Page 16 of The Sweet Spot
I turn and head back toward the dance floor. The two women who would best know Jennie’s past history would be Maggie and Ruth. Maggie’s the closest, so I wave her over. She comes right away, Owen behind her.
“Hey, Chris.” Maggie is a bit breathless from dancing. “What’s up?”
“Something just happened with Jennie. One minute we were dancing, and the next she raced off in a panic. She seemed utterly spooked.”
Maggie glances around the room as if she’s looking for someone. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
“Absolutely nothing, I swear. All I did was fix her hair, and she flinched. The look on her face—God, Maggie, please. See if she’s in the ladies’ room, and if she is, make sure she’s okay.”
Maggie heads for the back hallway with me and Owen right behind her. The two of us wait while Maggie slips into the ladies’ room. Less than a minute later, she returns.
“She’s okay. She’s just a bit tired after a long day. She said she’s ready to head home.”
“Okay.” I nod. “That’s fine. I’ll walk her.”
Maggie shares a look with Owen before she smiles at me apologetically. “Actually, she asked if Owen and I would take her home tonight.”
I open my mouth to argue—Ialwayswalk Jennie home from the tavern—but the look on Maggie’s face shuts me down quick.
Jennie’snotfine, and Maggie knows it. And now, so do I. And yet no one’s telling me a damn thing.
I feel like shit knowing this is somehow my fault. “Maggie—”
She shakes her head. “Just let it be, Chris.” Her voice is gentle and filled with understanding. “She’s tired, and we’re taking her home. That’s it. Don’t make this into anything more. She said to tell you she’s sorry for the way she reacted, and that she’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stand here frustrated and confused and feeling guilty as hell. Somehow I hurt my best friend, and I don’t know how.
Jennie finally comes out of the restroom, her eyes red, her cheeks damp. She’s obviously been crying.
My heart sinks because I did this to her. “Jennie—”
She gives me a teary smile. “Hey, Chris.” She does her best to sound upbeat. “Thanks for the dance. That was fun. I’m not feeling so hot, so I think I’ll head home now. Maggie and Owen offered to drive me as they’re heading home now, too.”
We all know that’s a lie.
Jennie reaches out and squeezes my hand in what feels like a conciliatory gesture. Her bright smile looks forced. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
I squeeze her hand in return. It feels so slight in mine, her skin so incredibly soft. “Sure. Get some rest. I hope you’re feeling better soon.”
“I will. Please say goodnight to everyone for me, will you?”
Reluctantly, I release her hand. “I will.”
Jennie heads for the back door, Maggie and Owen close on her heels. I know she’s in good hands, but I can’t help worrying. Something happened to her tonight, out on that dance floor. Something bad. I know fear when I see it.
The problem is, Jennie has nothing to be afraid of. At least, not that I know of. And certainly she has no reason to fearme. I’d die before I ever laid a finger on her.
Obviously, there’s something going on I don’t know about.
I head back to join the others. All of the guys are now seated with the women at their table. Everyone but Jennie, Maggie, and Owen, who are conspicuously absent.
“Where did the others go?” Ruth asks as she scans the crowded room.
“They just left,” I say. “Maggie was tired, and Jennie wasn’t feeling well. Owen and Maggie offered to take Jennie home.”Or at least that’s the story.
“Pregnancy will do that to you,” Maya says as she refills her beer glass. “It knocks the wind right out of your sails.” She takes a big swig. “At least that’s what I hear.”
Everyone easily accepts the excuses why the three of them left so early. Everyone but me. Micah gives me a questioning look, but I shrug it off.
