clinked together.
“I’m sorry I have been such a dreary rain cloud these last few years.” I knew it went without saying, but I just had to say it.
“Sweetheart, you can be a rain cloud as much as you want. It’s not like you’re going to snap out of it completely. There will still be good days and bad ones. We just want there to be more good days like yesterday in your future and less meltdown days like last Friday night. That’s all.” Caroline winked at me as I gripped her hand.
“You guys have no idea what your friendship means to me,” I said as I sniffled.
Harper put her hand on top of mine, which was still clutching Caroline’s. “We are family. This is what family does.”
And cue the waterworks. “I am going to run to the little girl’s room.” I sniveled as I shoved away from the table. “I just need some tissues.”
“Want me to go with you?” Sawyer called after me.
“No, I’m fine.”
Ducking into the bathroom, I splashed some cold water on my face. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I was crying happy tears. I felt completely foolish for even crying that much because of feeling the love from my friends, but I was a total sap when it came that type of shit.
“Annabelle?” Waylon called from the other side of the bathroom door.
“Yeah?” I answered in between sniffles.
“Are you all right?” he asked, opening the door and just marching in.
I gaped at him. “What are you doing in the women’s restroom?”
“I thought you were upset so I came in here to check on you. I’m the owner—I can do whatever I want.”
“That’s sweet, but I’m fine. Just a chick-flick moment mixed with cocktails turning me into a blubbering fountain.”
“So, did your friends like me?” He patted my cheeks dry with a paper towel.
“Loved you,” I explained. “They think you’re all that and a bag of chips.”
I started laughing at my own stupid joke, and Waylon did too.
