Page 61 of More Than a Fling

“Good call.”

“I hope so, my heart can’t take another beating.”

“You’re stronger than you think. I’ll bet he’s as miserable as you are Annie.”

“I hope so. I guess I’ll find out tonight.”

“What are you going to wear?” J.J. asked.

“Something incredibly sexy to remind him of what he is missing.”

“You could wear a bag and look sexy. You just have the IT factor.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, I’m sure I’ll need it round about nine o’clock tonight. Send me some positive vibes.”

“I will darlin’.”

* * *

The parking lot was jam-packed when Annie pulled in and she had to park along the street. She could hear the music from outside the door as she approached. She tugged at her black knit mini skirt which was riding high up on her thighs. The silky cropped tank top didn’t quite reach her waist, allowing fleeting glimpses of skin. The champagne colored Jimmy Choo knock-offs had stiletto heels and sparkled with glitter. She had swept up her hair in a twist leaving some wispy tendrils loose. Her eyeliner and dark brows made her green eyes pop. Annie was prepared for battle.

There were several people ahead of her showing their IDs to gain entrance. She pulled out her driver’s license and handed it to the bouncer when it was her turn. He looked her up and down from head to toe and smiled approvingly. She smiled back and entered the fray.

She squeezed her way through the throng of people to get to the bar, which was three-deep with folks waiting to place their drink orders.

The opening band sang a Merle Haggard tune and didn’t sound too bad. Annie glanced down the bar and caught sight of Gabe sitting on a bar stool. Her heart skipped a beat then started racing.God he was so gorgeous. He had a rare quality that was obvious but impossible to describe.Star dust.

She was so engrossed with Gabe that the bartender had to yell at her twice over the noise to get her order. “I’ll have a vodka and tonic with a twist of lime,” she said.

As she was planning her line of attack, a buxom blond sat down next to Gabe and leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Gabe laughed at whatever she had said causing Annie to shrink up inside. It was obvious that they were flirting with each other by their body language. Gabe threw back a shot and nodded to the bartender for another. The blond had wrapped her arm around Gabe’s neck possessively and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

He was most definitely not resisting! Annie could feel her cheeks grow hot with humiliation. So much for reconciliation. He sure as hell wasn’t wasting any time crying in his beer.Fuck him!

She quickly paid for her drink then got up to leave. Glancing back one last time, she was glad to note that Gabe had not noticed her.Good and good riddance!

* * *

The blond hanging all over Gabe tonight was not a distraction. If anything, it only made him miss Annie more. He completely related to the saying “lonely in a crowd” because he embodied that sentiment. He was going through the motions, but his heart wasn’t in it. The numbing effect of the whiskey wasn’t nearly enough.

The blond, Courtney, was a beauty, but it all felt forced and fake. She was trying too hard and Gabe just wasn’t interested. He was bored out of his mind with superficial small talk and meaningless hookups. It just didn’t appeal to him anymore. He wanted one woman and that girl was Annie.

Too bad she had branded him a cheater and a liar. He couldn’t seem to let go of the hurt and anger he felt. They had fit together like Johnny Cash and June Carter. Their chemistry was off the charts, but it was more than that. They spoke the same language. They never had to waste energy trying to explain what they were saying to each other or what they meant. They played well together and laughed a lot.

He had never been so stimulated and content at the same time. He felt like he was home when he was with her. How could she have believed a total stranger over him? Guilty until proven innocent. He just didn’t get it.

Courtney returned from the restroom and rubbed her breasts against Gabe’s back, as she nuzzled his neck from behind. “Hey, no offense Courtney, but I’m not available. We’re getting ready to go on in a few minutes, so I hope you have a great night,” Gabe said in his gentlest tone of voice.

Courtney reared back as if he had struck her and lashed out angrily, “You mean you have been leading me on all night and you’re taken?”

“I haven’t been leading you, on I’ve been sitting here getting drunk.”

“You certainly didn’t tell me to go away.”

“I’m telling you now,” Gabe replied quietly.

“No problem, I’m sure any other guy in this joint would be happy to have my attention.”

“I’m sure you’re right, it’s just not me, I’m sorry,” Gabe said.

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