“Where’ve you been? We haven’t heard from you since the bar on Friday,” Jessie asked.
“I laid low this weekend,” I told her, carefully putting the lie together in my head. “Went to visit my boyfriend on Saturday, and the rest of the time I pretty much spent at home.”
“Boyfriend, huh?” Jessie raised her eyebrows, her mood shifting as she curled her torso over the table. “I was sure you were going to end things to be with the panty-dropping Blake.”
“Now why would you think that?” I asked, trying to bide time while I found all of my pieces and stuck them back together.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because the two of you are so madly in love, you practically make babies just by looking at each other.”
“We are not in love. We hardly even know each other.” I shoved her arm and averted her attention away from me. “What about you? You and Rick looked awfully fond of each other. I saw you making goo-goo eyes at him.”
Jessie’s body deflated as she sank back into her chair. “I like him. A lot. But he always keeps me at arm’s length. Every time I think he feels the same way and he’s going to make a move, he pushes back and we have to start from square one. It’s so frustrating.” She grimaced. “He’s around so many hot girls. Maybe I’m just not pretty enough.” Lines formed across her forehead.
“Stop it. You’re gorgeous and you don’t even know it, which makes you even prettier. Besides, he likes you. I can tell. Maybe he’s just not ready for a relationship,” I tried to reassure her.
Jessie blinked. “I didn’t say I wanted to marry him. But the guy’s gotta date, right?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know him well enough yet. I’ll try to feel him out if I can, though. Promise.”
“Thanks. You’re the best.” Her smile returned, and I was thankful. I liked this Jessie better. The girl was too sweet to be upset.
Sandra cut in, “So where’d you learn how to sing like that?”
My spine stiffened as the attention shifted back in my direction. “My whole family is musical. I guess you could say it’s hereditary. I never really thought about it.” Growing up with a dad who played in a band, music was always just around. It was a staple in our household.
“You were seriously amazing,” Sandra praised. “I’ve never heard anyone sing like that. The way you belted those notes. You need to be famous.”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’m all right.”
“You’re a lot better than all right,” Sandra argued, dipping a fry in ketchup and stuffing it into her mouth. “You’re amazeballs. Blake seemed to think so, too,” she trilled in her sing-song voice.
At the sound of his name, my belly did a summersault. I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Thanks.”
Must. Change. Topic.
“So, Sandra, who’s the guy you met? You were gone before I got a chance to meet him.” I pulled my coffee in for another sip.
She instantly sprung to life, her whole demeanor changing as she gushed. “His name is Jeremy, and I think I’m in love. He’s a grad student, studying graphic design. You have to see his drawings. They’re incredible. And he’s so nice and sweet and hot!”
“Whoa, slow down.” I put my palms up, smiling. “You think you like him a little?”
Her face softened. “I do. I really do. He gives me the tingly wigglies.” She shivered.
We all laughed. “Sounds serious.”
“It is,” she sighed. “At least I hope it is. We’re meeting at the bar again tonight, so we’ll see.” Sandra checked her watch. “Crap, it’s late. We gotta go.”
We all jumped up, blowing kisses goodbye and running in different directions.
The sound of chairs scraping the wood floor as they were brought down from their resting place greeted me when I walked into work. As much as I needed the money, I was hoping for an easy night. I hadn’t been able to pull myself out of this funk all day.
Rick looked up, and a friendly smile spread across his face. “Well, hello there. I got a head start prepping stuff for you.”
“Great. Thanks.” I smiled back.
“Not a problem. So how’d you like your first real day? The chatter hasn’t stopped about the gorgeous new bartender.”
“Oh boy.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, it’ll keep the tips flowing nicely,” I joked.
“You’re right about that, darlin’. They all fell in love with you. And that voice . . . whew, girl. You’ve got some set of lungs on you.” His eyebrows lifted in appreciation. “I think I’m gonna have to make that a new requirement when you’re working. You had the place jacked up. We made a killing.” The excitement in his voice was palpable.
I twirled a long lock of hair between my fingers. “I don’t normally sing. That was my friends doing. He’s a pain in the ass, but I can’t say no to him. Usually I get all shaky and sweaty and dry mouthed.”
“Hog wash. You’re singing.”
“Hog wash?” I laughed.