Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
WILLOW
“Did your parents name you after a tree?”
I furrow my eyebrows and tip my chin at my best friend, wondering where the heck that question came from. She lifts her drink, sucking on her straw as she finishes off the cocktail. “What?”
“You know, like a willow tree,” she half slurs as she sets her glass down harder than I think she expected to. Closing one eye, I squint at her as I drunkenly replay her question in my head.
“I don’t know.” I scratch my eyebrow. “I never asked them.”
“Hm,” she hums, scanning the area behind the bar for the bartender. “Names are so weird.”
A chuckle escapes me as I look down at the empty glass in front of me. Mia and I are three drinks deep and I know if I don’t stop drinking now, I’m going to regret it in the morning.
She drove to their lake house earlier today and I met up with her there. We went to a restaurant at the lake first and then made our way to the local dive bar in the Hollow.
Here in this small town, the options are severely limited. There’s one dive bar, one restaurant that serves alcohol, and the bowling alley has beer. Apparently, another family is thinking about opening a distillery along the outskirts of town, but from what I’ve heard, it’s all talk at this point.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially with how the Hollow is becoming a more popular tourist destination because of our maple syrup.
It could help draw in more people, which would be great for the local businesses.
I know some are reluctant to have outside people coming in, but it seems as though that mindset is starting to shift a bit.
I’m not sure what Jace’s plans are with reopening the rink, although I imagine that will be good for the town too. It opens up the possibility for other jobs and could bring in new people. And new people means the potential for more customers at the local businesses.
I’ve been meaning to ask him, but every time we’re around one another, it’s like my thoughts scatter.
Jace has always been a safe and comforting place for me, but at some point recently, there’s been a shift between us.
A tension I can’t quite put my finger on.
I know the way I feel about him, and I always thought the way he feels about me was crystal clear, but it doesn’t feel that way anymore.
The way his gaze lingers. The way he always seems to be standing so close. Watching so intently. Featherlike touches that make me shiver.
Has something changed for him?
“Willow?” Mia’s voice brings me back into the moment.
The room comes back into focus, although I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on one thing. Turning my head to the left, our surroundings spin a bit as I look at my best friend. “What?”
“Don’t turn around, but I think Jace just walked in and it looks like he’s spotted you.”
My stomach drops and my heart stumbles. “What?”
“He’s coming over here right now,” she half whispers, her gaze shifting to mine.
“Oh shit,” I mutter, ducking my head as I turn back to the bar. “Shit, Mia. Shit. What should I do?”
She lets out a string of laughter. “Oh my god, I’ve never seen you like this before. Just play it cool.”
The bar stool next to me slides backwards and my entire body freezes. I quickly wrap my hand around my glass and take a generous sip as I watch him from the corner of my eye. He’s silent as he sits down and rests his forearms on the bar, lacing his fingers together.
“Hey, Will,” he finally says after a few moments pass. “Looks like I found you.”
My heart is about to beat out of my chest, but I force my lungs to cooperate, slowing my breathing down as I turn to look at him. “I knew you were a smart man.”
“Hm.” A smirk lifts his lips as he nods.
I knew it was a possibility that he’d show up tonight, but I didn’t actually think he’d come. He’s probably just here for a drink or two, not to see me. I bet Finn or Noah will show up any minute to meet up with him.
But what if he did come just for me?
His knee brushes against my thigh and that little bit of contact sends desire coursing straight up my leg to the apex of my thighs.
“Hi, I’m Mia.” My best friend extends her hand to him right in front of me.
“Hi, Mia. It’s so nice to meet you and to put a face to the name.”
“Likewise.” Mia looks at me as she gives his hand a firm shake and winks. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I resist the urge to drive my heel into her shin.
Jace tilts his head to the side. “Is that so?”
“Yep,” Mia says, popping the P as she abruptly rises to her feet. The bartender approaches and steals Jace’s attention, so I spin in my seat to Mia. She sways a little bit as she gains her footing and lets out a laugh. “Oof, I think I should be done drinking.”
“Where are you going?” I ask under my breath.
