Page 59 of Don't Leave Me

“Hey!” Emily exclaimed, jumping off her chair and giving Adam a hug.

I was surprised at how excited she was to see him, seeing as she didn’t seem too interested in him the last time we were all together. Maybe it was just her playing hard to get.

Jack approached us and smiled at me with raised eyebrows, looking shy.

“Hello, Hana,” he greeted, his voice deep, leaning against the bar.

“Hey,” I smiled, inadvertently biting my lip; I was still very attracted to him, his hair was messy like he just got out of bed or something, and he was sporting a faint stubble of facial hair.

He leaned in a little closer to me. “How are you?”

I shrugged, buzzed off my white wine. “I’ve seen better days,” I laughed faintly. “How are you?”

He shrugged, smiling at me sweetly. “Same here,” he replied. “I was worried about you after that night at the Bowery,” he went on.

My mind wandered back to my panic attack, and to Michael. He came to my rescue just in time.

“Yeah, it happens sometimes. I’m fine,” I assured him.

He nodded, taking the beer that the bartender handed him. “I’m sorry again about that night, by the way. If you hadn’t noticed I’m…I overreact a bit sometimes. I’m a sensitive moron,” he laughed, self-deprecation clear in his voice.

I laughed and shook my head. “It’s fine. I’m sort of aninsensitivemoron,” I raised my eyebrows.

He took a sip of his beer and raised his eyebrows at me. “You’re not. You’re very sweet, Hana,” he said earnestly.

He was looking at me with his adorable dimples and his light blue eyes, his pouty lips just begging me to stare at them.No, don’t…don’t be impulsive and make out with him right now like you want to. Just be friendly and sweet and don’t lead him on.

“Where’s your boyfriend tonight?” he asked nonchalantly.

I could hear Emily laughing loudly on the other side of me, her and Adam chatting animatedly.

I shrugged, feeling a little sting in my chest. “I don’t know. We’re…going through some issues right now,” I admitted, quickly taking a sip of wine.

His eyes widened a little bit. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he responded, his tone now eager and interested.

I shrugged again, wanting to change the subject. “It’s fine, no big deal,” I replied, feeling my buzz as I stared at his lips again.

He smiled and leaned a little closer to me again. “Is it true that you wanted to see me? Or was that Adam fucking with me?” he asked with amusement, blatantly flirtatious.

I tried to hide the grin that immediately flashed on my face. Come on, Hana…don’t give in to this, to his beautiful lips and his intent gaze.

I felt playful. “What do you think?”

Okay, I’m flirting, but that’s all.I’m just buzzed and enjoying his company…

Jack flashed his dimples and chuckled to himself, looking down at my lips as he licked his bottom lip.

“I’m hoping that you actuallywantedto see me,” he raised his eyebrows, playing along.

I looked up at him through my eyelashes.Fuck it, I’m gonna do this – Iwannado this. I bit my lip, intentionally, and then leaned into him and placed my hand on his bicep.

“I did,” I nodded, my voice low.

I could see Jack gulp as he looked between my eyes and lips, licking his lip before he bit down on it, looking nervous.

“Easy there, sweetheart. Your touch is capable of doing many things to me,” he said playfully, giving me his dimpled, crooked smile.

I smiled shyly – I wasn’t expecting such a clever line from him, but honestly it had turned me on a little bit.

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