Second Chance Boyfriend

stages.”
    “Sounds amazing,” I say weakly, because it does. This guy is ambitious as hell and I can’t help but admire him.
    “It will be, trust me.” The grin he flashes me is so bright it momentarily blinds me. “Now get back out there and help Jen. We have three reservations tonight, all big parties.”
    Groaning, I stand and hurry out of his office, my feet already aching, and I haven’t even really started working yet.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Do you work tomorrow?”
    I grab my purse out of the locker I stashed it in and shut the metal door with a loud clang. I’m exhausted. Tonight’s shift was rough and I can’t wait to go home and collapse into bed. “No, thank God.”
    “Me either. Look.” Jen glances around, as if she’s afraid someone’s going to catch us talking. Weird, considering we’re all alone in the room. “There have been some things going on in my life and I’m dying to go out and blow off my steam, you know? So you want to go with me tomorrow night and grab some drinks? Maybe have a girls’ night out?”
    My first response is to say no. I don’t want to miss out on one night with Drew, which is ridiculous and needy, but damn it, he only just came back into my life. I want to spend every moment I have with him.
    Then I catch the look on Jen’s face, the worry and need in her gaze. Does she not have any other friends to ask? Or is she just like me, with really no friends at all?
    “Sure,” I say before I can talk myself out of it. “Where do you want to go?”
    The smile that appears is worth my few hours away from Drew. I think this girl needs my friendship more than I realize. “I don’t know, La Salle’s?”
    I smack her lightly on the arm. “Good one. I don’t think so.”
    “How about Jake’s? It’s always hopping.”
    “Well…you do realize I’m underage.” I used to have a fake ID but I lost it. After that bouncer guy made me sign a piece of paper to make sure the signature matched that one night about a year ago when I was with some loser dude on a date, and it didn’t match? I was done for. He snatched that license from me and I haven’t bothered to find another one since. “So I’m not much fun on the go-out-and-get-drinks deal.”
    Jen laughed and shook her head. “I forgot. You act so much older than twenty, you know? You’re like an old soul.”
    “I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.” I wrinkle my nose.
    She laughs some more. “It’s definitely a compliment. We can go out to dinner. I’ll drink and you can watch me.”
    “Ooh, sounds fun,” I say sarcastically but I really do mean it.
    “I’ll text you details tomorrow.” Jen slings her purse over her shoulder, studying me. “You don’t mind, do you? I know you have that guy in your life now.”
    I squirm, suddenly uncomfortable. I’m not prepared to talk about Drew with anyone yet. “I can stand to be away from him for a few hours.” Maybe.
    “Are you sure?” Her gentle voice and twinkling eyes tell me she’s teasing, but I also wonder if she’s worried I’ll bail on her for a guy, which I have no plans in doing so. Drew and I don’t need to spend every waking moment together.
    Though sometimes it sure feels like we do. Being away from him is hard. Silly, considering he’s been back in my life for only a matter of days, but we share such an intense connection, it’s hard to ignore it.
    “By the dreamy look on your face, I’m going to guess this guy must be pretty special.” Jen nudges me. “You can tell me all about him tomorrow night.”
    “Yeah,” I agree with a laugh but I doubt I will.
    What I share with Drew is still a little too special to blab about with my new friend.
     
    Drew
     
    I watch Fable exit the restaurant. She’s with the same girl who worked with her the night of Logan’s party. Tall with dark hair and olive skin, she’s the complete opposite of Fable in every way. It’s sort of funny, watching them talk animatedly with each other. A yin to each other’s yang.
    My heart squeezes in my chest when I see Fable laugh and shake her head. She looks happy. The happiest I’ve ever seen her. I’d like to think I’m responsible for some of that happiness.
    I know she’s made me the happiest I’ve ever been.
    She waves goodbye to her friend and walks across the parking lot toward my truck. I’m struck anew with how beautiful she is, the smile I see growing on her face as she comes closer. She’s wearing those damn