Page 19 of Choose Me

I twist my lips into a rueful grin. “No alcohol for me. I might need to take meds.” As if on cue, the bartender sets my drink in front of me.

Jack smiles at him. “Put that on my tab, please.” When he turns back to me, he’s frowning. “Jules, I’m really sorry about this whole thing.” He waves his hand, encompassing the entire bar, but I know he also means tonight’s event. “I tried to talk Van out of it, but he was bound and determined that this was the way to go.”

And that’s what I’ve been afraid of. My future boss may seem like a nice guy, but he’s a know-it-all ableist who probably thinks he’s going to prove everyone wrong about me, or he’s determined to make an example of me. Fuck my life.

Either Jack picks up on my anxiety, or, more likely, he just knows me. “Don’t worry. I’ve been coaching him on your situation and how you and I make things work. He assures me he understands.” I immediately pick up on the word choice and know in my gut that it’s exactly how Van phrased it. He may ‘understand’, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to follow the current plan. “Unfortunately, you might have to deal with bumps in the road before it gets better.”

I nod and swirl the stir stick through my drink, ignoring how my hands shake. “Well, thanks for the warning, I suppose.”

He squeezes my arm. “I’ll do my best to keep tonight short so you can get out of here. You gonna be okay?”

“I’d appreciate that, and yeah. I’ll be fine.” My voice doesn’t hold much conviction and Jack must hear it.

“I thought your brother would come with you. Or Quinn.”

I shake my head. “Stef had clients tonight, and Quinn had another event.”

“Do you want me to stay with you? We can walk over to the group together.”

Damn, I’m going to miss him when he leaves. “Thanks, but I’m waiting for someone.”

Jack’s eyebrows creep toward his hairline. “Oh, yeah?”

Before I can respond, a muscular arm slips around my waist and a very large, very comforting body presses against my back. Without even thinking, I lean into Erik, resting my head against his chest and exhaling a shuddering breath. “You’re here.”

“Of course I am.” He leans down and kisses the top of my head, and my stomach does a little swoop. “Where else would I be?”

Jack’s eyebrows are now firmly in his hairline, but there’s a sparkle in his eyes. “Jack, this is Erik Osouf. Erik, this is my boss, Jack Winters.”

Erik holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m Jules’ date, Erik.” I blink and try not to show my surprise. Is this a date? And since when has Erik been so affectionate? Not that I’m complaining at all. I am most definitely not complaining. Note to the universe, this is absolutely fine with me. Erik can touch or kiss me wherever and whenever he wants.

Jack shakes Erik’s hand, and it’s difficult to tell who’s sporting the bigger grin. “It’s very nice to meet you, Erik.”

“Thanks. I feel like we’ve already met. Jules says so many nice things about working for you.” Erik drops Jack’s hand and gestures for the bartender. “Jack, do you need a drink?”

Jack turns to the bartender. “Glenfiddich, neat. And whatever this young man’s having. It goes on my tab.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Son, it’s one drink and I’m offering. Please, indulge me.” He winks at me. “Just be sure to drink responsibly.”

Erik nods. “Of course. And thank you.” He turns to the bartender. “I’ll have a Bodhizafa, thanks.” The bartender walks off, and Erik turns back to Jack. “I hear you’re retiring in a few weeks. Congratulations. That’s great.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna miss the job and everybody I work with, but it’s time. I have grandkids to play with, and my wife’s been patient with me on quite a few things. Her ‘honey do’ list is a mile long, and we want to travel and see this amazing country of ours.”

Erik nods like he and Jack have talked about this before and are old friends. It’s such a relief to have him carry the conversation, but sometimes I’m envious of how easy everyone makes it seem. “Someday maybe I’ll get Jules out there.” He turns to me with a sweet smile. “What do you think? We could buy an RV, pack up the dog, and drive across the country, seeing all the sites.”

The way he says it makes it seem like we’re a couple, and we own a dog, and have planned on vacationing together. Is it awful that I really love the idea? Because I do. Probably more than I should. “I think it sounds amazing. Traveling at our own pace, not having to fight crowds or stay in strange hotels. As far as I’m concerned, it sounds like the perfect vacation scenario. Especially if there’s a dog.”

Daydreaming about our imaginary vacation, I miss some of the conversation and quickly try to catch up.

“Well, I was a hiking and camping guide out in Arizona for the past several years, but now I’ve moved back to Seattle, and I’m investing in a company here. It’s pretty much the same work, but this time I’ll be part owner.”

Jack grins. “That’s fantastic. It’s always good for couples to have shared interests.” He’s acting more like a proud dad than a boss, and it makes me warm inside. I’m really going to miss him when he retires.

“Jules and I went for a hike on Sunday. It was beautiful. I’d forgotten how lovely Seattle forests are.”

We’re interrupted as the bartender brings their drinks, and Jack offers a toast. “To new adventures.” We all raise our glasses and drink. “Well, it was very nice to meet you, Erik. I’d love to stay and talk, but I need to make the rounds and say hello to everybody else. You two have a good time, and Erik, please stick close to Jules.”

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