Page 91 of My Undead Heart

“You’ve been really quiet today, Kitten. Everything okay?” Jared steps inside my cubicle a few minutes before it’s time to head out for the weekend. The truth is, I have been quiet. I’ve been mulling over my conversation with Matt from this morning. I still don’t know what to do about next weekend and that only irritates me more. I’m not one to second guess myself.

Lifting my gaze to meet his, I pull my lips into a tight smile. “Got a lot on my mind, and work. You should try it.”

“Ha! Won’t fool me with that trick.” He waggles his brows to earn a laugh but I’m not in the mood.

Leaning back into my chair, I push away from my keyboard. “Big plans with lawyer boy this weekend?”

“Yeah, but I’ll always make time for you. Hey, why don’t we grab drinks and appetizers at Cindy’s?”

“I don’t know ...” I blow out a deep breath. I’d rather go home to my sweatpants and mope, but Jared’s also a great sounding board. Maybe I should ask for his help.

“Come on, Kitten. You can fill me in on what’s going down. I’ll text Rae, too!” He claps his hands together and bounces on the balls of his Converse.

“Okay, fine.” I give in and point my finger at him. “Besides, I’ve got a bone to pick with your sister.”

“Deal. Ready in five.” He winks and turns to go back to his desk.

I close up my projects, log off my computer, and grab my jacket and bag before meeting him at the elevators. A quick bus down Michigan Avenue to the Athletic Association Hotel and we’re riding the elevator up to the rooftop bar. Rae’s already there, cozied up in one of the chairs near a heater.

I shoot a glare at Jared and he just shrugs. He played me, that much is clear because he obviously already made plans with his sister before inviting me along. I’m sure he also knows all about her ditching me at Zig’s.

Rae glances up as we approach and she eyes me warily. “Mia.” She rubs her hands nervously in her lap. “Hey.”

“You.” I point and she nibbles her lower lip. “What the hell were you thinking?” I plop into the empty chair at her right.

“I’m so sorry.” She groans.

“You made me look like an idiot! Not to mention how worried I was! I spent half an hour frantically searching for you in that bar.” Remembering the chain of events only riles me up again.

She nods and her brow pulls with a frown. “I’m sorry, Mia, really. I was only trying to help. I thought it would bring you and Matt together.”

“Well, it didn’t. It almost pushed us apart, not that it even matters because we’re too different anyway.” I grumble that last part and am thankful when neither of them pries for more.

“Ladies, let’s kiss and make up.” Jared grabs one of her hands and one of mine to link the three of us together. “I hate it when you fight.”

“I’m not even mad anymore,” I say because I’m not. I’m more or less relieved she apologized. “But don’t ever do that again. I was seriously scared something happened to you.”

“Did you not get my text?”

“Yeah. The one you sent after Matt shoved me in the back of an Uber? Rae, that’s not good enough. You can’t just take off with some stranger. It’s not responsible.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I was really drunk and not thinking clearly.”

“Obviously, neither of us was. From now on, no spur-of-the-moment outings after day drinking.”

“Deal.” She nods and our server comes by to take our orders. I stick with water, but order the bruschetta after Rae and Jared order their food. This restaurant is a favorite spot and already full with the Friday after work crowd. I’m glad Rae came early to snag this spot near a heater.

“So, now that you and Rae are good, tell us why you avoided me all day?” Jared’s brows rise with his smile.Gossip queen. Knowing he’s let me have my space all day without twenty questions must have been sheer torture for my nosy friend.

I let the silence between us stretch as I gather my thoughts. I’m still irritated with Matt. He implied something by asking me to both watch his fights and go to the Halloween party. It doesn’t sit quite right and nags at my mind. “Do you think I’m selfish?”

Jared’s smile widens with laughter. “Well, yeah. Aren’t we all. Why?”

“I don’t think I’m cut out for relationships. I know we joke about it all the time, but I think the problem isn’t in the losers I find. I think it’s me.” I pick at the fabric of my jeans. I’m too embarrassed to meet my friends’ stares.

“Honey, why do you say that?” Rae squeezes my hand and shakes her head. “We all deserve love.”

“But what if my heart’s broken? Because I really like Matt.Really. But today he asked me to go support him next weekend and watch his guys at some UFC fight thingy, and I don’t want to because it’s the same night as your party. That’s not normal.”

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