“Told you,” she said, smiling at the line of people waiting for a turn on the microphone. “It was cool that Justin kicked it off for us.”
“Yeah, that was pretty hysterical. His speech was hilarious too.”
“Well, I think he nailed Rob dead-on, but there’s no way I’ll be that peppy at sixty.”
“Oh please. You’ll be the spryest chick in the retirement home.”
“You know it,” she laughed. “You’ll be right there with me.”
“Yeah, but I’ll practically be a youngster.”
“Hey, you’re only a few weeks younger than me. Don’t think I’ve forgotten your birthday is next week. I plan on taking you out before you leave.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s not like I took you out for yours.”
“Only because you were halfway across the country. Now if you move back, I’ll force you to take me out.”
“You’re moving back?” Hollie interrupted. I didn’t realize she was standing behind me.
“No, sweetie,” I answered, glaring at Melissa, who mouthed, Sorry. I had my suspicions that she’d done it on purpose, but she left to talk at another table before I could grill her for it.
“Aw, why? We’ve all missed you. Especially Justin. He’s been a total downer since you left,” Hollie piped in as Justin rejoined us.
“Giving away all my secrets, squirt?” he asked, reaching out to muss her hair, which made her shriek with panic. She backed away from the table with Andrea in tow.
“Great speech,” I told him as he climbed onto the stool next to mine. I pretended I didn’t notice his leg resting intimately against mine.
“It was fun,” he chuckled, signaling the waitress for another round of drinks. “What about my song?”
“Well, that was . . .”
“Amazing, inspiring . . .”
“Awful,” I laughed. “Don’t quit your day job.”
“That bad?” he asked, chuckling loudly.
“Just a bit,” I said, holding up two fingers to emphasize my point.
He put a hand over his heart dramatically. “I’m wounded.”
“I’m sure,” I said, taking a sip from the drink the waitress placed in front of me. I could feel the effects of the alcohol as we sat together talking. I wasn’t drunk, but I had a definite buzz. Between the liquor and the fact that Justin’s leg was still pressed against mine, my senses were on hyperdrive. The music was loud, so we were forced to lean in close as we talked. Everyone else faded into the background as we sat in our own private world.
Eventually, our bubble of privacy was breached when Trish and Paul brought the kids over to say their good-byes. “I can’t believe how big Hollie and Travis have gotten,” I observed as we watched them head out the door.
“I know what you mean. Every time I see them, they both look an inch taller,” he agreed, resting his hand on top of mine. A moment of intensity crackled between us. Looking up from our hands, we gazed into each other’s eyes and the past no longer mattered. I no longer cared who had hurt whom, or who had been wronged. All I cared about was the warm familiarity of his touch. My fingers curled around his hand, holding on tightly.
“Is this okay?” he asked, using the pad of his thumb to stroke the outside of my hand.
My only answer was a nod as I watched his thumb with fascination. Everything inside me hummed to life. Slowly, he seduced my hand with his touch, running his thumb over each curve. Desire coursed through my veins and my breathing became labored. Finally, unable to handle watching his thumb any longer, I looked up to see that his intensity matched my own.
“Do you want to get out of here?” he asked.
I contemplated his words for the briefest of moments. I knew what he was asking. If I said yes, there would be no going back. This tentative friendship thing, which really was a joke, would be revealed for what it truly was. Justin and I could never just be friends. If I slept with him, we would be lovers with baggage. Even though I knew it might be a mistake, I nodded, unable to deny my body what it craved.
We said our good-byes to Melissa and Rob, who saw right through the excuse that I was tired and he was just giving me a ride to my hotel. I gave Melissa a quick hug and promised to call in the morning. I pretended not to notice her happy grin and whispers of excitement to Rob as we left.
Justin placed his hand on my naked back, guiding me toward the parking lot. Any doubts I might have had were laid to rest. An ache spread through me from his touch. I wanted him. No, I needed him.