Page 43 of Most Likely to Fear Love

The women crowded around, their perfume mingling with the scent of beer and hot sauce. Cassidy shifted on her stool, her leg pressing harder against mine.

“Who’s your friend?” another woman, Nikki, who also worked at the cafe, asked. She was eyeing Cassidy with tipsy curiosity.

“This is Cassidy. Cass, this is Jen, that’s Nikki, and I’m sorry, but I don’t know anyone else.”

Jen took over the introductions while Cassidy smiled politely. I could feel her tension as the women’s gazes darted between us, clearly trying to figure out our relationship.

“Are you two on a date?” Jen asked, her words slightly slurred.

I froze, unsure how to answer. Cassidy and I exchanged a quick glance, panic flashing in her green eyes.

“Not a date date,” Cassidy clarified, her voice light. “Just friends hanging out.” She turned to Jen, smoothly changing the subject. “How about you guys? Looks like a big night out.”

Jen’s face lit up. “It’s my birthday!” she announced, swaying slightly. “We’re bar hopping.”

Cassidy raised her mug in toast. “Happy birthday to you!”

“Thank you!” Jen beamed, then focused on Cassidy more closely. “Hey, you should have a drink with us!”

“Oh no, that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“Come on, it’ll be fun!”

“Just one won’t kill you!” Nikki put in. “It’s for Jen’s birthday!”

They were acting like they’d known Cassidy for years and would be devastated if she said no.

“Pleeeease!”

Cassidy laughed. “You know what? Sure, why not?” She slid off her stool, steadying herself against the bar. “A birthday drink sounds perfect.”

Jen squealed in delight, linking arms with Cassidy as Nikki clapped her hands and the other girls cheered. “Awesome! Let’s do shots!”

As the group of women squeezed in the bar, Cassidy leaned closer to me. “I hope you don’t mind. She reminds me so much of Hannah, I couldn’t say no.”

“Hey, you’re here for a good time, to let loose. And I seriously doubt I could hold a candle to this lot, in that department.”

“Thank you.”

The smile she gave me had my heart squeezing so hard I could barely breathe.

“No problem.”

“Here you go, Cass! Tequila slammer for ya.”

I watched as Nikki lined up the shot glasses, her unsteady hand sloshing tequila onto the bar. Cassidy stood sandwiched between me and another girl, looking both amused and slightly overwhelmed.

Nikki raised her glass. “Alright, ladies! Three... two... one... GO!”

The women tipped their heads back in unison, downing the shots. Cassidy’s face scrunched up as she swallowed, making me chuckle. She caught my eye and grinned, shaking her head slightly.

“Woo!” Jen hollered, slamming her empty glass on the bar. “Another round!”

One of the other girls, I think her name was Amy, waved at the bartender. “Six more tequila shots, please!”

He obliged, lining up a fresh set of glasses. Cassidy leaned in close to me, her breath warm on my ear. “I haven’t done shots since college,” she whispered, giggling.

Before I could respond, Nikki was already counting down again. “Three... two... one... DRINK!”

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