a brief smile and turns to his friend. I feel defeated and my attempts at flirting haven’t even started yet.
I look back at Mia who flashes me a smile and waves her hand in an encouraging fashion. I set the beers on the bar and lift my hand to get the bartender’s attention. When I see the bartender, all of my nerves and thoughts of flirting disappear.
Chapter Two
“Pete!” I exclaim with excitement at seeing my absolute favorite bartender, bar owner and former boss. Why he named his bar Jack’s Bar instead of Pete’s is a mystery he has never explained. My mouth opens into a wide grin and all nervousness about hitting on the hot guys next to me fades instantly. Pete is more than a boss. He’s a friend – and one I’ve ignored for a long time – but it truly is so good to see him.
His mouth drops open when he turns. His eyes widen and I smile even bigger, as he blinks his eyes once, then twice, slowly, as if wondering I’m real or not.
I nod, answering his silent questions.
“Nicole! Long time no see baby girl!” Before I know it, his thick arms are on my hands, pulling me up and almost halfway over the bar and he’s got me wrapped up in the largest, and most uncomfortable bear hug of my life. The edge of the bar digs into my hips and all I want to do is make sure my skirt hasn’t ridden up any higher on my legs.
He hugs and rocks me back and forth and I realize I have tears in my eyes by the time he’s done with me. I’ve missed him.
His gaze lowers and his eyes flicker around us, as if he’s checking to see if anyone is paying attention – or needs him. He puts a hand on mine and holds it firmly, his eyes not letting me look away. “How have you been?”
I wipe away the one tear that escapes with a sad smile on my face. “I’m okay….it’s been tough. But, I think I’m getting better.” I wave my hand in the air, gesturing to the bar. “It feels really good to be back here.”
He nods solemnly. “It should. It’s your home, Nic.” A customer down at the end of the bar calls his name and he starts to walk away, but doesn’t look away from me. “And don’t you ever forget it. You hear me?”
“So I take it you come here often?” I turn to my left to see the tall blonde guy smiling at me in a disarmingly friendly way. It doesn’t feel like he’s hitting on me, but how would I know? I don’t think I’ve ever actually been hit on in a bar before. I always had Mark.
I smile politely, knowing that Mia is watching every second of this interaction and I resist the urge to look back at her.
“I used to work here in college. A long time ago.” I say and take in the stranger more closely. He’s tall, really tall, and thin – but muscular at the same time. His hair though, makes him seem a bit out of place. His long blond hair makes him look like he’d be more at home on a surfboard on the Californian coast; certainly not in a grungy bar in the Midwest.
He nods like it’s an acceptable answer. And I stand there, awkwardly because I’m not sure what else I’m supposed to say.
I offer my hand to him and he shakes it, “I’m Nicole.”
“Jake. And this is my friend, Zack.”
I turn my eyes and bite back a gasp at the guy with the baseball cap, now named Zack. He has the lightest green I’ve ever seen. They’re so light, they look almost completely clear. It’s mesmerizing and I’m so shocked I can be affected by just the color of his eyes, it takes me a second to remember why I’m standing here in front of him.
Zack smiles lazily and gives me a small nod. “Nice to meet you.”
I want to take my eyes off of him, but I can’t. It doesn’t sound like it’s nice to meet me at all. He sounds a little bit wary that I’m talking to them and I watch his eyes roam slowly around the bar, like he doesn’t want to be caught talking to me at all. I frown as I remember that these are the guys in the corner and probably want to be left alone.