Page 64 of Once Bitten
“Thank you,” Tina said, not looking at him. She gazed out at the bar with a contemplative expression. “So, where are they?” she asked Dora. “We didn’t get our girl all dolled up for nothing.”
“Around here somewhere. Jamie texted me a few minutes ago,” Dora said, flipping her phone out of her bag. She took the offered drink from the bartender and gestured with it. “Oh! They’re over there.”
Jordyn followed her hand, and it felt like her breath had gotten knocked out of her because there was Steve. She would have known those broad leather-clad shoulders anywhere. Her stomach twisted when she saw that he was laughing, his hands up, gesturing wildly as he told a story to the group around him. A second later, he leaned forward and slapped a hand on the table he was sitting at, and the group exploded in laughter. One of the men at the table clapped Steve on the back and offered him a shot, which Steve knocked back with a grin and a wink before he launched into another story. Steve wasn’t just having fun. He was having a ball and all without her.
The ache in her chest returned, but this time it wasn’t just an ache. It was an encompassing stab to her heart that made it difficult for her to stay upright.
“I can’t do this,” Jordyn whispered, her resolve falling to shreds around her. She jerked around and grabbed the drink that sat in front of her. She took a deep gulp and tried not to cry at what she had just seen. Another round of laughter reached her ears, and she closed her eyes when she heard Steve’s familiar baritone mingled with the rest. Even in the loud club, with its cacophony of voices and thrumming music, it was impossible for her not to hear Steve now that she had zeroed in on him. His voice was the only thing shecouldhear. She wanted to melt into the floor after having seen how happy he was. He didn't need her to be happy.
Not like she needed him. She should have known.
“Come on,” Dora said, hopping up from her seat and moving to go to the group.
“Jordyn?” Tina asked, seeing that Jordyn was still hunched over at the bar, sucking down her drink as fast as she could. “Slow down?” Tina put a hand on Jordyn’s shoulder and gave her a concerned look.
“Um, these are just really, really good. Sorry,” Jordyn lied with a fake smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
“Well, let’s get you another one and let’s go on over,” Dora said, smiling and taking a step towards the group.
“Go on without me, okay? I just need a few minutes, you know?” Jordyn finished her drink and waved to the bartender for another.
“I dunno...” Dora bit her lip, but Tina stepped away and motioned for Dora to follow her.
“Give her a few. Look at him, he’s over there having a fucking party, and she’s been killing herself for a week,” Tina said, inclining her head to where Steve was still very much the center of attention.
Dora frowned, and looked back and forth between the group and Jordyn. “Maybe we should just leave? I don’t want her upset like this. What if tonight backfires?”
“No. No. Just give her time. She’ll come over when she’s ready,” Tina said firmly. “I know she will, and when she does, that dummy will fall to his knees and fix this.”
“All right, all right,” Dora sighed and slipped back up to where Jordyn was sitting. “Come on over when you’re ready, okay?” she said, giving Jordyn a gentle smile.
“Of course!” Jordyn said, not meeting Dora’s eyes, and gave her friend a little shove. “Go on and have fun, okay? I’ll be there soon. I’m just going to get another drink,” she assured her friends. When they left, she turned back to the bar and drained her cocktail as fast as she was able to. She was going to need at least three more of these before tonight was a good idea.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jamie jumpedup with an excited smile and a “wow” when he saw Dora. He instantly pulled her to his side before he started introducing her around to the group. Tina settled in next to the birthday boy, who was more than okay with the beautiful raven-haired woman who now sat beside him.
“Happy birthday!” Tina exclaimed, patting Rob on the arm and leaning into him.
“Happy fucking birthday indeed!” He laughed and turned to give Tina his full attention.
“I’m really glad you came out.” Jamie put a hand on Dora’s leg.
“So am I.” She smiled shyly up at him.
“You look gr—” Jamie started, but was cut off by Steve.
“Is Jordyn here?” he asked, standing up and looking around. “If you’re here that means she’s here too, right?”
“Um, at the bar,” Dora said, pointing to where Jordyn was still sitting.
“She’s here?” Jamie asked in surprise. He looked up at Steve’s face, which was now dead serious with all signs of his earlier smile gone.
“Of course she is,” Dora said, sounding unsure. She couldn’t tell if Steve’s focused expression was good or not; it was just, very, very intense. His eyes were narrowed, and his jaw clenched when he turned quickly, trying to find Jordyn in the crowd.
“Where?!” Steve nearly shouted, and everyone went silent at the table, looking at him before he tried again. “I—where is she?” he asked in a strained but calmer voice.
“There, um, in the red,” Dora said, pointing again, but this time Steve saw Jordyn, and his mouth fell open. There was so much of her on display, all that tan skin barely covered by the red fabric of her dress; and her dark hair was just spilling down her uncovered back. He wanted to run his hands through that hair, bury his face in it, and breathe in her familiar scent of vanilla. He wanted to hike that red skirt up around her waist and pull her against him. Steve swallowed hard and stared at her for a second before he saw the bartender line up two shots in front of her. Jordyn reached out and started knocking back the shots in quick succession.
