Page 65 of Jael

The bartender gave them each a look, then went to retrieve the drinks.

“I’m not that drunk,” she said to Danny. “So you can stop looking at me with that disappointed frown.”

“I’m not disappointed. I told you, I’m worried about you.”

The shots were deposited on the counter in front of Jael. She lifted one and clinked the other glass. “Here’s to the future.” She downed it in a gulp. “That one’s for you.” She pushed the waiting shot sideways.

“I don’t want it.”

She shrugged, then picked it up and tipped it back.

“Huzzah,” she said before banging it down on the counter.

Danny settled back onto his stool. It could be a long night, but he wouldn’t leave her.

As though she read his mind, she said, “I’m not going anywhere with you, so you may as well go.”

“If I go, then who’s going to take you home?”

“Car—Cam—” She scratched her head. “Maybe it was Sam.”

“Who?”

“The man who will take me home if I ask nicely.”

Danny looked over her head where he saw Shiny-shirt hitting on another woman.

“I think he’s busy.”

“Yeah, well, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“What question?”

“Why you keep following me around? And don’t give me that ‘I’m worried about you’ spiel. My dad is dead.” She laughed. “You going to stand at his grave and give him an update? Or have you changed alliances? Maybe it’s Christopher waiting for news of my whereabouts. I’m sure my fiancé would be happy for you to continue keeping tabs on me. Nowthere’sa guy who likes to be in control.” The smile dropped from her face, and she ordered another drink.

“I’m here because I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

She scoffed. “Too late for that. I have wounds on my wounds.”

“They can heal if you give them the chance, but you’ve got to stop picking at them.”

She swung around in her chair. “You think I’m the one picking?” She was angry now. “You think I like being this way? My father is dead, and yet, even from the grave, he continues to force me to do his bidding. My life has never been my own.”

“Is that why you’re marrying Christopher?”

“Why else would I marry a man like that?”

“He can’t force you to do anything anymore.”

“Then you don’t know my father. He’s a smart man. He knew that all he had to do was wrap up my inheritance into a marriage.Without a ring on my finger from Christopher, I get nothing. And Vita Nova—” She brushed her hands against each other. “Gone to dust. Not to mention Becca would probably be dead within the week.”

Danny’s mouth puckered as he controlled his anger. It had never occurred to him that Jael’s friendliness with Christopher was forced upon her.

“So stop being nice to me and telling me it will all work out well in the end. It won’t.” She sipped at her next drink. “My life is over. You may as well go live yours.”

Chapter 18

Danny ordered a coke,and he and Jael sat in silence for a while.

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