Page 11 of Hit and Run
“Great idea,” TJ agrees. Wren links her arm in Zack’s and they lead the way.
“After you,” TJ says to me. I follow Wren and Zack while TJ follows me. Zack and TJ pull the chairs out for Wren and me. And they say chivalry is dead.
“Thank you,” I tell TJ as I sit. It doesn’t take long for our waitress to come to our table.
“Good evening, Zack.” Her eyes are filled with lust. Wren is looking at the menu so she doesn’t see this bitch ogling her man. She called him by his first name. He must come here a lot, but she doesn’t address Wren or even glance her way. Red flag. “Would you like your usual?”
“Not tonight. Water for the lady and me.” He doesn’t bother looking at her when talking to her. She turns to TJ and I, her smile more forced.
“And for you?”
“I’ll take an unsweet tea, please,” I answer.
TJ grins at me. “I’ll have a sweet tea.”
I feign disgust and get a light chuckle from him, causing me to smile. Zack is whispering in Wren’s ear. Whatever he’s saying to her has her blushing. Her entire face is pink.
“So, Sienna, tell me about yourself,” TJ says. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“Fun? What’s that?” I chuckle. “I’ve worked my ass off for the past four years. I’ve barely had any time for fun.”
“Where do you work,” he asks.
“Past tense. I worked at Bluez Lounge for the last couple of years,” I explain. “Friday was my last night working. I’m taking some much needed time off and am looking for a new job.”
“Have you gotten a degree?
“I’ve thought about it, but I don’t think that’s the route for me,” I tell him. Me and school go together like oil and water. I’m more of a hands-on learner.
“Schooling makes a woman more desirable,” Zack adds. TJ shoots him a glare and Zack shrugs.
“Ignore him,” TJ whispers. “He can be somewhat of an asshole.”
“Nothing I’m not used to,” I admit. “You meet all walks of life when working at a bar.”
“I can only imagine. I bet you have all kinds of stories you could tell,” he says.
“Oh, you have no idea,” I reply. As if on cue, thoughts of Saturday with Shade come flooding back. I may not have been on the clock when it happened, but it’s the best memory I have of that place. The waitress brings our drinks and takes our order. Zack orders himself a steak and Wren a salad.
“Wren, you’re seriously getting a salad?” I gape at her. She’s never been someone who watches what she eats, nor does she need to be.
“Yes, she’s having a salad. It’s good for her,” Zack answers for her. Another red flag. I don’t respond to him, not wanting to cause problems between them. I order a steak for myself and TJ orders some seafood. TJ and I fall into quiet conversation, neither of us wanting Zack to butt in again.
“What do you do? Did you go to college,” I ask TJ.
“I did go to college. I went to Brown University. I graduated last year and am now working for my family’s business,” he explains to me.
“That’s awesome. I’m not close with my family,” I admit.
“Why not?”
“Some disagreements when I was younger caused them to disown me,” I tell him. It’s not the full truth but I’m not telling a complete stranger stuff that deep. I’m not that much of an open book. I’ve never told Wren and she’s my best friend.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“It happens. It was years ago and I’ve let it go.” For the most part, I really have. What happened did affect my relationships and friendships. Wren isn’t just my best friend. She’s the only true friend I’ve had since I left home— until now anyway. I can actually see myself being friends with Minx and the girls.
Our conversation throughout dinner is small talk. I’m usually a better conversationalist but my mind keeps drifting back to Shade. Don’t get me wrong, TJ is good looking, but I don’t feel any kind of connection with him. Shade and I had mind-blowing sex, but every time I’ve been around him since, I get fucking butterflies or some shit. I want to get to know him but he’s my best friend’s brother. I don’t want things to get weird between any of us, so he’ll always be just a one night stand. Not to mention, I haven’t let a guy close to me since high school, and that didn’t end well.
