Bittersweet

~~ A little Help from our Friends ~~

I rolled my eyes. "No, she's not crazy."

He cocked a brow, unsure. "Didn't she blow you off a couple of months back?"

The memory of that day replayed through my head.  She had been well and truly pissed off and damn when she was angry, she was goddamn sexy to boot.  "Could you blame her? My dad just asked if her kid was Tony's." Still couldn't believe he'd done that. When my Ma had told me, I wanted to punch him. "Anyway, getting back to the party. She said she was sorry, and I asked for her number and invited her here. She's coming tonight." A stupid smirk kicked up at the corner of my mouth.

"Proud of you, my little Padawan. The force is strong in this one." He slapped me on the back.

"Star-Wars, good call."

He took a step back, taking a swig of his beer. "Ah, does that mean I can have August's number?"

"Do you listen to yourself, seriously? But knock yourself out." He didn't stand a cat-in-hells chance with August, but who was I to crush him?

"It's a gift. So... tonight—is this like a date or what?"

Did I think it was a date?  The idea had played through my head more than once since she messaged me back. "No, not exactly, I told her to come and bring some friends along. Have a night on me. And before you say it— I'll sort their tab."

He rested one hand on the bar. "Don't stress it." He took another drink. "Don't fuck it up. Because I will definitely not hesitate in hitting on Jenna. That woman deserves to be shown a good time, especially after being with shit-head."

I knew he was only messing with me, but still I lowered my tone. "Keep your hands to yourself, Jake."

He held out one hand in mock surrender, although seemingly pondering for a moment. "Seriously though, what did she see in him? I can't believe you're related."

I'd asked myself that same question—more than once! "Me neither." I shook my head.

And I would not fuck it up.

~ ~

I'd taken up a spot at the far end of the bar, serving occasionally, but mainly keeping my eyes on the door.. It was going on for nine-thirty, still early, but I honestly thought she would have been here by now. Pulling my phone from my jeans pocket, I checked just in case she had cancelled.

No message—A good sign, right?

Looking over towards the door, my breath hitched as she came in with a woman in tow.

Jesus Christ.  If there was any doubt that my heart was no longer my own, well, there was the proof.

She looked stunning, dressed casually in a pale blue top that gave a hint of her midriff with jeans that hugged her deliciously. Understated for sure but, perhaps because she was disarmingly unaware of her beauty. Her skin flawless, she shone—radiating so bright it almost hurt to look. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail, giving a cute but hot, let me take your hair down and run my fingers through it look.

And as sure as music soothes the soul— I would kiss her by the end of the night.

What the?  She made a goof-ball face and laughed as I watched someone whisper into her ear and place their hands on her hips.

That someone was a man.

Fuck!

Had she brought a date? I recognized the woman she was with; the caterer from Justin's engagement.