AllFreeNovel
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“It’s your birthday. Celebration, right?”
He mock-pouts. “Celebrating what? Me being a year older?”
I pat his hand across the table. “You’re only as young as the woman you feel.” I wink.
“How’s the new job?”
My stomach drop at his diversion. “It’s good. My new manager gives me the hours and flexibility I need.”
He raises his hands in the air in defense. “The orders came from the powers that be. I just did what I was told.”
I try not to put my lingering annoyance in my gaze. Truth is, I love the wine bar. I worked there for three years, and I never wanted to leave. But they wouldn’t adjust my hours so my days are free for modelling, and it’s vital I have that option.
Especially now. If the next few shoots go well, especially the one my agent called about earlier, then I won’t have to work in a bar at all.
I hold onto this thought as I finish the rest of my wine and set the glass on the table.
“Do you want another?” Jackson motions to the empty glass and I shake my head.
“Not right now. Thanks, though.” I smile and he returns the gesture. Our eye contact lingers, and just when I think he’s going to—
“Do you know where the others went?” he asks.
My stomach drops again. Apparently I’m not finding my way to his bed tonight either.
“Nope,” I reply. My tone is noticeably clipped, and Jackson pauses before he stands.
“Okay. I’ll go find them. Will you wait here?”
“No, I think I’m going to head home. Say bye to everyone for me, will you?”
He nods and runs a hand through his hair. “Sure.” He bends down and presses a kiss to my cheek. “I miss you at work, you know?”
Not enough to fuck me.
Still, I smile. “I miss you, too, but we all have to move on at some point, right? We can’t do something or stay somewhere just because it makes us comfortable.”
“Too true. Take care of yourself, Liv.”
“You, too.”
I watch as he walks away from me, the thought it could be the last time I see him twisting in my lower stomach. Yes, I have a huge crush on the guy, but he’s still my friend. I’ll definitely have to stop by the bar when I have a night off to say hi to everyone.
I sigh and run my finger around the top of my glass. My eyes close to the pounding music. My foot is tapping beneath the table, and for a moment I just sit and listen to the words as they flow over me.
The table moves slightly and I open my eyes, expecting it to be Jackson again or one of the girls.
It’s not.
Oh, boy, it’s not.
Sitting in front of me is an incredible specimen of a man. No, never mind that. Sitting in front of me is the hottest fucking guy I’ve ever seen in my life.
He gives definition to tall, dark, and handsome. From the dark hair swept back and curling over his ears to eyes I can’t make out the color of, he’s completely fucking gorgeous.
I’m mesmerized by him.
Shapely lips quirk to one side as he appraises me in the same manner, and he sits forward in his seat, running his thumb across his jaw. “Hi.”
