Page 125 of Touch Me

She lifts her one bare shoulder. “Flashdance or something like that. Can we agree that Cassie no longer gets to pick Halloween costumes?” She pulls at her sweatshirt and looks down at her feet. “I look like a hobo in heels.”

“Agreed.” Jace and I both laugh when we speak the words at the same time.

Jess slides over to Jace and gives him a quick side hug. “I don’t think you’re going to have a choice, big brother.”

He smiles as he turns to eye Cassie at the bar. “Small price to pay.”

“So things are going well?” Jess looks to Jace to hear his answer.

“I have a lot to make up for. But I’ll put in the work everyday, if she just graces me with her smile.”

“Well that’s my cue.” I down my drink in one gulp. “I need another drink.”

I walk to an empty spot at the bar. The dark haired priest behind the bar sidles up. “Hey, Blaze. What can I get you?”

I raise a brow. “Blaze?”

He points to my red hair. He then leans over the bar to try to get a look at my dress and my cheeks flame red hot.

“Wow, Blaze indeed.” He winks. “You blush all over, don’t you?”

“Cheese and Rice. Just get me whatever pink drink goes in this glass and keep your pants on.” A glance over my shoulder grants me a view of Cassie and Jace in a stare-off across the room, both with sex eyes. “Make it two.”

Flirty Priest walks away chuckling. I peruse the shelves behind the bar and see a bottle of Macallan 25 year Single Malt Scotch. I can smell the memories and my stomach drops.Six weeks. Six weeks and I won’t hear another word from them. I’m still not sure how I feel about that. I didn’t realize becoming a teacher would cause me to lose my family. That’s a lie. My parents said as much. They aren’t really going to cut me off though. I’m their only child. It’s empty threats, I’m used to that.

Shake it off.

That’s a pretty expensive bottle for a little dive bar. Well I guess it isn’t a dive bar, per se. I take my time looking around. Its clean dark woods are highlighted by the soft yellow lighting. I’m not really a sports fan, especially not anything to do with fighting, but the decor is unique. Some of it modern, some older. A few awards and belts hang high above the mirrors behind the bar. And the few times we’ve met here, the food was surprisingly good. Real Italian food I wouldn’t expect to get at a small place like this.

My drinks appear in front of me and while trying to avoid eye contact and the full body blush that’s sure to occur if Flirty Priest tries to talk to me again, I spot a help wanted flyer next to the register. “You guys are hiring?”

“You want an application?”

“An application? Can’t I apply online or something?”

“Unfortunately the owner is a little hesitant to update some things. Be right back.”

He comes back with an actual paper application. I fold it in fourths and stuff it down the front of my dress. His eyes follow the paper and he smirks.

“Make sure you come find me when you’re ready to fill that out.”

“Nice try,Father. Wouldn’t want you to abandon your faith for little ole me.”

He crosses himself and laughs. “These are on the house.”

I wink and walk away with both my drinks.

When I rejoin the group, Alex and Jen are there dressed in army fatigues with camo paint on their faces.

I scoff and stomp my foot. “No fair. How did you two get out of the bad ‘80s costumes?”

“Easy. We stopped answering our phones.” Alex and Jen high five and laugh.

I drain half of a glass of pink fruity alcohol. “Wouldn’t have worked for me. She knows where I live.”

“Why? You look sexy as fuck.” Alex walks over and kisses my forehead. He takes one of the pink drinks out of my hand and points to my cleavage. “Those are quite impressive.”

Ashley saunters back to the group with a smile on her face. “Did you guys see that priest?” She looks down at what seems to be a business card in her hand and giggles.

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