Page 102 of Just Ten Seconds

“Small fucking world,” she says. She scratches her head as she ponders this pickle. “Are you sure?”

I raise my head and suck my lips in. When I lower it with a heavy drop, she curses again.

“I guess my next question for you is, do you love him too?”

“Do I love Dean?” I look over at the shot glass the bartender just filled. Instead of giving her an answer, I raise it to my lips and down my fifth shot.

She accepts my answer as she tells the bartender, “Line ’em up.”

A few minutes later, she’s caught up to me, and we’re taking our sixth shot together. I try not to gag at the reflux. I haven’t had this much to drink in years, and now, I’m downing the hard stuff like I’m in college. According to the way my head is starting to sway, I’m not in college anymore.

“What’s your plan now?” she asks me.

I fall forward and lean my elbows on the bar as the side of my head drops to my hand. “I have to tell him. Tell him I lied by omission. Tell him we’re connected in this way I never thought imaginable.”

She makes a noise in agreement. “Maybe the liquid courage will help. Talk to him. Now.”

“I’m not calling him,” I state, rolling my head toward her.

“You don’t have to.” Her attention is focused over my shoulder, distracted by something—or someone—on the other side of the room. “He’s here.”

My stomach drops as I spin on the barstool, facing the front door. The bar is packed, but it’s easy to spot Dean as his tall, strong build walks through the crowd. His impossibly handsome face is stoic as he searches the room. When his gaze lands on mine, his eyes light up, and that grin I love so much illuminates.

I stand up, and everything begins to spin. The head rush from six shots of tequila swirls through my brain. I have to sit down.

Dean rushes to my side with a smile. “Looks like someone’s had a few too many,” he teases as he lays a hand on my back, making sure I don’t fall over.

“Just a few,” Jackie says with trepidation. “I’ll leave you two to talk.” She puts a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.

It takes me a moment to gather my thoughts. “How did you know I was here?” I manage to utter.

“I didn’t. I went to your house, and you weren’t home, so I took a chance. I’m happy I did. I’m sorry about what I said at the meeting. Not what I said, but how I said it. It’s too soon, and I know you’re not ready. I went looking for you after. I thought you’d be in the parking lot, but you were gone.”

I lay a hand on his chest. His voracious and strong heart, the mightiest muscle in his body, is pulsing against my palm, into the life line. I close my eyes and savor it.

“I wasn’t ready for you, but you barged your way into my heart, and now, I’m not sure you’re ready for me.”

His smile falls. “Baby, what’s the matter?”

I hear him ask the question, but my mind begins to swivel. My mouth is dry, so I chug the beer Jackie left me. At least, I think she left this for me.

“You shouldn’t be drinking so much,” he says.

He’s right. I put the bottle down as a woman bumps into me, almost knocking me off the stool. Dean steadies my balance.

The bar is getting packed. People have started to dance, and there’s a rush of patrons coming up to the bar, trying to get a drink. Dean and I need to talk, and this is not the place. I stand up to get away, but my stomach starts to give in. I clench my mouth.

“You don’t look so good.” Dean places a hand on my back.

“I’m fine. I just need fresh air.” I walk toward the back door, feeling like the crisp chill will help me.

We’re halfway across the dance floor, the vibration rumbling up my legs, when I feel a tug on my arm. I look back to see Dean is caught by the dancing crowd, abut ten people away, and a guy in a black suit with his tie undone is holding on to my arm.

“It’s you!” the guy says loudly over the music.

I have to blink a few times to adjust my vision. He’s looking at me with a surprised face. His floppy brown hair and dark eyes are familiar, yet I can’t remember where I know him from.

“You got me thrown out the last time I was here,” he says, taking a step forward.