Page 5 of Rhodes
“So, why didn’t you tell me about this guy?” Rachel asks.
She’s third in mine and Jamie-Lynn’s trio. She moved to Knight’s Ridge a couple years ago and opened a bookstore in town. We all became friends after she partnered with the school to plan a book drive for the students.
“There’s nothing to tell you,” I say, not wanting to rehash the past.
“Then why are you wearing the wrap dress I got you for your birthday that shows off your cleavage?”
I look down at my chest and tug at the fabric to cover myself up more.
“I wanted to look nice. Don’t read into this. It wasn’t my idea to invite him out tonight. It was Jamie-Lynn’s idea.”
Jamie-Lynn and Rachel exchange a look that says that they don’t believe me. I wouldn’t believe me either. I spent way too much time trying on different outfits before coming out tonight. Clearly, I’m a glutton for punishment.
I look down at my watch.
“He’ll be here,” Jamie-Lynn assures me.
“That’s not—“ I start to say but she holds up her hand to stop me.
Jamie-Lynn downs the last sip of her cocktail and slides the empty glass over to me.
“Be a doll, won’t you?” she asks with a smile. “I bet by the time you get back here, you will find lover boy sitting in your seat.”
I push back from the table. “I’m only doing this because I need another drink myself.”
Jamie-Lynn and Rachel both give me sarcastic thumbs up and then burst out laughing.
I turn and push my way to the bar. The place is filling up quickly, which isn’t surprising since it’s a Friday night. I wait my turn and give my order to the bartender. I lean against the bar as I wait for him to make the drinks and notice that Ethan has arrived and he’s sitting in my seat.
Jamie-Lynn and Rachel are both laughing at something he’s saying like they are all old friends. The jealousy I felt early surges up again. I turn around and order another shot and down it before heading back to the table with mine and Jamie-Lynn’s drinks in hand.
Rachel smiles when she notices me approach and Ethan turns. He stands up quickly when he sees me.
“You look amazing,” he says, his gaze moving up and down my body.
I can’t help the thrill of his attention on me. He moves over to give me back my seat. I know that by letting him back into my life, I run the risk of history repeating itself. I could find myself heartbroken and alone again, but in this moment, with the way Ethan keeps looking at me, I might be crazy enough to be willing to take another chance.
Chapter 4
RHODES
Hazel doesn’t exactly make it easy for me to step back into her life after all the time that has passed between us. But then again, I really can’t blame her. The fact that she hasn’t told me to get the hell out of her life yet seems like a promising sign for a second chance. But I think that her friends have more to do with helping me out than I realize. Jamie-Lynn is a ball buster and Rachel is really sweet. I actually think she and Tanner would hit it off.
I text Tanner to meet us, but he gives some cryptic excuse about already having plans. It can’t be that he’s meeting up with a girl. I’m already at the only bar in town unless he’s going out with someone in Ashville.
I swear, it’s like that guy is living a double life that he isn’t sharing with the rest of us. I’m probably the closest to him in the fire house, and I barely know anything about him other than the fact that he readsThe Financial Timesfor fun.
“Who wants another round?” Jamie-Lynn asks the table. Hazel and Rachel both hold up their hands. “Ethan?”
“I’m good.” I point to the glass of water in front of me. “I don’t like to drink on the off chance that we get called in.”
“That’s right, you’re a fireman,” Rachel smiles and looks to Hazel. “You’ve always said that you love a man in uniform.”
Hazel’s glares at her friend as her cheeks turn red in embarrassment.
“You do?” I ask, teasingly.
“Don’t listen to her.” Hazel turns to me. “She’s drunk.”
