The First Taste (Slip of the Tongue #2) - Jessica Hawkins Page 0,41

be her own woman?”

I look toward Bell’s bedroom. I want nothing more than to go comfort her, tell her I’ll stay, change out of this stuffy suit. But Flora’s right. This isn’t healthy. She needs to learn how to be away from me. Not right away. Not for a long time, I hope. But we have to start somewhere.

I nod. “All right. I’ll go.”

“Good.” Flora looks way more relieved than I feel. “Let me know what you decide about staying overnight.”

I go into the living room, get my wallet and keys, and reluctantly head out the door before I change my mind.

TEN

Sadie’s definition of a bar is different from mine. When I meet my friends for a drink, it normally means beer and a game of pool at Timber Tavern. Tonight, I step into a place with a French name I can’t pronounce. The countertops are black-lacquered with white subway tile. The cocktails cost more than most of my meals. For once, I’m glad to be wearing a suit.

Sadie waves at me from the bar. I make my way through the light crowd and stop cold when I spot Nathan next to her. “I thought you had to work,” I say from a few feet back. I know when I’m being lured into a trap.

“He was able to get off last minute,” Sadie says, waving a hand. “How great is that?”

“Not great,” I say slowly, crossing my arms. Nathan keeps his eyes on the ground. “Why’d you make me come all the way here if you don’t need me?”

“Because it actually worked out perfectly. My new colleague—Mindy, remember?—her date fell through, and since you were already on your way, I figured you could take his dinner.”

I glare at Sadie. I should’ve guessed this was a set up. Sadie’s never invited me to one of her events before. “No.”

“Yes.”

“You tricked me.”

“No,” Sadie says. “It just happened to work out.”

“Come on, Sadie, I’m not an idiot.” Nathan busies himself inspecting the ceiling, the bastard. “Do you guys have any idea what it was like for me to get here tonight? Bell nearly took me down.”

“I figured,” Sadie says. “She had a meltdown on the subway when we left you Friday night.”

I run a hand through my hair. “Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to worry you.” She shrugs. “I took care of it, Andrew. It’s normal for her to have some separation anxiety given the way Shana left, but at some point, you have to stop indulging that behavior.”

“You’re going to start with me too?” I ask. “I’m her only parent. Everything I do is for her.”

“We know,” Nathan says, coming over to rest a hand on my shoulder. “Nobody’s denying that. But Bell’s getting to an age where—”

“Dude,” I say, turning to him. “You’re supposed to be my bro. A heads up about this would’ve been nice.”

Nate rolls his lips together and removes his hand to scratch the back of his neck. “I am,” he says. “Which is why drinks are on me. What can I get you?”

“Whisky, neat. And I want top-shelf.”

“Of course,” Nathan says, smiling a little too hard. He leans in and talks to me through his teeth. “Don’t resist. She’s just hit month five, and she’s getting unpredictable.”

Sadie looks up. “What was that?”

“Nothing,” we say at the same time.

Nathan and I exchange a glance before he turns away to wave down the bartender.

I nod at Sadie’s half-finished drink. “That better be water,” I say.

“It’s vodka, obviously,” she says. “I’m not that far along.”

“Very funny.”

She perks up and waves across the bar. “There’s Mindy.”

“This isn’t a date,” I say to Sadie as a pretty brunette makes her way toward us.

“No, of course not,” Sadie says. “Just a free meal.”

“And drinks,” I add. “Plural.”

Mindy’s smile stretches ear to ear, and her teeth are as white as her tight, long-sleeved dress. “Hi,” she chirps, looking between Sadie and me.

She and Sadie hug, and the short dress rides up her thighs. Her tan is incredible, as if she’s just returned from a month in the Bahamas. Her brown hair curls around her shoulders, bouncing when she and Sadie separate. I doubt she’s even twenty-five, and even though that’s not far from Amelia’s early thirties, they seem miles apart. I hold out my hand. “Andrew. Nice to meet you.”

She looks to Sadie, tentatively taking my hand. “Hi . . .”

“Andrew, you’ve met,” Sadie says in a tone she uses when she’s embarrassed. “At my office, remember? She brought you