Page 23 of Won’t Let You Get Away

“Looks like we’ve got a great view at the bar tonight.”

I glance over my shoulder to see the blonde woman who came in with Addison, standing behind my brother. But her gaze is fixed on AJ, not me. I stifle a laugh, not wanting to risk her attention shifting to me.

Connor, ever the polite one, speaks up for us. “Evening, ma’am,” he responds simply, acknowledging her presence but keeping his focus elsewhere. “Hey, man. Didn’t think you were gonna show!” Connor says with surprise as he greets someone else.

I twist more to get a better look and see Tucker heading towards us, with Bri following close behind. I’ve known Tucker for years and spent many nights sitting in these exact seats with him. Not once did I feel anything other than respect or kinship towards him.

But seeing him so close to Bri now makes my stomach churn.

“I told you I’d be here. Just had to offer chauffeur services,” Tucker laughs as he moves around the frowning woman and takes the empty bar stool next to AJ.

Addison joins them with two glasses in hand, while Bri stands next to her sister without looking in my direction. Instead, she stares at the seat next to Tucker.

“Here you go, Hannah. Vodka sprite with an extra shot and a lime.” Addison passes her friend one of the drinks before finally noticing and greeting us with a wave.

“Oh, hey guys!” Addison smiles, waving to me and Connor before turning back to Hannah. “Did you want to get?—”

“You know them?” Hannah interrupts, and I don’t miss Bri stepping closer to her sister with a scowl on her face.

“Yeah, they own the farm behind the vineyard. Ma invited them over for dinner last week.” Addison looks back at me and Connor, grinning once again. “You boys seem to have Ma wrapped around your fingers.”

Connor responds, but I don’t hear their conversation as my attention is focused on Bri.

It’s like night and day seeing her standing only a few feet away now compared to three months ago. Uncertainty radiates off her in waves as she chews her bottom lip and avoids making eye contact with me.

Not wanting to make her any more uncomfortable, I turn forward and grab some fries. Lost in thought, I barely register the conversation happening around me until Addison speaks up again.

“Just out for a girls’ night. Needed to show Sabrina that it is possible to have a good night out in this town.”

Jealousy hits me hard at the thought of Bri getting drinks and flirting with someone else in this town. Logically, I know I have no right to feel possessive over her. Even still, I can’t stand the thought of sitting by while anyone else hits on her.

Reaching for my napkin, I wipe my face and hands off before taking my wallet from my pocket. Pulling out more than enough cash to cover my food and beer, I signal for the bartender to close out my tab.

I can feel AJ’s eyes burning into the side of my face but I refuse to look his way just yet. I still haven’t told him or Connorabout my connection to Bri. Until I do, they won’t understand why I can’t be here and witness a girls’ night out.

“I’m gonna call it a night,” I clap my brother on the shoulder. He opens his mouth to protest but I nod towards AJ. “See you Monday for Rosie’s check-up.”

He nods in response, but doesn’t say anything else. He raises an eyebrow, silently questioning me, but I choose to ignore it. Connor will most likely show up at my house tomorrow demanding answers to why I left before finishing my dinner. But that’s a problem for future me.

I wave towards Tucker, receiving a small dip of his chin in response before his attention returns to Bri. Clearing my throat, I awkwardly step back. “Have a good night, ladies.”

Turning on my heel, I make a beeline for the door. The cool spring breeze hits my face, providing a moment of respite from my racing heart and thoughts. I navigate across the parking lot towards my truck, eager to escape into the night.

As I make my way through the dimly lit parking lot, the pulsing beat of loud music draws my attention back to the bar. A group blocks the door, their laughter piercing through the quiet night. I quicken my pace and try to focus on how I’m going to explain to my brother why I left so abruptly.

He’ll definitely give me a hard time for not mentioning her sooner.

“Noah,” Bri calls out.

I stumble at her voice. My breath lodges in my throat and I will my heart to not beat out of my chest. Turning, I watch as she crosses the lot towards me.

Unable to think of anything to say, I lean my hip against my truck, fumbling with my key fob and wait for her to finish closing the distance.

She stops a few feet away, fidgeting with the hem of her top. “Hi.”

“Hey,” I offer, clenching my keys in my hand and motioning back to the bar. “Already needed a break from girls’ night?”

Bri glances over her shoulder, chewing her bottom lip before looking back at me.

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