One and Done - S. Briones Lim Page 0,44

you judge him?” Rocky sneered.

“Since when do you go for pretty boys like that? You never were into that type.” Please don’t tell me she grew up into one of those prissy girls I despise so much.

“I never had a type in high school! Besides, what would you know about me? If memory serves me correctly, which it does, you haven’t spoken to me since college. What do you even know about me anymore?”

I winced. She was right of course, but I couldn’t let her stay mad at me. Figuring a joke might placate the situation, I shot back, “I know you grew about two cup sizes since I last saw you.”

“Stop being such a jerk. You know what I mean!”

Okay, maybe that was the wrong route. Then again, I couldn’t help myself! Standing face to face, it was really hard not to eye her rack at least once. Though Rocky was still pretty petite, she had curves in all the right places. Gawking was definitely the only option that I had.

My eyes lifted, catching the unamused twist of Rocky’s lips. A slight dimple shone in her left cheek, but I knew it wasn’t from smiling. Recalling Stephanie’s visit, I knew I had to face the music and sighed. “I know things were left a bit odd between us. I also know you won’t believe me, but I have a perfectly good excuse why.”

“Try me.”

“Jesse to the stockroom. Jesse to the stockroom.”

I bit back a groan. Of course Mr. Rossi would choose that moment to call me back to The Dungeon. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a hidden camera or some listening device and was busy eavesdropping on us this whole time.

Pouting slightly at my dumb luck, I said quietly, “I really did miss you. I know you don’t believe me, but I really do want to make it up to you.”

“How?” The look of doubt on her face broke my heart, and for once I thought I was a bigger douche than Ethan was.

Prove yourself.

“Do you want to get something to eat tonight? Around eight?” Shit. I felt like an awkward thirteen-year-old all over again.

She’s gonna say no.

“Sure,” she replied without skipping a beat.

I turned away before she could see the smile on my face, ignoring those pesky red flags flashing before my eyes.

Chapter 17

The smoke circled the ceiling of Harpoon’s, looking like an ominous monster from a cheesy ’80s horror movie. My lungs felt heavy and my mouth dry. I grabbed onto my throat and coughed, still in disbelief that not only had I grown up in a similar environment, but that I’d also shelled out a lot of money buying my own cancer sticks.

“Crap, I better text Rocky and tell her to meet me somewhere else.” I reached for my phone only to remember I didn’t have her number—I take that back—I did have one, but it was from five years ago. Deciding not to embarrass myself by texting a wrong number, I positioned myself by the door in hopes of intercepting her as soon as she walked in.

I felt her presence the moment she entered the bar. It was as if the room grew brighter, more ethereal, making the scuffed floors, stained walls, and ripped seats look like a palace. She wore red—ironically the last color I’d seen her in before I moved away. I couldn’t help but wonder whether it was an omen of some sort. Truthfully, I was too nervous to question whether it was a good one or a bad one.

Taking a moment to quiet my mind, I inhaled slowly, exhaling in one loud puff. Wiping my moist hands against my jeans, I called out, “Rocky! Over here!”

Rocky’s eyes lit up the moment she found me. Her shoulders visibly relaxed as she sauntered over to me. “Hey! Interesting place you chose here.”

I frowned, eyeing a drunk biker type stumble over his feet. “Yeah, didn’t think this through so much. Didn’t know this place still allowed smoking.”

“We can go somewhere else if you want.” A nearby jukebox drowned out her words. This really wasn’t going to work in more ways than one.

I nodded eagerly. “Yeah, let’s go. I’ll drive.”

I escorted Rocky out of the crowded bar only to be met by a brutal blast of cold air. North Carolina winters were killer, and definitely nothing I missed. I glanced down at Rocky and noticed that her nose had turned bright red and her eyes were on the verge of tears. Given