Page 78 of The Switch: A Friends To Lovers Romance

He drove to the bar he knew first and crashed through the doors. Smoke hung heavy in the air. Coupled with the dimness of the room, it was hard to see anything.

Tables were filled with patrons drinking and chatting. Pulsing music blared from a band on the podium. He swept his gaze through the crowd, but didn’t see Michelle anywhere.

He headed deeper into the bar and studied every woman draped against the counter. Finally, he spotted her at the very end of the bar. She had changed out of her uniform and now wore a red dress and spiky heels.

“Michelle!” he yelled into her ear.

She jumped around and a sloppy smile flew to her lips. “Luke, you’re here.”

“Michelle,” he eyed the glass in front of her, “how much did you drink?”

“Enough.”

He tried to haul her arm. “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

“I don’t think so.” Michelle yanked her hand out of his grip. “You came.”

“Did you get drunk just to get my attention?”

“No…” she slurred. Then giggled. “Yes.”

Luke sighed and checked his watch. “I have something to do tonight. Please, Michelle. Let’s go.”

“No.” She pouted. “You played me for weeks and then showed up today just to leave me again. Sit.” She patted the barstool. “Have a drink and then I’ll leave.” When he still hesitated, Michelle added. “That’s the least you can do.”

“You have five minutes,” Luke said, taking a seat.

“Ten.”

He chose not to argue with her and gestured to the bartender. Luke ordered a root beer since he planned on driving home tonight and nodded when the bartender slid the mug in front of him.

Michelle leaned over. The scent of alcohol on her skin was overwhelming. “I wanted to try it just once.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Being cared for by you the way you cared for Ashanti that night. You were so gentle,” Michelle said, closing her eyes. “So tender. I was so jealous.” She licked her lips. “I think I knew then. You were always hers.”

Luke didn’t know what to say so he only nodded to her drink. “Finish that and then we’ll leave.”

She flounced on her seat. Her hair flew behind her as she whipped her head. “We’ll leave when I’m ready.”

Luke glanced at the clock on his phone’s screen. He couldn’t be late tonight. Not when Ashanti was waiting for him.

“Drink up, Luke!” Michelle cheered and raised her glass, knocking it back in one shot.

He had to find a way to get Michelle out of this bar. And fast.

The clock was ticking.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ashanti carefully brushed powder over the bruise on her face. Like magic, the discoloration faded until it was all dark brown skin. She smacked her lips to smear her gloss more evenly and smiled.

Luke’s voice filtered through her head. “I like you more.”

Her heart thumped at the memory. It wasn’t exactly a love confession that would rock the world, but it was true to them. And she loved that it was Luke who confessed first.

Ashanti had been determined to preserve their friendship at all costs. Luke was the type of guy who slowly but surely backed away from anything that made him uncomfortable. And unrequited love confessions made him very uncomfortable.

---