Wicked Destiny - By Tiffany Stevens Page 0,8

do to ensure that you don’t get attached. I’ve watched you for years and never have I actually seen you serious with anyone. I think our flirting is the longest relationship you have ever had, and frankly, I’m a little worried.” Wow, was he really playing the adult here? “Have you ever thought that we could be great together?” There it was. That awkward silent moment when you didn’t have anything to say or just couldn’t. “I don’t expect an answer or a reply. I’m just telling you to think about it. I totally get you and will probably be the only one that does. You deserve to be happy.” With that, he was gone.

What was wrong with me? I knew his advance would only last as long as the first group of girls appeared into the club, and he would forget all about it until it was time to go home. But what if I did give him a chance? Jared was right; he did get me. He never knew about Declan, but I was sure it wasn’t rocket science. He could tell I was broken and scared. I watched him walk into his office and, just before he shut his office door, he looked at me and gave me a smile. Reluctantly, I smiled back. Thinking about Jared, I not only busied myself by stocking my station, but Shay’s as well. She was probably outside making excuses for me and my outburst, too. I didn’t need her to do that for me. If he was confused about anything I’d said, he could have easily come in and asked me himself.

I hated Shay being mad at me, though, and she was the only family that I had left. I’d make sure I apologized and was there for her no matter what. Even when he left her. I heard footsteps and looked up to see Shay walking in and looking straight ahead. She was mad, but I also knew that it wouldn’t be long before she forgave me.

After Shay put her stuff away in the closet, she took a long look at her station and glanced over at me. “Thanks for stocking my station.”

“No problem.” It was too soon to say sorry, but I just blurted it out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to crash all your plans. I just want to make sure you know what you are doing.”

“I’m not stupid, Sloane. I know he has certain issues and things he has to work on about himself, but at this moment he’s what I want. You know what that means.” She looked at me with her blue eyes and smiled. “I always get what I want.” We both just started laughing.

The club was starting to open. The other bartenders were showing up and the bar backs were stocking all the ice and alcohol for us. Looking up, I noticed how perfectly everything seemed to be coming together. Everyone who worked here knew their job; no one had to be told what to do. As soon as the employees got here, they went right to work. I wondered if it would ever change, but knowing if it did, it’d be Jared that would deal with it. I couldn’t help but sit back and notice everything I had. I was a business owner that had a great crew, three lofts, land and houses, and I had my best friend at my side.

I glanced at Shay and somehow I still envied her. She was living her life, and even though it pained me, I knew one day she would have to live with her own family. I sighed and glanced down, pretending I was wiping the glass for the tenth time.

“What’s wrong, Sloane?” I heard her gasp.

“I was just thinking what will happen a couple years from now. I mean, I know we can’t go on like this forever. I guess what I mean is that when we are done having fun, what else is there?” Gazing at her, I fought off all tears.

“OK, first off, you need to take a couple of breaths, because your eyes are changing. And second, we will figure it out. It doesn’t have to be decided right now. We will work it out later.” She smiled as she helped fan my eyes.

“Are they back?” I asked.

Shay smiled and nodded.

The eye thing was something that started when I was eighteen. I’d always had hazel eyes with gold flakes, but they seemed to change color with my emotions.