Page 96 of GAF Factor

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

But he still wasn’t looking at me. The hard lines of his jaw and the slight tick of his eyebrow said he wanted to hit the guy, but now wasn’t the time to start a fight.

“Hey, bartender, right?”

“Yeah.”

I grimaced at the sticky feel of liquid in my shoe as we continued to the bar. Finally, the crowd thinned out a little, making it easier for me to walk beside IKE. IRIS and Jane were further ahead, already in line at the bar.

I couldn’t see all the bartenders from where we were, but a few were clear, and none were the man Shawn introduced me to. Minutes ticked by as we waited for the line to move up. Finally, we made it to the bar and IKE ordered drinks.

“Anything?”

I shook my head. “No, none of these guys.”

“Keep looking. Maybe he’ll turn up later.”

I nodded and let him pull me into the crowd. Sipping my drink, it was easy to loosen up and forget my nerves.

“Dance?”

“What?” IKE’s hand was facing up, ready to take mine. “I didn’t know you danced.”

“When in Rome.”

He pulled me onto the dance floor and swayed with me to the music. It was awful. I was a terrible dancer anyway, but the music made it even worse. Of course, he was smooth as ever, showing me up and making me look like an idiot.

“Is there anything you’re not good at?” I asked him.

He pretended to think about it. “I don’t seem to be very good at this.”

“At this?” I asked in confusion.

“Being with women.”

I was about to ask him more when I spotted someone out of the corner of my eye. Taking a closer look, I thought he looked familiar. “IKE, I think that’s him.”

“Are you sure?”

“No. I need to get closer.”

He grabbed my hand and tugged me through the crowd, signaling to IRIS on the way. My heart started thumping. God, I was so nervous. I just wanted this to be over.

“What about now?” IKE asked.

I shuffled around another couple and then it was clear, a direct line of sight to the man, and it was him. “Yes, that’s him.” Hope filled me so quickly that I got lightheaded. This could all be over soon.

“Alright, I just want you to bump into him. Pretend like you didn’t know he was there.”

I blew out a breath and then another. “Okay. I can do that.”

“Good. I’ll be right over here.” Then he waved to Jane. “You’re up.”

Jane walked over and linked her arm with mine. “Time to catch some bait.”

“I think we’re the bait,” I said.

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