Page 39 of The Expiration Date

“Okay, fine. Let’s get that shot in you!”

We make our way over to the bar with the posse of bridesmaids and some of Anna’s other friends behind us. The bartender is tipped off that we are a part of a bachelorette party due to Anna’s veil headband and large sash that reads “Bride to Be.”

“This round is on the house, ladies.”

“Thanks, handsome.” Anna winks at the bartender and throws back the shot.

“Down girl, you know that you’re the one getting married, right?” I say to Anna, downing my own shot.

“Oh calm down, this is seriously the last time I am ever going to get to flirt with another guy in my life. I love Dan more than life itself. Don’t get your panties in a wad.”

I roll my eyes. “I know you do. You’re lucky, Anna. And I am so happy for you and Dan. Not many people’s relationships last as long as yours. I wish I had that.”

“Oh, I bet you are going to have that, Hales. I’ve seen the way Charming treats you.”

My pulse quickens. I try to rid my mind of thoughts about Aidan. His smile. His eyes. His body. He texted me earlier to make sure I was okay and said to text if I need him at all tonight.

“He worships the ground you walk on,” Anna continues. “Believe me. A man doesn’t look at a woman like he looks at you for no reason.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” I say, trying to convince myself of those exact words. He is just acting. That’s his job.

“No, I am saying that because it’s the truth.” Anna purses her lips and taps me lightly on the arm. She turns toward the bartender. “Hey handsome, can we have two more shots?”

“Coming right up,” the bartender responds, grabbing two shot glasses and the bottle of Patron.

“Actually I’ll just have water, please,” I yell at the bartender. I whip my head back to Anna, “Seriously, I need to stop drinking. I am way past my threshold and besides, it is my duty to watch after you as your Maid of Honor.”

“Ugh, fine. I’ll just take the shot for you.”

“Have at it.” I laugh at my best friend as she takes two shots in a row. Her threshold is most definitely higher than mine. Mental note: make sure that she starts drinking water ASAP.

The next thing I know, Anna is squealing with excitement as she bolts toward the middle of the dancefloor. I follow her to her final destination: the arms of her groom. Dan looks just as inebriated in his own right, but I watch them as they smile at each other–those aren’t drunken smiles. It is as if they sober up in each other’s presence.

I slowly sip my water. My mind is getting cloudy. I am entering a kind of haze. A haze that hasn’t been present in three years. I close my eyes, trying to lift the haze with my positive thoughts of being sober. As much as I love letting loose, I hate feeling out of control.

“Hey man, can I have a double shot of Jameson?”

A chill runs up my spine. There is only one person I know who orders that drink, and he is the last person I want to see tonight. “And a shot of tequila for the lady here.”

“No thanks,” I say without even looking in Robert’s direction.

“C’mon, Haley. We’re celebrating. Our best friends are getting married.”

“I said no.” My eyes shoot daggers at him. Sense my tone, Robert. “What are you even doing here, anyway?”

“Dan has been texting Anna all night, and she texted him your ladies’ location. Figured we would stop by after the last bar we went to.” Of course Anna and Dan have been texting all night. They couldn’t stand not talking to each other for a night, let alone a few hours. The other groomsmen and bridesmaids are out on the dance floor, looking like college kids at a house party, completely uninhibited with no worries in the world. And here I am, just as drunk, but sadly I can’t escape one thing that has been my constant worry this entire weekend. Unfortunately, he isn’t leaving my side. My breathing becomes erratic when I don’t see Aidan right away. I’m not going to give Robert the satisfaction of knowing that he is annoyingly getting under my skin.

“Nice dress, by the way.” I feel Robert’s eyes glide the length of my body. I squirm a little, immediately hating myself for putting on this dress–or rather, Anna picking out this dress and me going along with it. I can hear her words ringing in my ears over the loud music: “Trust me, Hales, this black, short, strapless one is the dress to wear tonight. You are my hot friend. You need to dress the part, little missy. You are dating the hottest man in the universe, right?” I suddenly wish I had one of my cardigans to cover up. Why the hell is Robert scanning my body, anyway? I know Julia couldn’t come out tonight with us, news that was music to my ears. At least the universe was on my side on that front. With Robert, not so much.

“Thanks.” I cross my arms over my chest, hoping to hide some of my cleavage.

Robert inches closer to me and nurses his drink. Even when he doesn’t say anything to me, his mere presence is suffocating. “You never wore those kinds of outfits while we were together. I guess being out in L.A. has changed you.”

I finally make eye contact with the man I once thought I was going to love forever. Right now, all I feel is hate. And despite what some might say, I can assure you, love and hate are not the same thing. “Let’s not start this, okay?”

“Start what? I’m just making conversation.” He finishes his drink and gestures to the bartender for another one. How many has that been tonight?

“A conversation I don’t want to have.” I shift my weight to my other foot and prop my hand on my hip. My feet are killing me. I am half-ready to take these heels off right now. I am just scared that without the physical pain distracting me, I would have to face the emotional pain on its own.

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