Page 35 of Gin & Jewels
I turned to the bartender. “A gin and tonic, and a vodka cranberry, please.” The bartender made our drinks, and I tipped him before handing Cassie hers. “All right, see what you think.”
She took a small sip and blinked as though she was trying to decide. “It’s tart. I thought it would be sweet.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, cranberry isn’t really a sweet juice. Do you like it?”
She took another sip. “I’m not sure.”
“Want to try something sweet?”
“Yeah.”
I turned back to the bartender. “Amaretto sour.”
“Sour?” she questioned.
“Trust me.” I smiled. “It’s not sour at all.”
The bartender made it and then slid it in front of her. She picked it up and took a sip from the straw. “Okay, I like this one much better.”
“Then we’ll make this your drink.”
“I’d like that.” She beamed.
We walked to our table to get ready for dinner. When the bride and groom made their grand entrance, I turned to watch them walk out of the house toward the head table. Toasts were given, speeches were made, and then we ate.
“Do you dance?” I asked Cassie after we were done eating. I’d had the bartender refill our drinks during the meal.
“The last time I danced was in high school at the homecoming dance my sophomore year.”
“Well, damn, princess. Let’s change that.”
I didn’t knowhow much alcohol was in the two amaretto sours I drank, but it was enough to get me out on the dance floor after the bride danced with her dad and the groom with his mom. I didn’t care that the only time I danced was in front of the mirror in my room when I got dressed for the day. I was having a good time. We danced so much that sweat was dripping down my back. Everyone was having a blast.
Then a slow song came on.
Brad took me into his arms, and we swayed to the music, my arms around his neck. “You’re doing good,” he praised.
“At dancing?” I questioned.
He smiled down at me. “Yeah, for someone who hasn’t danced in years.”
“Well, I dance in my room,” I admitted.
“I’d like to see that.”
“Maybe when I get my own place.” I didn’t know why I’d said that. I didn’t want to leave the house for Keith to destroy, but spending time with Brad the last two nights had made me feel as though life could be different. Yes, it was a house my mother loved, butIdidn’t love living there any longer. I needed my own place. I needed to finally get my driver’s license. I needed to finally livemylife and not live in fear.
“Yeah? You thinking about getting your own place?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“The guys and I can help you move if you’d like.”
I looked at his friends, who were dancing with their wives and some of the bridesmaids. “I’d like that.” We continued to sway to the music, and when I looked up at him again, he was looking down at me. “What?”
“I’m just proud of you.”
“For what?”
