Page 109 of Game Changer
I take the elevator up to the roof of the building to get to Aster.I’m the first one there, so I let the hostess seat me outside at the table for four.I’ve never been here, and it’s gorgeous—I’m at a table with a couch and two chairs loaded with cushions.A huge lamp sits next to us for when it gets dark.Chicago architecture towers all around us, the views unobstructed by glass walls.Big tubs hold plenty of colorful flowers.
I study the cocktail menu while I wait for my friends.They have drinks that come as a single glass or in a decanter, so I go crazy and order a decanter of a wild concoction of tequila and things I’ve never heard of.And grapefruit.I hope it’s good.
Grace arrives and I jump up to greet her with hugs, then repeat the process when Brielle shows up.The waiter brings us the pitcher of cocktails and the girls are all impressed as immediately drinks are poured for them.
“So, how did it go?”Grace give me big curious eyes.
“With Steve?”
“No, with the mailman.”She rolls her eyes.
I laugh.“It went okay.He’s calmed down.”
“Pfffft.Like he had a right to be angry.”Grace tosses her mass of spirally black hair.
“I suppose.I feel a little guilty for handling it the way I did.”
“You should not,” Brielle says firmly.“You were betrayed.You can handle it however you want.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t take a baseball bat to his Jag,” Grace says.
“Ha ha!You could’ve sold his Jag on eBay!”Brielle says.“That would have been hilarious!”
“Or replace his shampoo with Nair,” Grace adds.
“These are amazing ideas,” I say calmly, taking a sip of my drink.“Is it too late for them?”
“No!”
“I’m kidding.”I smile.“I don’t even care anymore.”
“Really?”Grace studies my face.“You’re okay?”
“I really am.”One corner of my mouth kicks up.“About Steve, anyway.”
“Oh no.”Grace pouts.“Are you still missing Jax?”
I sigh.“Yeah.Seeing Steve weirdly just made me miss him even more.”
Sympathetic silence falls over us for a few minutes.Then Brielle says, “Have you talked to him?”
“Jax?No.”
“Maybe you should.”
I shake my head.“We agreed things would end when we came back to Chicago.He doesn’t do relationships.”I smile glumly.“And neither do I, anymore.”
“Well, I think you should start dating,” Brielle says.“Get yourself back out there.”
“Ugh.”
“Download those dating apps again,” Brielle says.
“I thought I was done with those,” I say with a sigh.
“Come on.Let’s get Tinder on your phone.Hand it over.”
“I can do it.”
