Page 99 of Bastard Bartender

She sighs with a smile. “Then, come on. Dinner’s on me. We can munch on chips and salsa with our margaritas, and I’ll drop you off at the airport just tipsy enough to get a good night’s sleep on the plane.”

I lift my chin and give her a matching grin. “Sounds like the perfect way to spend the night.”

* * *

After dinner, Sammy picks us up and takes me to the airport, so I don’t have to leave my car in long-term parking. Plus, we got a little carried away, and one margarita turned into a pitcher, so Marie couldn’t drive.

We pull up to the airport, and I hop out of the car. Marie is there by my side, assisting with my bag.

“I’m going to miss you so much.” She wraps her arms around me. “I know this is only the trial run, but I’m not sure if I will be able to handle the real thing.”

I pat her back. “Me too, girl. Me too.” I lean back and look her in the eye and then at Sammy, who’s standing on the opposite end of the car. “Now, will you please marry that man already? I don’t know too many men who will get up to drive his girlfriend and her friend to the airport.”

She grins as she turns toward Sammy.

“You should listen to the woman,” Sammy says, nodding his head.

“Yeah, with you not around, I might just finally have to settle down,” Marie says, staring right at Sammy.

I see the way they look at each other—with love and promise in their eyes. To them, the marriage would only be a piece of paper. I know deep down in their hearts, they’re already married and absolutely dedicated to each other. Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll find my someone in New York. Doesn’t feel possible, but I can still hope.

“Okay, give me one more hug before I head off to the Big Apple!”

“Nooooooo,” Marie says with a mock cry as she hugs me tightly.

After our embrace, I wave to Sammy, thanking him for the ride, and make my way through the double doors that welcome me to McCarran International Airport.

I make my way through the baggage check and then head toward the security line. As I move slowly with the other travelers, my heart aches at the thought of what I’m doing.

Change can be scary. It’s been two years since I made my first leap, and the anxiety doesn’t stop. It’s exciting and frightening at the same time. Still, there’s something that just doesn’t feel right.

I place my purse on the conveyer belt and remove everything they ask of me. Then, I walk through the metal detector. When I get the all-clear nod, I grab my belongings from the conveyor belt and head toward my gate.

I’m looking down at my ticket to make sure I’m going to the correct gate when something—or rather someone—catches my attention.

I slowly move my eyes up the tight-fighting jeans and shirt that looks like it was made specifically for his body. But it’s not until I get to those mesmerizing green eyes that my breath hitches.

“Nic?” I ask in complete disbelief.

My head is a bit scattered with the margaritas and the anxiousness of the move, but there is no denying the gorgeous man standing in the middle of the aisle with a painfully smoldering stare, who’s not in the least bit surprised to see me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, remembering that I just walked through security and you need a ticket to be here. Which means he has a ticket. “You’re traveling somewhere?”

“I’d like to.” He slides a white airline ticket from his back pocket and waves it in the air. “Boarding in thirty minutes.”

My heart leaps into my throat because my plane leaves in thirty minutes too.

“On another adventure, I assume.”

“It is. It’ll be the biggest leap I’ve ever taken.” Nic steps forward. “But I’ll let you in on a little secret. It’ll be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done.”

He grabs my hand in his. It’s warm and soft, and sends a chill up my arms.

“You were right,” he says.

I swallow hard and blink at him, dumbfounded. “I was?”

“You deserve someone who lives for you. I was so sick of everyone feeling sorry for me because I was sick that I went on this never-ending campaign to cheat death. I was selfish with how careless I was, never putting the feelings of the ones I loved in the forefront. I didn’t understand how powerful it was to love someone more than yourself that you didn’t want to exist without them until you walked out that door. I’ll never change. I’m unpredictable.” He laughs lightly. “In fact, the only predictable thing about me is, I’m guaranteed to change my mind constantly. You can’t confine me, but you also can’t leave me alone because I need to be with you.”