Page 31 of Keeping Skylar
I chuckle, rubbing my sore arm, and offer Jason a grateful smile. “That’s kind of you. Thanks, Jase.”
“My pleasure. And since I’m feeling generous, all your drinks are on the house this evening,” he says with a genuine smile, just as Mila lets out a loud gasp.
Okay, so he’s definitely earning some serious brownie points tonight. But that doesn’t excuse the fact he hid the truth from me.
I glance over at the girls, and judging by the expressions on their faces, you’d think they just won the lottery.
Leaning forward, I raise my glass for another toast. “Here’s to you, Jase. An amazing father, a successful business owner, and a loyal friend.” We all clink our glasses, and Jason returns a warm smile. His slight flinch at the mention of being a loyal friend doesn’t escape me.
He finishes wiping over the counter and lets us know he’s done for the night. “I better head home, my sitter can only mind Jake until ten. It’s been difficult lately to find someone who can mind him until the bar closes.”
I snap my head towards Mila, and she flinches at my sudden movement, her eyes widening as she realises what I’m about to say. “Well, Jase, I happen to know the perfect babysitter.”
Jason’s whole face lights up. “Oh, yeah? Are they any good?” he asks.
Mila’s eyes plead with me as she subtly shakes her head. I can’t help but smirk at her. “I’ve heard she’s the best. She’s a uni student, so she’s free most evenings.”
Jason nods and smiles widely. “Okay, cool. What’s her contact? I’ll give her a call tomorrow.”
“No need. You can ask her right now.”
He frowns in confusion. “She’s here? Like now?” he asks as he surveys the room, like he actually knows what he’s looking for.
I smack my hand on Mila’s shoulder, making her jump on her seat. “She sure is. It’s my sister.” I grin and turn to Mila. “You’re free most nights, right?”
Mila shoots daggers at me with her eyes, while Kirstin snorts behind her hand, her shoulders bouncing with suppressed laughter.
“Umm ... Yeah, sure,” Mila stammers, her face turning a darker shade of pink. Jason beams and takes his phone out from his back pocket. “Well, that’s great. Here ...” He hands Mila his phone and she reluctantly takes it from him. “Put in your number and I’ll give you a call tomorrow to discuss details,” he instructs my sister.
After Mila enters her number and hands Jason his phone back, he bids us good night and leaves the bar.
The moment he disappears Mila punches me hard on the arm.
“Ow, bitch!”
“What the hell, Skylar!” she barks, though the slight curl of her lips and the way she tries to fight back a grin show she’s not entirely mad at the idea.
“That was fuckin gold. You should’ve seen your face.” Kirstin roars with laughter. “Mila, I could see you drooling every time Jason spoke. Could you be any more obvious.”
“I was not,” she whines.
“Maybe this could be your shot at getting hot and heavy with ‘Big Daddy-O’,” Kirstin teases.
“Fuck you, both!” Mila hisses sarcastically.
“We love you too, baby sis.” I smack a loud wet kiss on her cheek and she shoves me off, almost making me fall off my chair.
We spend the next half hour finishing off our cocktails and talking about everything—but Kaden and Lucia.
I don’t even realise how tired I’ve become until I fight back a yawn. “Well ladies, I think I might head home. My sleezebag husband should be asleep by now, so I might squeeze in some online furniture shopping for the apartment.”
“Oh, poo! You’re no fun. We still have just over an hour before midnight strikes. Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer?” Kirstin pouts.
“I’d love to, but I really want to make a start tonight. I only have a limited time before I move into my new place, and I really don’t want to move in to an apartment with no furniture. Rain check?”
“Fine. But drinks are on you next time.” Kirstin smirks.
“Drinks are always on me, cheapskate.” I nudge her on the shoulder and she chuckles.
