I cringe at his words. “It's fine Tony. Don’t worry about it. He’s just looking out for me, that’s all.”
Jessie then decides to make her presence known. “So which of you lovely young gentleman is going to buy me a drink?”
I roll my eyes at her. She’s so forward.
Tony sparks up, “I’ll get you one, Jessie. And Ana, would you like another?”
I look down and realise that my drink is almost empty. When did that happen?
Jake looks at me stunned, “Steady, Ana. You still have work tomorrow.”
I look up at him and flutter my eyelashes. “Well, I wouldn’t want to upset the boss man now, would I?”
He blushes at my comment and I think I turn the same colour after realising it looks like I’m flirting with him.
“That’s what we’re here for. Let your hair down, Ana. I’ll get you another.”
I smile, “Thanks Tony.”
The drinks and conversation are flowing and by my fourth gin and tonic the music seems to be getting louder. The song “Don’t You Worry Child,” comes blaring through the speakers and Jessie gives a little whoop. I laugh as she comes bouncing over, tugging at my arm.
“We’re going dancing, girl.”
I try to resist but she is exceptionally strong for such a small girl. I don’t really want to anyway. The drink is flowing and making me brave. I’m up dancing and I can’t stop laughing. I’m actually enjoying myself for once. I glance over and see all the men propped up at the bar watching us. My eyes are on Jake’s as I give him a cheeky wink. Boy I am really getting courageous.
The songs carry on much the same, then Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body,” comes on, and we start wiggling our hips to the beat. One of the guys from work called James comes over to Jessie and starts gyrating behind her. He is another good looking detective who reminds me a lot of a young Denzel Washington—although, I’d never tell him that. He may think I’m coming on to him and James doesn’t need much encouragement as far as that’s concerned.
Suddenly I feel a pair of hands on my hips and an unwelcome crutch pushing into me from behind. I turn to face who it is, assuming that it’s Tony, but I’m suddenly faced with a man I’ve never met before. The guy with dark blonde spiky hair and a silly drunk grin on his face looks down to me.
“Hi, babes. You’re looking mighty fine there, so I thought I may join in. You don’t mind do you? You’re a great dancer?”
I’m angry. Who does he think he is?
“Actually, I do mind. Can you get your hands off me?”
He’s looking angry now. I try to push his hands away and he just grips harder.
“Don’t try to fight me off, lady. You dance like that and expect no one to notice and want to join you.”
I try to wriggle myself away from him when the spiky blonde guy is suddenly yanked off me by the scruff of his neck. All of a sudden there is Jake, Tony and a bunch of guys from work surrounding him.
Tony shouts, “You lay your fucking hands off her, jerk-off. She doesn’t want you touching her, now fuck off.”
Spiky blonde guy puts his hands up in surrender. “Ok, ok, I’ll go. I thought she was game after the way she was advertising her mighty fine ass.”
Both Jake and Tony make a move to grab him when Sam’s voice is heard from afar, “Hey guys. Please don’t be doing this in my bar. Take it outside if you must, but not in here.”
I look over at Jessie who is staring mouth wide open at what’s happening before us. I run over to Tony and Jake and I put my hand on each of their chests. The electricity that bolts though me from Jake has me spellbound. I couldn’t help but stare into his eyes for a second. He makes an ever so slight gasp like he feels it, too, but then I feel Tony’s eyes from me to Jake. I quickly snap myself out of it and finally find my words.
“Thanks guys, but I don’t want any trouble caused over me. Besides, he’s not worth it. I think it may be best if we leave now, don’t you think, Jake?”
He glares over to the spiky blonde guy who is finally retreating. He then looks down to me and nods.
“Right guys, back to normal. Nothing to see here.”
I wave my hands absent-mindedly in the air and I hear a few chuckles. I think I’m rather drunk now. I walk over to Jessie and give her a hug.
“Wow, that was intense. I thought they were all going to start pissing on you for a minute there.”
I smack her arm, “Jessie, that’s disgusting. I’m going home before I cause any more trouble. How are you getting back? Have you got a ride?”
Jessie smiles, “Yes I’m fine. Michael promised me a ride home. He said he wasn’t drinking.”