Page 159 of Coff

The bartender sets down his beer, and Dan takes a few gulps.

“I’m wondering how she feels about public displays.” He turns to me. “Is she for them or against them?”

I laugh. “Public displays? Do you mean like billboards? Because I have no idea where she stands on those.”

He laughs. “You’re funny. No, I mean public displays of affection.”

I grab my beer only to discover it’s empty. Guess I drank it fast once Dan sat down. “Are you asking if she’ll slap you if you kiss her in front of everyone?”

He frowns. “I’m not being very clear, am I?”

I shake my head.

He leans closer. “I’m going to propose to her, and I plan to do it at the station.”

Propose? So soon? “You haven’t been dating long. Isn’t that a bit fast?”

His eyes find Julia as he smiles. “When you know, you know.” Then he turns back to me. “What do you think of my station idea?”

It sucks. It’s not romantic, and she’ll hate it. “I don’t know. Maybe you should ask Rover’s girlfriend, Connie.”

He slaps my arm. “That’s a great idea! Thank you.” He leaves and walks toward the group. When he reaches Julia, he picks her up and twirls her around.

“Hey, can I get three shots?” I ask the bartender.

“Sure.” He lines them up, and I drink them down.

I’m sure I’ll regret this tomorrow, but right now, I don’t want to think about how I waited too long and now she’s going to marry that douche.

Since I rarely drink, the alcohol hits me fast. But I like it; it’s numbing the pain.

“Fox?”

I turn to find Julia standing next to me.

“Are you all right?”

I nod.

She stares at me. “Did Dan say something to upset you?”

I laugh because she’s perceptive, but I can’t tell her the truth. “Why would you think that?”

She glances back in his direction. He’s talking to Connie. “You looked angry when he was talking. Then he left, and you ordered shots.”

I turn to her and lean a little closer than necessary. “You keeping an eye on me?”

She shivers, and I can’t help but want it to be because she has some feelings for me. I lean back up. What the hell am I doing? I don’t hit on women with boyfriends.

“I happen to be looking over, and I noticed. That’s all. So, what did he say?”

I keep my eyes on the bartender, willing him to walk back to this side of the bar. “We just talked about the weather.”

She crosses her arms. “The weather?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’m not happy that it’s supposed to rain for the next three days.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fox, it always rains here.”

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