Page 12 of Kissed in the Dark

“Then why the hell did he leave?” I whisper, annoyance and confusion spiking.

She shrugs an elegant shoulder. “Men, honey. Nobody can understand them. My own husband is a jealous bastard but he loves that I do this job. Thinks it’s sexy. But then he gets all mad when goes look at me.” She smirks. “They don’t make a damn bit of sense. But you either live with it or you don’t.”

Then she saunters out, her glittery costume swaying with every step. I shake my head. “I think I might need a drink.”

The bartender eyes me nervously. “You’re not gonna tear the place up too.”

“Nope,” I huff. I’m just gonna try to figure out what the hell just happened.

One of the bridesmaids slips in beside me and we both wave down the bartender who deposits our order and then goes to the other end of the bar to wait on more customers.

“This place is busy.”

She nods her head. “Yeah.”

I turn to her and ask, “did you hear any of what happened?”

She grins. “Yep!”

“What do you think Jude meant?”

“When he said he loves you? I think he meant he loves you.”

“But he can’t. He left me alone after we….” I flush and look down.

She laughs. “After you did the deed, huh?” Her eyes turn speculative. “It sounds like he thinks he hurt you physically.” This time she flushes. “I mean…ummm. Was he rough?”

I shake my head. “No. It was so beautiful that I broke down and cried and he carried me into the bedroom and I fell asleep in his arms. It was wonderful.”

“Oh,” she groans. “You cried? Did you tell him why?”

I shake my head. “I was smiling and happy.” But then I stop and think.

“Did he see that?”

“Shit! No! I was looking down and wrapped up with my head on my arms. I just thought…I mean it was so good how could he not know.”

She chuckles. “He’s a guy. Sometimes they don’t get our emotions, honey. You have to make it plain.”

I jump to my feet. “You’re right. I’m an idiot.”

She drops her head to her hand and takes a sip of her white wine. “Naw. You’re a woman in love. It makes idiots out of all of us. Go get your man.”

I nod my head but stop and reach out to grab her hand. “What’s your name?”

“Sissy. Sissy Bartholomew.”

I smile at her. “Well, Sissy. I hope that my brother finds a girl like you one of these days.”

Her smile slips and she sighs. “I hope that he doesn’t. I’m no good for guys.”

I want to stay and ask her what she’s talking about but there’s a guy sitting in jail that needs to know that I love him. He didn’t hurt me physically. He hurt me leaving me and he better never do it again.

But I also need to find out what’s going on with Chris. He needs me too.

So I call a driver since my car was totaled in the flood. I found that out tonight as well when I asked the officers if it had been found yet.

He shows up and I ask to go to the jail.

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