“To the bathroom and to call Caleb,” she says before she drops her voice lower. “See if he can give us a ride, neither of us should be driving.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re disappearing now on purpose, aren’t you?”
Mia puckers her lips and blows me a kiss as she pulls her phone from her purse. “Love you.”
I’m acutely aware of how close he is, even in my drunken haze. My movements are deliberately slow as I turn back around to face the bar. Heat radiates from his arm as he shifts his weight, leaning closer.
The silence stretches between us and I study his drink as the bartender sets it in front of him.
Jace extends his arm, the cool air in the bar replacing his warmth as he pulls it closer, lifting it to his lips to take a sip.
I can’t quite tell what it is, but I know it’s not his normal choice of beer that I’ve seen him with in the past.
“What are you drinking?” I ask as my curiosity gets the better of me. “I always thought you were more of a beer guy.”
He turns to look at me, his tongue darting out to catch every drop of moisture from his lips as his eyes meet mine. The corners of his mouth lift. “I am.” He pauses, lowering his glass onto the bar. “It’s just soda.”
My eyebrow lifts. “Really?”
He slowly nods. “How did you guys get here?”
“I drove.”
“I’ll drive you both home.” He didn’t even hesitate.
My eyes widen slightly before I lower my brows. “That’s okay, you don’t have to do that.”
I don’t know why I say those stupid words. He doesn’t have to do it, but it would be greatly appreciated. Mia and I are both in no condition to drive and I really don’t feel like calling one of my brothers instead.
“Yeah, I know, but I’m going to.”
Pushing my own drink to the side, I grab my water a little faster than I intend and some of the liquid splashes out over the edge. A chuckle rumbles in Jace’s chest and I blow out a breath that starts out as frustration and a little embarrassment, but quickly dissolves into laughter.
Turning in my seat, I angle my body so I’m half facing him. I take a sip of the ice cold liquid, feeling the coolness as it slides down my throat. Jace stares down at his own drink and I take the moment to drink him in.
His jaw is sharp and defined, a perfect straight line from his neck to his chin. He was blessed with not sustaining any damage to his nose while playing hockey and my eyes trail along the other angled line. The tip bends up, just subtly.
He looks like he was handcrafted and hand carved by one of the most skilled sculptures in history.
“You’re staring, Willow,” he rasps, his voice hoarse as he turns to look at me. Even in my drunken haze, I don’t miss the embers burning in his gaze.
A shiver trails down my spine. “Do you want me to stop?”
His stare is so intense, it ignites the fire in me. “No.”
My gaze doesn’t leave his, even as my heart pounds erratically inside my chest. “You know, I wasn’t so sure you’d come out tonight.”
“Why’s that?”
A simple shrug lifts my shoulder. “I—” I pause, relaxing on a big exhale. “Why would you?”
His eyebrows furrow and tug downward, his body shifting as he slowly leans closer. “I’ll always come find you, Willow.” His gaze drifts down to my mouth. “You know, I’ve always told myself that I’d never—”
A soft, warm body collides with my arm, catching me off guard and breaking the moment. A gasp escapes me and I turn to look at Mia now leaning against me.
“Oh my god,” Mia says, slurring her words as she tips her head onto my shoulder. “Can we go? I don’t mean to be the one who ruins the night, but I think I’ve had too much to drink and I know when it’s time to go to bed.”
Jace chuckles, not missing a beat as he throws a hundred dollar bill on the bar and rises to his feet. “Let’s get you guys home.” He reaches for Mia, pausing as his eyes search her face. “Can I help you?”
A lazy smile lifts her lips. “Please,” she laughs quietly, her eyes shut. “My feet don’t want to cooperate.”
Clearly, I’m not as drunk as her and I’m able to maintain composure on my feet.
Jace helps Mia out of the bar and I stay on her other side, just in case.
My legs aren’t as steady as I wish they would be and I can’t tell if it’s from the alcohol or the way Jace keeps looking at me over the top of my best friend’s head.
Like there’s so much he still wants to say.
And I want to hear whatever it is.