Page 5 of Spreading Her Wings

AUSTON

Who is this?

ME

Ha ha very funny

ME

I could just stay home tonight…

AUSTON

I’m just playing with you, kitten

AUSTON

Wear whatever you want

Feeling bold and equally annoyed with mydate, I snatched the faux leather pants that had been sitting in the back of the closet and waiting for a rainy day.Wear whatever you want.I jumped and wiggled into the tight, high-waisted pants and zipped them with a deep breath before pairing them with the flowy, low-cut black tank top that emphasized my cleavage and cut low on my back.

Satisfied with the look, I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and slipped on a pair of strappy black heels. The doorbell rang as I was putting my finishing touches on the dark-burgundy lipstick. I grabbed my favorite red peacoat, slipping it over my bare shoulders and back and buttoning it to protect against the cold nighttime Michigan wind.

I was grabbing my purse from the hook when the doorbell rang a second time. “I’m coming! Geez!”

When I opened the door, Auston looked about as annoyed as I felt, but his face quickly relaxed. He looked more casual than I did, wearing a fitted, heather-gray sweater and dark-wash jeans. He smirked as he leaned against the doorframe and kicked one combat boot across the other.

I looked down at my leather pants and heels, remembering the revealing top I wore beneath my coat. “Oh shit… I’m overdressed, huh? Maybe I should go change.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, kitten. You look great,” he said with a reassuring smile and a wink. I gnawed at the inside of my bottom lip, but he didn’t give me time to argue. “Shall we?”

“On one condition.”

“What’s that?” He put his arm out, and I reluctantly wrapped mine around it.

“You stop calling me that.”

His laugh echoed in the quiet of my neighborhood. “We’ll see,” he said in a lowered voice.

We pulled up in front of a run-down bar, and Auston pulled through the parking lot to the back of the building. The lot was dark, with the only light coming from one in the corner of the lot and a security light by the door.I’m definitely overdressed.

“Where are we?”

He chuckled. “We’re at my bar.” My shock must have been obvious on my face. He laughed. “Well, notmybar. I manage it.”

I hoped I didn’t look as skeptical as I felt when I climbed out of the cab. He rounded the front and closed the door to the black Ram truck behind me. Sudden nerves flooded me.I don’t think I can do this.

“Auston, I don’t think I can…” I waved my hand between us.

His arm was tight when he wrapped it around my waist and took a step towards the bar. “Of course you can. Just be as annoyed with me as you usually are, and they’ll definitely believe you’re my girlfriend.”

I rolled my eyes but let him lead me through the metal door on the back of the building. It opened into a dark hallway. There was a door on the left that said “Manager” and an unmarked door on the right.

Auston moved his hand to mine, weaving our fingers together and gently pulling me behind him. We walked past a couple of bathrooms, and when we turned the corner, we were met with the hum of music and chatter.

The wood floors looked like they could be original to the building, and the walls were lined with exposed brick. Tall tables were spread around the room, each one covered with a light-blue tablecloth that was obviously not part of the everyday decor. On top of each one was a vase with flowers and a picture frame holding what I assumed was a picture of the couple.

“’Bout damn time!” The voice boomed behind us, and when two hands closed over Auston’s shoulders, I jumped.

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