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“Brent! Hey man, long time no see,” Alex says from behind the bar. “You here with Sally and Dominick? I saw them come in a few minutes ago.”
“Hey man, it has been a little while. Yep, we’re all here together and we brought a newbie whose car broke down in town. She’s been staying at the inn while she waits for it to get fixed so we’re showing her where we like to hang out.”
“Oh nice, she hot?” he asks with a laugh as he smacks my shoulder.
“I haven’t paid attention,” I answer, lying through my teeth. “You know me, never looking for a relationship.”
“True. We’ve all been trying to get you fixed up but it never works.”
“Nope, not me. So, we need two beers and two Long Island iced teas.”
“Coming right up.” He goes to fetch the drinks.
Turning around and putting my back against the bar, I take in the room and all the people. Everyone is drinking, and there’s a group of girls dancing in the middle of the floor. I laugh as I watch them stumble along to the beat.
My eyes inadvertently find our booth and I can’t help but stare at Penelope. She’s so beautiful, I can’t look away. She’s in conversation with Sally and Dominick, and I love that she gets along with them.
Just as I’m about to avert my gaze, some guy walks up to the table and addresses Penelope. Her gaze shifts from Sally to the guy, and I instantly feel jealous. Actually, I have an urge to punch him, but I’m an adult. That would be ridiculous.
Right?
I need Alex to hurry up with these drinks. I’m watching across the room as Penelope throws her head back in laughter at something this jerk says.
Is he actually a jerk? I have no idea.
I don’t even know him, and I hate him.
“Here ya go buddy,” Alex says, snapping me out of my jealous rage.
“Thanks man, can you open up a tab for us for the night?”
“You got it,” he tells me as I grab the drinks.
I scurry back to the booth as fast as I possibly can. The guy is still standing there when I arrive, still talking to Penelope. I don’t even care what his name is, I’m sticking to Jerk.
“Hey, here’s our drinks.” I stand at the table, right behind Jerk. He turns around and looks directly at me.
“Sorry man, am I in the way?”
He has to be visiting. I usually recognize most of the people in this joint.
“Yep,” I force out.
He turns to the table and says, “It was nice to meet you guys, especiallyyou, Penelope. I’m over there if you want to come hang out with me and my friends.”
That was definitely directed ather.
Finally, he moves out of the way, and I set the drinks on the table.
“Who was that?” I ask. My voice comes out harsher than I intend. He’s got me all messed up.
“No clue,” Dominick says. “Sure seemed to like our girl Penelope here.” He says it as a joke, but I ball my fists at my sides anyway.
“Shut up, Dom,” Sally says as she punches him in the arm.
I glance at Penelope, whose face has turned bright red. Sitting down, I snatch my drink. We all start drinking, laughing, and talking. Except for Penelope. She quietly sips the drink I got her.
Maybe she isn’t a big drinker? I didn’t even think to ask before inviting her to abar.
