Page 44 of Until Tomorrow Comes
But for the first time in a long time, I feelcalm.
The four of us move to a high-top table close by, giving me a chance to get to know Thea’s friends a bit. At the bar, Jackson talks with the bartender about the hockey game that’s on the TV, checking on me over his shoulder every few minutes.
Each time we make eye contact, my heart skips a beat. At this point, I’m almost wondering if I should go to the doctor to check if I’ve developed some sort of heart condition.
“I can’t believe you’re moving to Florida, Stels.” Addison exclaims, watching Stella over the rim of her beer glass just as Jackson and the bartender let out a loud holler. Everyone turns to watch the recap of number seventeen scoring a goal for the Bobcats.
Thea and Addison immediately face Stella, who is staring at her drink with a pained expression. Addison reaches a hand out, gently squeezing her arm.
“Do you think you’ll run intohim?” Addison asks softly. My brows furrow but I stay silent. Stella shakes her head.
“There’s no reason I would. The job Eva helped me get is basically a “hire-a-date” service andhehas no shortage of women.” Stella clenches her jaw and shakes her head. “Tampa is a huge city, the likelihood of us bumping into each other is slim.”
Addison looks like she’s about to protest, but Thea subtly shakes her head and cuts her off.
“I still can’t believe you’re about to get paid to go on dates,” Thea says playfully, if not a little jealous, just as I’m taking a sip of my drink.
“What?” I practically choke out as the alcohol goes down wrong. My eyes dart between Thea and Stella, endless questions running through my head. From the corner of my eye, I don’t miss Jackson turning to check on me. I wave him off while Stella pats my shoulder with a laugh.
“To answer your question, Kat, yes you heard that right. I’m about to start a new job as a date for hire.” She shoots a smirk toward the other women. “You should’ve heard Nana.”
They all laugh, but I still have so many questions. Not wanting to overstep, I keep them to myself and make a note to ask Thea later.
Over the next hour, the bar fills up with more locals. It doesn’t get overcrowded, but it’s enough people to make me grateful for the alcohol fighting my nerves away. Since Jackson gave up his seat, he now leans with his back against the bar. While he appears relaxed as he talks to the older guy next to him, I don’t miss the way he watches us.
When we catch each other’s eyes next, his gaze drops to my now empty glass and he cocks his head to the side with a raised eyebrow. I purse my lips, debating if I should have another drink while Thea and Stella make their way to the dance floor, leaving me with Addison.
“So, is lumbersnack over there as good in bed as he looks?”
My eyes bulge out of my head and I whip my head toward Addison.
“I’m not…” I shake my head, trying to form an actual sentence. “We haven’t…”
She shoots me a look that screams, “coulda fooled me.”
“Well then, I’m gonna need you to report back when the tension finally snaps,” she giggles.
Before I can respond, she pushes herself away from the table.
“Come on, I think we both need at least one more shot before going out there with them,” she loops her arm in mine and pulls me with her to the bar. “Tequila or whiskey?”
Addison stops, placing me between her and Jackson as she orders our shots.
“How ya holding up, Kitten?” Jackson questions, earning a half-hearted glare in response to the literal pet name. Turning his entire body toward me and leaning his side on the bar, he smirks down at me. Despite my best efforts to keep a straight face, I end up laughing along.
Ignoring his question, I smile up at him.
“Addison and I are gonna do shots of liquid courage.”
“Maybe two shots,” Addison mumbles next to me.
“Not one for dancing?” I question, focusing back on her.
“I like the endorphins released from dancing. However, I am a self-conscious over-thinker.” She grabs the shots before the bartender has even finished setting them down and hands one to me. “Cheers to silencing the voice in our heads and enjoying the night.”
I clink my glass to hers, glancing back to Jackson only to find him staring at me and freeze with the shot only an inch from my mouth.
16
