Page 57 of Can't Get Over You
“She just found out she’s gone viral,” the bartender said before ducking under Jude’s arms to grab glasses.
“Don’t look at the comments,” he said. “Social media trolls get off on stirring shit up.”
Someone called his name from the other end of the bar. A scuffle had broken out, and Jude was called into the action. He gave a chin nod to her table. “Who’s the designated driver?”
“Well, it was supposed to be Eloise.” Her friend and wedding photographer had a baby at home, so she’d volunteered, but she’d had a few drinks and definitely wasn’t safe to get behind the wheel.
“Let me know when you’re ready to leave.” He gave her that intense eye contact that made her bones vibrate. “I’ll see you, though. I always do.” He hurried off, placed both hands on the pass-through, and leaped over it.
The agility in his hard body and his absolute confidence made her swoon. Everything about him?—
“Don’t go there,” the bartender said, a hint of warning in her tone. “Anyone but him.”
“Oh, I’m not…” Finlay’s thoughts scrambled. “I knew him in high school. I…”
“Yeah, I get it. He’s hot. But trust me, you can’t tie that one down.” The woman held up a ticket. “Go back to your table. I’ll get these to you in a minute.”
“Thanks.” Well, that was mortifying. On her walk of shame, she moved awkwardly, like she hadn’t yet figured out how to use her legs. Her stupid feelings were so obvious that a stranger could read them.You can’t tie that one down.
Yeah, believe me. I know.
But when she got to her table, she saw Eloise and Ava had returned, so she pasted on a smile and sat down. “Drinks are on the way.” She reached for her glass and tipped it over to swallow the dregs. “What did I miss?”
“Willa’s dating a finance bro,” Eloise said.
Ugh. She’d been so preoccupied with her own problems that she hadn’t caught up with her friend. “Willaonlydates finance bros.” Finlay shot her a look. “She’s got issues.”
“Okay, but are they faithful?” Ava asked. “That’s what I want to know. They have a reputation.”
“Everyone deserves a fresh chance.” Willa laughed. “Or so I keep telling myself. New York City is like a smorgasbord of single, gorgeous people. No one’s looking to settle down. And who has time for a relationship? I’ll be choosier once I make partner.”
“Here you go, ladies.” The server held a tray of drinks. They all leaned back as she set a sugar-rimmed pink martini glass in front of each woman.
“Oh, yum. Thank you.” Lifting it, Finlay said, “To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings,” her friends said, and they all clinked glasses.
“You guys.” Eloise looked tortured. “I have a confession to make.”
Chapter Ten
“We’re listening,”Finlay said.
Willa made a circling motion with her finger. “You’re in the vault.”
Eloise nodded. “I went on a date. Is that bad? Am I awful?” She’d lost her husband in a fire a year ago. She was now raising their baby as a single mom.
Just like that, all of Finlay’s troubles blew away. They were trivial in comparison. “No, honey. Not at all.”
“I loved my husband, you know?”
Willa set her hand over Eloise’s. “Of course, you did.”
“But I’m so angry.” Tears glittered in Eloise’s eyes. “I begged him not to join the hotshot team, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“People can be so stubborn,” Ava said.
“Why did he always have to do what Boone did?” Eloise’s husband was the youngest McKenna’s best friend. “I just don’t get it. What’s so special about the McKennas?”
