Bittersweet

~~ The Catch 22 ~~

She tilted her head, looking at him, turning to me and then back to Jake "You know me?"

"Sweetheart, there isn't much I don't know about you."

"Ignore him." A crease formed over my brow. "Jenna, this is my best friend, Jake. You'll get used to his smart-ass remarks. And learn to ignore him."

Jake placed his hand over his chest, feigning pain. "Ouch, you burn me, man. That's cold."

"Oh, I remember now. You were there last week, at the engagement party." She nodded excitedly.

"Yeah, my brother Justin... bites the dust.  Why anyone bothers these days is beyond me."

"Oh, so you're not married?"

"Me, nah. Life a buffet sweetheart, you gotta sample it all."

Jenna looked at me, and I guessed it was to see if I agreed with him. I shook my head. She returned her gaze back to Jake. "Oh, well when you meet the right somebody, you'll no doubt change your mind."

Jake laughed, but not his usual easy-going laugh, this had an edge of bitterness. "Nah, never gonna happen, sweetheart. And let's look at the statistics. Who the hell does it work out for?"

Jenna quietened, and I gave Jake a hard glare. Way to go, asshole!  He returned my stare with a—What the hell have I done look. I flicked my chin up, hoping he would take the hint and disappear.

"Ah, just ignore me, as our boy just said—Everyone usually does."

Jenna hiccupped and swayed a little, steadying herself on the bar. "Oops, excuse me."

Jake heaved a sigh as someone called his name out further down the bar. "Well, some of us aren't here to relax. Catch you later—have fun kids."

Finally...

"Do you want to sit with your friends?" I was hoping she would say no, but at least the offer was on the table.

Shaking her head. "Nah, every time I catch them looking at me, I know there wondering why I haven't dragged you off somewhere to seduce you yet." Her hand flew to her mouth and clasped her lips shut. Eyes wide and slightly panicked. "Sorry, I didn't realize I'd said that out loud. I must kill you now!"

The rosy hue to her cheeks deepened. It was adorable. "I remember you saying that you must kill me once before."

"Did I?"

I remembered everything from the moment we met. Best and worst day of my life up to that point. I laughed. "But getting back to this whole seduction. You fancy your chances?"

She straightened her shoulders. "What? So, you don't think I could—seduce you, that is?"

Drunk Jenna was absolutely more forward than tipsy Jenna. And surely it was okay to flirt—nothing wrong in that. It certainly upped my chances of sealing the deal on a kiss. I took a step closer crowding her much smaller frame with my own, boxing her in with my arms either side of her on the bar. "Baby, I have no doubt you could seduce me."

I heard her sharp intake of breath. As she pulled back, looking up, searching my face for answers that she didn't quite dare to ask the questions.

Our eyes remained locked before our heads both turned to hear Jake call Time in the bar. I hadn't realized it was so late. Shit, she would leave soon.  "I'm not ready for you to leave." Now I was the one who was saying things that should have stayed in my head.

She giggled. "Wait here." Ducking under my arm to escape. I grabbed the bottle of water and drank it down a little too quickly. Way to go dumbass —she practically just bolted to the door!