Page 53 of Deny Me

Twenty-Two

The following Saturdaywas my birthday, and Lu had talked Jameson into having a get-together that night at King’s. I fought it, but she said we needed to celebrate my last birthday in my twenties. I had to admit that I was excited about the idea. I loved parties, and I loved my birthday. I was a shameless attention-whore when it came to my birthday.

My mom flew in late the previous night and then met me and Lu for a quick lunch on Saturday to catch up. My mom loved Lu. Said she was a strong woman with a future full of success. When Lu showed off her wedding ring and bragged about Jack, my mom eyed her with skepticism and gave her the same warning she gave me. “Be careful with love, dear. It will crush you whole.”

Luella, used to the spiel, gave a polite smile and thanked her for the advice. God, she was the perfect friend. I would miss her fiercely if I left for Italy.

After lunch, my mom went to settle into her hotel and said she would meet me at King’s later. She was around people all the time for business, so when the opportunity for privacy presented itself, she usually took it. I offered to let her stay at my apartment, but said she would enjoy the space to relax. Apparently, the hotel had a spa she was hoping to use. She mentioned us getting facials and pedicures tomorrow for my birthday. Lu said we could push the lunch back to a dinner so I didn’t have to miss our weekly gatherings.

Lu and Jack picked me up to take me to the bar so I could drink without worrying about driving. Poor Jack would be carrying our drunk asses out later that night, but it had been too long since Lu and I had tied one on.

“Bartender! Más alcohol, por favor!” I shouted, leaning over the bar.

“What can I get the sexiest woman in the bar?” Jameson asked, letting his eyes fall to where my breasts spilled out of my low-cut halter top.

“Will you let me take a body shot off your rippling abs?”

Placing his elbow on the bar, he leaned into me. “Not here. Maybe later at home.”

“Hmmmm….” I put my finger to my lips and squinted my eyes in thought.

“What about a blow job?” he suggested.

“Not here. Maybe later at home.” I repeated his words. “Or maybe when you come out from behind that bar. I can meet you in the back. I know the owner, he won’t mind.”

He shook his head at my lewd suggestion, but not before I saw a spark of interest in his dark eyes. “I’ll be out from back here in a bit. One of my bartenders had car issues and I need to cover until he gets here.”

“I know,” I sighed dramatically. “I’ll be waiting for you, Jamie-Boy. But until then, I’ll just take a water. It’s still early, and I don’t want to be completely trashed when my mom comes in.” But part of me was wanting to be drunk when she got here. I had made the decision to not tell my mom about Jameson because I was a chicken shit. She was a smart woman and it wouldn’t have taken her much to figure out a link between Jameson and my putting off accepting the internship. She had always looked at me with pride and I didn’t want to see the disappointment when she made the connection.

“Good choice.” He winked and moved to get my water. When he brought it over, he was looking over my shoulder. “My bartender is here. Finally. You want to go dance once you’re done with your drink?”

“Jamie-Boy is going to dance with me?” I asked excitedly, clapping my hands together.

“Only for you. And only because it’s your birthday.”

“I’m the luckiest girl in the whole world.” I downed my whole glass then crooked my finger at him to come follow me.

The songs blurred together and I did my best to imitate sex while dancing with him. As my lips were glued to Jameson’s, someone tapped on my shoulder. When I turned, I found a cringing Luella motioning to the bar. “Your mom’s here and she’s looking for you.”

Looking through the crowd, I saw my mom perched on a stool with a glass of wine in front of her. I wasn’t surprised to see a guy move over to talk to her only to have her shake her head at his offer. My mom was a knockout sitting there in jeans and a t-shirt, her long black hair flowing down her back. Men flocked to her but were always shut down. I knew my mom saw other men, but she never did around me. She was always discreet. I appreciated that growing up, not having to deal with men coming in and out of our lives. Not that she ever kept anyone for long. I learned to avoid relationships from the queen of anti-relationships.

“Mommy!” I shouted, throwing my arms around her shoulders. My mom laughed and hugged me back.

“Happy birthday, baby.” She patted my back and looked around at the surrounding crowd. “Hello, Luella.” She looked at Lu’s arm wrapped around Jack and smiled. Something flicked across her eyes as she took them in. It looked like sadness, but I’d already had too much to drink and was probably seeing things. “Is this your husband?”

“Hey Mrs. V. And yes, this is my husband, Jack.”

He reached his hand out and gave her his most charming smile. “Nice to meet you. You have one hell of a daughter there.”

Nodding my head and batting my eyes, I told my mom, “He loves me.”

“Yeah, he totally loves all the shit you give him,” Lu joked.

“Luella, are you the one responsible for this birthday party?” my mom asked.

“That would be me,” Jameson spoke up, stepping out from behind me, reaching his hand out to my mother. “Jameson King. I think we’ve met before briefly.”

“Yes. It’s been a few years. You’re Luella’s brother, correct?” My mother shook his hand and smiled warmly. “How sweet of you to take care of Evelyn like this.”

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