Chapter 9
Addison
I tried to find a comfortable position. It’s not my seat, it was the damn dress.
I swear, I just needed to accept that I was a size up and buy some new clothes.
Squeezing into dresses and skirts felt like a workout each morning.
I practically rearranged my insides to fit in this black dress.
It felt far too sexy for drinks with my coworkers, but I wasn’t sure of the dress code here.
As I looked around, I saw other women wearing similar attire, all cozied up to men twice their age in suits.
It made me feel even more uncomfortable.
I pulled at the hem of my dress to cover more leg, but ended up showing more cleavage.
I couldn’t win. Giving up, I signaled for the bartender to come give my self-consciousness some relief.
She was stunning with her light, warm hair and tiny cocktail dress. I couldn’t help but stare and when she was in front of me, I realized I didn’t even know what I wanted to drink. I just knew I needed one.
“What can I get you, hun?” she asked.
“Ummm…I-I’m sorry. I didn’t get a chance to look at a drink menu.”
She reached under the counter and slid one over. “First time here?” she asked.
It must have been obvious.
I nodded as my eyes skimmed the menu.
“Might I suggest our Cosmopolitan? It has passionfruit-infused vodka and a champagne float. It’s a popular choice.”
“Sure, I’ll have that.”
For that price, I might as well have two drinks in one. I handed her back the menu and glanced toward the door. I wondered where my coworkers were. I checked the time on my phone. It was nearly 6:30 p.m. I drummed my fingertips on the bar top and glanced around the place.
It was beautiful. The lights were dim but warm, casting an orange glow over the tables.
It felt incredibly intimate in here with small tables and corner booths.
I could see why these men brought their dates here.
You had no choice but to be pressed up against one another with a fancy cocktail in hand.
My eyes grazed to the end of the bar where they stopped suddenly on none other than Daniel Jacobs. I sucked in a quick breath and looked down at the bar top, hoping he didn’t see me, even though I could feel his gaze on me.
Please, don’t come over. Please, don’t come over, I thought.
I wasn’t sure I could handle being in his presence, especially if I had a drink in me.
It would only lower my guard. With him, my guard was already practically at my feet.
The last thing I needed to do was feel tipsy and brave, leading me to fail at flirting with a guy who was practically engaged and had no interest in me.
The pretty bartender slid my drink toward me. It looked beautiful. I didn’t think cocktails could be that pretty. It was pink and bubbly and had edible flowers floating on top of the champagne.
“Thank you,” I said, admiring it.
“Would you like to start a tab?” she asked.
“This one is on me,” Daniel said. “In fact, all of her drinks are on me.”
He was right beside me and I could smell his cologne, and it screamed expensive and incredibly sexy. I hadn’t noticed it during the whole two times I had seen him. I suddenly wanted it on my skin, so I could bring it home with me.
I turned to him and feigned surprise. “Daniel,” I said, putting my hand to my heart for effect. “What a surprise.”
“A pleasant one, I hope,” he quipped, raising an eyebrow.
Very.
“Thank you for the drink. You didn’t have to do that.”
He waved me off, like it was no problem at all. He probably did this for everyone. You’re not special, I reminded myself. He lifted up his glass. I lifted mine to meet his and listened as they clinked lightly together.
“Cheers to a fate,” he said, his eyes intently focused on mine.
I’m not sure what he meant by that, but it sounded awfully flirtatious. I ignored it.
“And cheers to your new girlfriend,” I said with a curt nod.
It sounded snarkier than I intended. I hoped he couldn’t sense the icy notes of jealousy that spilled off my tongue.
Oof. I hadn’t even had a sip of my drink yet.
I broke his gaze, and looked toward the bottles of liquor lined on the shelves at the back of the bar.
I lifted my glass to my lips and took a long, heavenly sip.
The drink was sweet and strong. I was in trouble.
Daniel looked ahead, too, taking a long pull of his amber-colored drink. There was a moment of awkward silence before he spoke again.
“She’s not my girlfriend, just so you know.” There was a gruffness to his voice, and I couldn’t tell if he was upset or angry. I found his voice rumbling in my core.
“Oh, I’m sorry. The papers…”
“Fuck the papers.”
Oh, he was angry. And was a hot kind of angry. I took another long sip of my drink, the bubbles dancing their way down my throat.
“Sorry,” he said, turning to me.
“It’s fine. It’s none of my business.”
I hadn’t turned to face him, but I could feel his eyes on me. It felt like there were words he was holding in his throat, like he was afraid to set them free just yet. I was afraid, too, because they could possibly undo me.
I looked toward the door, hoping my friends had finally arrived to save me from whatever this situation was. I didn’t see them. I let out a sigh of frustration.
“Are you waiting for someone?” asked Daniel curiously, following my gaze to the door.
“Yeah, but they’re late.”
