Page 74 of Don't Think

“Your dress looks cute,” she says, then nudges my arm a few times. “Looks like someone’s finally leaving their turtle shell at home. I didn’t even have to fight you this time,” she adds with a subtle wink.

Before I can say anything, she leans over the bar to flag the bartender down. He walks over, his eyes darting between the two of us before Ana leans in closer.

“How many shots did she have tonight?” she asks, gesturing toward me with her thumb.

Oh,fuck.

“I’m not exactly sure,” he says with a shrug.?“Wanna say she’s had maybe four.”

I couldkissthis man.

He shoots me a tight-lipped smile, then backs away slowly like he committed some crime.

Ana spins around and drives a finger square into my shoulder.

“Ow! What the he—”

“No more,” she snaps, eyes narrowing. “We arenotdragging your ass out of here again tonight.”

I rub my shoulder, the sting still radiating from her practically stabbing me with her acrylics. “Okay… No more.”

When she turns and walks away, I catch Jax glancing at me from the corner of his eye, a few stools over. The corners of his mouth twitch upward, and I canseehim physically fighting back a laugh.

I walk over and playfully swat his arm. “Shut up,” I mutter through a chuckle.

“I didn’t say a thing,” he says with a shrug, then he takes a slow pull from his beer.

The night drags on with every minute stretching, with the way Jax keeps his eyes trained on me even from across the room. There’s a heat in his eyes that makes my breath catch in my throat.

That’s a close second favorite about all of this. How truly beautiful he makes me feel, and how he makes sure that I feel seen. Always makes sure I am taken care of before he is.

Which makes me all that much more excited to drag him upstairs with me.

In the last hour, I’ve gone back to the bar for three more “shots” and have stumbled into Ana more times than I can count. Each time I made sure to add an overly dramatic giggle that she and Nora buy without question.

Now it’s time for therealshow.

I lean into Ana, resting my head on her shoulder, and start swaying us back and forth.

“I lovve youuu,” I slur, dragging the words out as best I can.

She pats the side of my head. “I love you too, Allie. Let me guess—you had more, even after I saidno more?”

“N-no,” I protest, blinking up at her with wide, innocent eyes.

“Yesss, she did,” Nora cuts in, her words slurring so much more than I could ever fake. “I ssaw her at the barrr.”

“Ah ha, you liar.” Ana laughs. “Alright, where’s Jax? I’m not in the mood for babysitting tonight. It’s his turn.”

“Nooo,” I drawl. “I won’t any no morre, I sswear.”

Ana turns to face me, planting both hands firmly on my shoulders. “Allie. I love you. But you’re drunk as hell, and I’m not ready to leave yet.”

“Are you madd at mee?” I ask, trying to use my best drunk puppy-dog eyes.

She smirks, rolling hers. “Not at all. But if I wake up and see Jax leaving the house again like thefirsttime he drove you home, then he better bring donuts,” she adds, winking.

“Heyy, that’s not—”