Caleb raised an eyebrow. “You’re not serious.”
“Sorry, I forgot about your allergy tofeelings.”
Caleb casually flipped him the bird. “What’s your move?” His friend sipped at his beer, nonchalant.
“What do you mean?”
“You want her back, right?”
“Yeah.” Jake pushed another chip around the plate.
“She hasn’t let you apologize, though?”
“Nothing other than what we said at the station.” He popped it into his mouth.
Caleb crossed his arms over his chest. “I think my player ways will come in handy for you.”
“How so?” Jake squinted at his friend.
“Patience, grasshopper. Watch and learn.”
Olivia was having a great time. Nadia and Jade were doing a fantastic job at distracting her from all her problems. Jade’s suggestion that they get dressed up was a balm for her soul. She had on her favorite red sweater, the one with the scoop neck, with a push-up bra that made it look like she actually had cleavage. She’d curled her hair and done her makeup. Add in her skinny jeans and her red ankle boots, and she was feeling good about herself.
They were on dessert and had just finished their first pitcher of strawberry margaritas when the waitress brought another pitcher over.
“Did one of you order another round?” Olivia looked between Nadia and Jade, who seemed equally surprised.
“Actually, this one’s from that gentleman there at the bar.” The waitress gave them a wink and a sly smile. “He’s awful cute. One of y’all is really lucky.” As she turned to walk away, Olivia saw him wave, and her blood turned to ice.
Jake sat at the bar nursing a beer. He lookedterrible. The dark smudges under his eyes looked a lot like the ones she had hidden under multiple layers of concealer. He was still in his work clothes, though his sleeves were rolled up and his collar undone. When their eyes met, he lit up like a bulb. Fuck.
“Guys, we can’t—we should send it back,” she protested as Jade began to pour.
“Listen, sugar, margaritas are expensive. It’s his money, let him spend it how he wants.”
At least Nadia was on her side. “I don’t trust this.”
“It’s not like he could drug it. You don’t let guys apologize with food and drink? What’s the difference between that and flowers?” Jade raised an eyebrow as she took a sip.
“He’s coming over,” Olivia groaned as Jade poured some into her glass. Nadia reached over and patted her shoulder.
Jade leaned over. “Do you want to hear him out? Do you want him back?”
All three put their heads together. “I do miss him,” she admitted.
“Make him work for it, sugar. My Memaw always said, ‘sorry doesn’t fix it.’”
Olivia nodded at the sage advice, and drew in a deep breath as Jake pulled up to the table.
“Olivia,” Jake licked his lips. “Please let me apologize?”
Forcing her emotions so far down she couldn’t even remember they were there, she cocked her head to one side. He wasn’t alone. It was one thing for her friends to bear witness to her humiliation, but she wasn’t too keen on a stranger watching their conversation. “Who’s your friend?”
He gestured behind him. “This is my buddy, Caleb. I mentioned him to you before.”
So this was Caleb. Olivia hid her surprise. They didn’t look like they had anything in common. Jake had short hair and a clean, almost preppy style. Caleb had chin length black hair, tattoos down his arms, and an earring. He was wearing a sleeveless black t-shirt that showed off all the colorful ink, spiked leather cuffs and a silver skull ring on his right hand. She could feel his scrutiny like it was physical; he was trying to see if she was worthy of his friend. Jade and Nadia were doing the same thing to Jake, so she refused to let it bother her. She held her chin high and met his challenge.
She looked back at Jake and raised her glass. “Thanks for the round.”
