Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Happy New Year

Narrowing my eyes at the man, I push him away before landing a punch to his shoulder. "Excuse you! Rude much, asshole?"

Joel lets out a jovial laugh as he extends his hand towards Lizzie. "My apologies, I couldn't pass up a moment to tease this one over here. It's wonderful to meet you, Miss Olsen. I'm Joel, and my husband and I own this place. We are also die-hard fans of yours, so you'll have to excuse us if we come off too strong."

The brunette shakes Joel's hand, an amused smile on her face, no doubt having enjoyed that little stunt. "Thank you. It's nice to meet you. Please, call me Lizzie, though. Miss Olsen just sounds too formal."

Joel gives a small nod before clasping me on the shoulder. "Well, Lizzie, I can't tell you how ecstatic I was to find out that you and our Y/N would be attending tonight. It's certainly an honor."

I can't help but roll my eyes, elbowing the older man in the ribs. "That's enough ass-kissing, Joel. Where's your husband? I like him much more than I do you right now."

Joel chuckles, pointing over his shoulder towards the small crowd that's gathered near the stage as I take up residence beside my girlfriend once again. "He's getting the karaoke set up. I'll make sure he stops by to say hello at some point. Do you think you could honor us with your musical talents tonight, Y/N?"

Taking a sip of my soda I quickly shake my head. "Oh, no. I don't think so."

Joel nods, reaching out to grasp one of my hands, a small smile on his face as he glances between me and Lizzie. "At least I tried. If you change your mind you know how to operate the stereo. I have to make my rounds, but please make sure you all stick around for the ball drop at midnight. We're going to be live-streaming it on the TVs. But mostly, have fun. Again, it was so very nice to meet you, Lizzie. Please enjoy yourselves and make sure you let Gabby at the bar know that all of your all's drinks are on the house tonight."

With that, and another quick hug on my part, Joel starts to make his way through the crowd, disappearing amongst the mass of bodies.

"I like him."

Rolling my eyes, I pull the brunette over and away from the bar and towards an empty table, a small smile on my face. "I figured you would. Wait until you meet his husband, Will. They're like polar opposites, but they compliment each other well."

The song overhead changes to a more upbeat one, and suddenly Lizzie is taking my drink out of my hand and placing it on the table before pulling me to my feet. "Let's go dance."

I'm not about to refuse, not if it means I get to spend a few minutes pressed up against the woman currently tugging on my hand. And tonight is about having fun, so with a small smile, I let the brunette tug me out onto the dancefloor, my hands automatically falling to grasp onto her hips as I press my front against her back and slowly begin to sway the both of us to the beat of the song.

I don't know if it's because of the song overhead, or if Lizzie is feeling particularly adventurous tonight, but halfway through the song I feel her roll her hips against me in a way that causes me to lose all focus. Lizzie must notice because she gives me a smirk over her shoulder, which makes me instantly narrow my eyes at her. "Stop it. I can't think straight when you do that."

The brunette suddenly turns in my grasp, draping her arms over my shoulders and smirk still firmly in place. "Sorry, baby."

Chuckling, I let my hands settle and lock themselves at her lower back, pulling her even closer to me before brushing my nose against hers. "You're not sorry at all, you little shit."

One of Lizzie's hands moves to tangle itself in the hair at the base of my neck as she lets out a hum. "Nope."

We're moving at a much slower pace than normal, not even bothering to follow the beat of the music anymore, but I'm not about to complain. I'd gladly spend the rest of my life standing here with Lizzie wrapped in my arms, swaying to a beat that only we can hear. It's nice, just to two of us in our own little world.