The girls and I were already at the club. Even feeling nervous and apprehensive about the evening, it didn’t keep me from arriving early. “I can’t believe my own brother set me up.”
Aren’t you curious to see him?” Kimber asked.
“See who?” Ryder asked.
“Her ex is coming tonight. And by ex I mean the love of her life who left and stayed away.”
Ryder’s eyes widened. “You must be curious.”
“Of course I’m curious and scared to death.”
“Why?”
When we reconnected that one Thanksgiving it was still there—that memory was one of my very favorites—but four years had passed. A lot could happen in that time, people changed and I was afraid we had changed. I would rather cling to what had been than live with what was. “What if it’s not the same?”
Ryder simply replied, “What if it is?”
My phone buzzed—Cam. They were parking. I was going to throw up. “I need to use the ladies room.”
“Do you want us to come?”
“No you stay. You can introduce Ryder to my brother.”
Kimber grabbed my hand before I could walk off. “We’re here for you.”
“And I have a feeling I’m going to need some girl time after tonight.”
After the restroom, I stopped at the bar and ordered a double shot of Irish whiskey. A little liquid courage couldn’t hurt. I savored the burn and the phony confidence that followed. I turned toward the table and immediately forgot how to breathe when my eyes landed on Damian. Every cell in my body recognized him even though he was so different from the boy I knew. My legs went a little weak as I reached for the bar top to keep my balance. He was home; so close I could touch him.
I had studied up on the Green Berets so I knew of the rigorous training that turned their bodies into another weapon in their arsenal. The t-shirt Damian wore hugged his massive frame, snug over his wide shoulders and muscled chest; his faded jeans hung from his narrow hips. His black hair was buzzed, which only brought your focus to his pale eyes, eyes I saw every night in my dreams. Nerves kicked in…excitement, anticipation and apprehension.
“I need another double,” I called to the bartender as my eyes lingered on Damian, I also witnessed Kimber and Ryder’s reaction to him—eyes bugging out of their sockets, tongues dropping. I totally got it.
“Here you go.”
I reached for the shot and kicked it back but I wasn’t feeling numb yet. I needed to feel numb. “I think I need one more.”
She grinned as she filled me up again. “You’re not going to drink it away.”
Bartenders were rumored to be very astute and she was no exception. “I know. I’m just looking for courage.”
“Have you found it?”
I felt a bit light-headed, definitely giddy and oddly relaxed despite the fact that the love of my life was just across the room. “Yes, I believe I have.”
“The shots are my treat. Good luck.”
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the encounter. “Thank you. I’m going to need it.”
I slowly made my way back to the table and realized I probably should have waited between shots because I was beginning to feel the effects of the whiskey, and damn that stuff was potent. My legs turned all rubbery but at least the stomach twisting nerves had faded. I felt ten feet tall and bullet proof. Damian saw me first, his eyes sought me out like a heat-seeking missile and my body responded, preparing for something that wasn’t going to happen again.
“Thea?” Cam reached for my arms. “Are you alright?” He asked this because I sort of stumbled into the table. I was not a graceful drunk.
“I am right as rain. What does that mean anyway? Right as rain. I don’t get that expression.”
My eyes connected with Damian’s and even through the protective barrier offered by the alcohol, that box opened and all the feelings came flooding out. The magnitude of them had my voice dropping to a soft purr. “Hi.”
“Thea.”
Even swimming in Irish whiskey, his greeting hurt. Hi was our thing, it was how we greeted each other. A hi that meant so much more than hi. I didn’t get my hi. And feeling belligerent that he denied me a hi I amended my greeting, “Damian. At least we remember our names.”
Kimber’s jaw dropped.
“I’d ask if you wanted something to drink, but it seems you’re several drinks ahead of us.”
“That I am, Anton. Irish whiskey, Dad’s favorite. Strong stuff.”
Damian walked off and I watched him go because his ass in those jeans was what dreams were made of. Kimber wedged herself between Cam and me before she whispered, “What are you doing?”