“Is it a date?”
I looked at him, surprised that he’d asked that.
“Um, no. It’s my coworker’s birthday.”
Was it just me, or did he look relieved? That drink was playing tricks on me.
I reached in my purse. “I’m just going to text her.”
Daniel nodded and stood next to me patiently. I noticed he hadn’t taken a seat, but he still lingered beside me. I wasn’t complaining, though. He was here. And he wasn’t with that snooty girl after all.
I typed out a quick text to Shelley.
Me: Where are you? I’m at Bemelman’s.
Shelley: Oh, shit, Heart. I thought Brian told you I was sick.
Me: He did, but I thought you were just playing hooky.
Shelley: I wish. I’m so sorry! Raincheck?
I looked down at my phone before locking it, the screen going dark. I was here alone. Well, not entirely alone. Daniel was here, but I still felt so out of place. I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought of what to do next.
“Is she not coming?” he asked, leaning against the bar.
“Um, no. I guess not. She’s sick.”
I looked down at my half-full drink. Part of me wanted to chug it and get the hell out of there, but part of me wanted to stay.
“Would you like to join us?” asked Daniel, gesturing toward his friend at the other end of the bar. I peeked over and saw him flirting with the pretty bartender.
“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t want to intrude.”
“I insist.”
Daniel held out his hand and looked at me expectantly.
Before I placed my hand in his, I braced myself for that familiar feeling I got when our hands touched.
When my palm met his, there it was. This time it ran across my skin like tiny electric kisses.
He helped me down from the barstool and I trailed behind him holding his hand, balancing my drink in my other.
“Freddy. I’d like you to meet Addison,” said Daniel as we sat down.
“Addison, huh? Nice to meet you,” replied Freddy, holding out his hand.
“Likewise,” I said, shaking his hand firmly.
It was an entirely different feeling than having Daniel’s hand in mine.
“So, how do you two know each other?” asked Freddy, pointing between the two of us.
“Addison here works at the nonprofit, Leading to Learn. They’re doing amazing things. I’ve decided to become a donor.”
“Which we are very grateful for. Thank you,” I added.
Daniel looked to my drink, and signaled for the bartender.
“Can we get another round, please?”
“Of course, Mr. Jacobs.”
I noticed her eyes linger a little too long and the careful batting of her eyelashes. Could I blame her? He probably had that effect on everyone. I noticed he seemed unfazed as he turned back to me.
“So, do you usually come to Bemelman’s on a Wednesday night?”
“No. Never. This is my first time here.”
“Well, lucky us,” said Freddy with a grin.
“Lucky us,” Daniel agreed.
The bartender brought over another round of drinks, even though I hadn’t finished my first one yet.
I gulped it down in two sips. If I thought I was in trouble before, I certainly was now.
There was a reckless feeling coming over me.
I didn’t know if it was the vodka and champagne, or the way it felt like I was living a double life in this fancy bar, or being in this close of proximity to the powerful force of Daniel Jacobs. Probably a combination of all three.
“How do you two know each other?” I asked, looking at Freddy, and carefully avoiding looking at Daniel.
“We grew up together,” he said. “Childhood buddies.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. And what do you do, Freddy?”
“I’m an OBGYN. If you ever need one, here’s my card,” he said, flipping open his wallet and handing a matte white card to me.
“Er, thank you.” I couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“Seriously, man?” Daniel asked.
I could see his cheeks had turned a rosy pink, which made me giggle more. Daniel Jacobs, uncomfortable? Never thought I’d see the day.
“What?” Freddy shrugged.
Daniel shook his head and took a sip of his drink. He turned his back to Freddy, who was back to flirting with the bartender.
“Sorry,” he mouthed.
I waved him off. “It’s fine,” I whispered.
I felt his knee graze against mine and stay there. I sucked in a quiet breath as his eyes traveled to where our bodies touched. They stayed there for a minute before finding mine again. They looked icy blue, which was a stark contrast to the dim, yellow lighting of the bar.
“You look really nice tonight, in case I hadn’t told you,” he said.
I realized I had been holding my breath.
“Thank you,” I let out breathlessly.
Freddy slapped the bar with the palm of his hand, breaking whatever trance I was in. I jumped a little in my seat and curiously looked over.
“Sorry. Stocks took a dive.” He glanced up from his phone.
Daniel took in a frustrated breath through his nose and turned his back to me. I saw something register on Freddy’s face, and wondered what silent exchange had just occurred. Freddy yawned dramatically and stretched his back.
“I think I’m going to call it a night, you two,” he said, tossing a few hundred-dollar bills on the bar top. “It was nice to meet you, Addison.”
He patted Daniel on the back, and just like that, he was gone, and I was suddenly very aware of how I somehow ended up alone at a bar with Daniel Jacobs.