Page 55 of Once Bitten
“Relax.” Jordyn leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Go on. Jamie and I will be just fine. No one is going to drag me off caveman style while you’re at the bar.”
Steve gave a grunt that told her how wrong he thought she was, but after another quick kiss, he turned and disappeared into the bustle of the crowd.
“You know, it’s funny to see him all jealous and worked up.” Jamie grinned as he racked the balls. “He’s never like this.”
Jordyn wandered over the array of pool sticks hanging on the wall and grabbed one at random. “Oh?” she asked, frowning at the too-heavy cue. “What do you mean?”
“Steve doesn’t usually care one way or another about wandering eyes,” Jamie told her, replacing the stick in Jordyn's hand with a lighter one.
“That’s probably because he’s used to everyone looking at him,” Jordyn joked, giving the new pool stick an approving look.
“That’s actually very true. He’s a very pretty man,” Jamie laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. “If we’re going to play on teams, then we’ll need a fourth…” He said glancing around the bar.
Jordyn frowned. “I should have called Dora.”
“Who’s that?” Jamie asked. He was still looking around the bar for a suitable fourth member for their game.
“My best friend. You’ll have to meet her sometime.” Jordyn made a mental note to reach out to Dora for any group activities. She'd seen less of her friend than she liked, and apart from their frequent texting, they hadn't gotten to spend much time together since Jordyn and Steve began dating. When Jordyn had talked to her about it over lunch a few days before, Dora had rolled her eyes. "Oh the honeymoon phase. Have all the sex for me, okay? I'll be here when you come up for air, no biggie."
It still bothered Jordyn, though, and she smiled, seeing the interested look on Jamie's face at the mention of Dora.
Jamie nodded, thoughtfully. “She anything like you?”
“We’re practically sisters, so I think it’s safe to say yes.”
“Well, now you’ve got my attention.” Jamie leaned against the pool table, spinning the pool stick around in his hands. “So when am I taking Dora out then?”
“Whoa!” Jordyn held out a hand. “How about you meet her before you start trying to date her?”
Jamie waved a hand. “Taking it slow is for the birds, sweetheart.”
“Now I can see why you and Steve are best friends.”
“Eh, we just know that when something good comes along, you grab it with both hands and don’t let go. Life is too short for anything less.”
Jordyn blinked at Jamie’s serious tone. She opened her mouth to ask about it, but Steve reappeared just then, beers in hand. “We need a fourth,” he said and handed a bottle to Jamie.
“I was just telling Jordyn that. Was trying to see if anyone we knew was around. I think I saw Ian just a second ago,” Jamie replied, taking a sip of his beer. “Yeah, there he is,” he said, waving an arm over his head.
“Who’s Ian?” Jordyn asked, leaning against Steve and taking the beer he offered to her.
“One of the guys we usually run into while we’re out. He’s all right,” Steve said, turning to pull down a stick from the rack on the wall. He reached out and tested the stick Jordyn held and nodded approvingly. “That’s a good one for you, doll. Good pick.”
“I can’t take credit. Jamie picked it out.” Jordyn smiled, looking over to Jamie, who was talking to a sandy-haired man. He was as tall as Steve but lean where Steve was broad, with the telltale lines of ink on his arms. When he saw her looking at him, Ian grinned and winked, letting his eyes move slowly up her body. Jordyn took a hasty drink of her beer and turned back around, but Steve had already seen.
“Hey, man! Long time no see,” Ian greeted Steve, reaching out and clapping hands with him before shifting his attention to Jordyn with another appreciative look. “And who’s this?” he asked, but winced at the pressure Steve had applied to the handshake the two men were still currently in.
“Her name is Jordyn, and she’s with me,” Steve replied.
“Well, we all know how long that lasts,” Ian joked, and nodded to Jordyn. “I’m Ian, sweetheart. Where’ve you been hiding?”
“I don’t usually play pool,” Jordyn said, trying to keep her tone light. “This is my first time, actually. Um, Steve’s showing me how to play. Sorry if it’s a slow game because of that.”
“No need to apologize to me, darling. You take your time, and I’ll even lend you my teaching services if Steve here gets distracted.” Ian reached out and touched her arm, but his fingers had only barely brushed her skin before Steve came up behind her, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her out of Ian’s reach.
“When I said she’s with me, I mean she’s my girl. And that makes teaching her pool a one-man operation, Ian.” There was a warning tone in Steve’s voice that no one could miss, and Ian’s eyes widened slightly at it.
“Wait, like your girlfriend?” Ian gaped in shock.
