Page 61 of Chasing Sunrise

“She called you?”

“No, the manager of Tango Charlie’s did.”

“Why?”

“I’m her emergency contact. I had them look you up in her contacts. Can you find out what’s going on?”

“Barry, Amanda and I...”

His dad curiously studied him.

“We’re just friends.”

“Friends help each other, don’t they?” After a hesitation, Barry continued, “You’re the first guy she’s told me about since our divorce.”

A spark flared in Kasey’s chest.

“Today is the anniversary of her parents’ death. Has Amanda told you anything about how they died?”

“Only that they were killed by a drunk driver.”

“Is that all—”

The phone went dead.

~

Kasey hustled intoTango Charlie’s Bar and paused for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. It was close to seven pm and still light outside. The upscale club smelled of myrrh. Leather couches were flanked by butcher block-looking end tables with live green plants. He glanced toward the bar where loud hooting and hollering could be heard over the music.

He almost swallowed his tongue.

Amanda stood atop the bar. She held a fifth bottle of something in one hand while her other hand held a shot glass as she swayed to the music. Dressed in black slacks and a pink top, she looked like she’d come straight from school. Her body moved in perfect time with the soulful music.

Just a few people were inside at this early hour. The ones egging her on were perched on stools around the bar.

A man wearing a suit approached him. “Hunter Kase. Welcome to Tango Charlie’s.”

“Are you the manager?”

“Yes, Cartwright Abrams. What can I do for you?”

“Barry Crane sent me.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize the Kasey Barry asked me to search for on Amanda’s phone was you.” He frowned. “She came in, bought a bottle of tequila, and stared at it for an hour. Finally, she asked for the manager and shoved her purse into my hands saying, ‘Don’t let me drive.’ She poured a shot and downed it. Every so often, she fills the shot glass and drinks it. Luckily, she’s not drinking from the bottle, so we’ve been able to keep track of how much she’s had. I think she’s up to nine shots in...” He pulled his phone out and checked the time. “Two hours.”

“I’m confused why you called her emergency contact?”

“When she first arrived, she asked my bartender what kind of tequila was the best and mentioned she’d never had a drink. We thought she might be in trouble.”

“Well...I appreciate your concern.” Kasey held out his hand.

Cartwright pumped it. “I’ll go retrieve her purse.”

Kasey tentatively approached where she danced. The last conversation between them had been a difficult one. He had no idea how she’d react to seeing him.

He made it to the bar.

She glanced at him, then blinked her glassy eyes. Her surprised expression quickly turned into a beaming smile. After pouring some tequila in the shot glass she held it up in a toast. “Everyone, it’s the world’s favorite reality star. The incredible Hunter Kase.”

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