“Oh, shit it’s cold.” Sylvia grabs my wrist and tugs me along as she tries to run in her stilettos past a group in front of us.
“You’re going to break both of our necks.” While I’m used to walking in heels, I’ve never tried sprinting in them.
As we approach the bar, I’m surprised to hear live music, and even more surprised that it’s not three decades old. I’ve passed this place several times while going to and from rehearsals. The outside isn’t exactly flashy, so I expected it to cater to an older clientele.
One of the crew members has reached the door and he holds it open as Sylvia and I arrive at the entrance, gesturing for us to go in first. The bar is only half full and couples are dancing in an open space in front of the band. We spot several empty tables against the wall and head in that direction. The room is warm and I slip off my coat and sling it over the back of the chair. The rest of the group, about fifteen in all, settles in around a few of the tables.
I haven’t been in a bar since I was dating Brandon. Strangely enough, Reed has never had a problem letting me go to bars with my fake ID. The ID is good enough to get me through TSA at the airport under my alias—the benefits of money—so there’s no concern of getting caught. Last fall, Reed was usually with me when I went out, even if he stuck to the background, making sure nothing happened. But mostly, he knows that I’m not a big drinker. I don’t like losing control, and that’s what drinking alcohol is all about.
Being here tonight makes me anxious, although I’m not sure why. I’d love to run out the door, get in my car, and go home. And that’s exactly why I know I need to stay. I’m perfectly safe and surrounded by friends. This is the ideal time and place for me to start my post-Brandon social life. My therapist will be happy when I meet with her next week.
There’s a group of about twenty men in the opposite corner of the room. They’re watching a basketball game, whooping and hollering. Other than them, the five couples on the dance floor, and a handle of people sitting at the bar, there’s no one else here. Still, my nerves are pinging, and I’m slightly jumpy. Rob puts his coat on the chair next to mine and smiles down at me. “Let me get you a drink to celebrate a successful opening night. What would you like?”
I haven’t had a drink in months, so I scour my brain for my drink of choice from last fall. “A lemon drop martini.”
“Coming right up.”
Sylvia gives me a knowing look as Rob and a few of the other guys head to the bar to get drinks.
“Stop,” I say as I slide into my seat.
“What?” she asks, feigning innocence.
“I know what you’re thinking, but we’re just friends.”
She bites her lip and nods before turning to one of the local girls next to her. I watch the couples on the dance floor, letting my mind wander to my work on the summer program. Dr. Tyree asked me to draw up an official request for the classrooms for the program, which I’ll need to do this weekend. Then I need to draw up a list of possible courses to show the desired scope of the project to prospective instructors. Reed can help me come up with ideas that will interest the boys. Maybe I can even convince him to work in a computer course of his own. He often says that his love of computers and algorithms began in middle school. Perhaps he’ll help the boys in the program develop that same interest.
I’m deep in thought when Rob sets my drink in front of me. “Lighten up, Lexi Pendergraft.”
I snap out of my train of thought and turn to him. “What makes you say that? I’m here aren’t I?”
“There’s here and then there’s here.” He taps my temple with the last word.
He might have a point.
“You need to let loose and have some fun,” Sylvia leans across the table with an intent look in her eyes. “No work tonight. No comments or suggestions about the fundraiser. I didn’t risk my neck with your brother so you could sit here and think about work or school.”
“Okay, okay.” I lift my hands in surrender and pick up the glass and take a sip. “Better now?”
“For the moment.” She smirks.
The rest of our group joins us and I watch everyone, amazed that the locals from Hillsdale and the students from Southern have blended so well. Rob hits on one of the crew members, an education major who tutors at the charity’s after-school center. He sees me watching and winks.
I grin and shake my head. He’s a hopeless flirt.
I finish my drink and lean over to Sylvia. “I’m going to get another drink. Want something?”
Her eyes light up as she turns from the crew guy she’s talking to and looks at me. “Yeah, another white wine.”
I get up and walk toward the bar, passing a table of rowdy guys who watch me as I pass. An uneasiness spreads down my spine, but I try to ignore it. The men are harmless. I need to lighten up.
Two bartenders are behind the bar—a woman who looks like she’s in her late twenties and a guy who’s slightly familiar although I can’t place him. The woman is closer, but she flashes me a smile and calls out something I can’t hear. The guy’s head lifts and she nods toward me.
He pops the top off a beer bottle and hands it to a guy before making his way to my end of the bar. A grin spreads across his face when he stops in front of me. “What can I get you, darlin’?” he asks with a drawl.
I stare at him, momentarily speechless. He’s impossibly good looking with short, dark hair and gorgeous green eyes. A day’s growth of stubble covers his lower face.