Heat in the Hamptons

Chapter 2

4 Years Prior

Addison squeezed her eyes shut, one hand coming to press against her throbbing head. The other leaned against the bar, supporting her weight as she fought off the dizziness that came with her migraines.

It was a stress migraine, she always got them this time of month. It was the end of February and she was worried about paying rent for March. What a bitch it is that February rent is just as expensive as every other month, even though it's shorter than the rest.

She did live in an amazing apartment in Manhattan, but it was an apartment she bought when she worked in corporate America, making far more money than she does now. But she couldn't handle working long hours for someone who didn't even know her name, wasting away her life when the only thing she wanted to do was write.

She preferred to work in this family owned bar most nights of the week, it allowed her to write as much as she was able to. Plus, she usually got great tips.

Even though it was a family owned bar, it definitely wasn't a dive. It was well kept, offered great food that Addison ate way too many days a week, and offered a few billiards tables and dart boards. A lot of suits came into the bar after work, Wall Street or business guys who came to let off steam after a long day.

And to flirt with Addison.

"Rough day?" A voice in front of her startled Addison. She jumped and laughed awkwardly.

She looked up and saw a man in a navy blue suit sit down on the barstool across from where she stood behind the bar.

He was smiling at her, a big smile that reached his eyes.

"Just a migraine," she responded. "What can I get you?"

"A beer is fine for now, might as well pace myself because I know when my buddy gets here he'll have us taking shots." He said, shaking his head. His eyes were bright blue and his shaggy black hair curled slightly around his forehead.

She asked what kind of beer he'd like, naming a few bottled and draft options.

"Whatever you like." He said, smiling that smile at her again.

She felt herself start to blush and turned away before it was too obvious.

She began to fill his glass with her favorite stout, the dark beer shot out of the tap looking soft, the way liquid does when it's poured.

Most guys that come in here flirt with her, and she usually takes it in stride. Throwing winks and witty remarks with a smile, flirting gets you better tips. And it's harmless. But she was never really interested in them.

She turned and dropped a napkin in front of the man and set the beer on top.

"Let me know what you think." She said, smiling at him.

The corner of his mouth lifted as he raised the glass, trying it as she organized some items behind the bar.

"I think you're trying to get me drunk." He joked.

Addison shot him a mischievous smile and then feigned shock. "Of course not! It's only 10% ABV."

"Jokes aside, it's a great beer." He asked for the name and as she gave it to him.

"Do you want to start a tab?" She asked him.

"Sure thing, Addison." The way he said her name made her heart flutter. For a moment she wondered how he knew her name, then remembered she was wearing a name tag. She smiled and reached for his card when he offered it.

Their hands touched, his was warm and inviting.

She gave him a soft smile as she took his card. She walked to the other end of the bar to place it in the register. She couldn't help but take a peek at the name before she put it away:

"Noah!"

The pounding started on the patio door just seconds after Noah and Addison had crossed the threshold and slammed it shut. Noah almost hesitated in locking it, so used to Megan following him into their home, but this time he turned the deadbolt.

Tears filled his eyes as he watched Megan beat the glass, pleading with him to let her in so she could explain.

James stood a few feet away, looking defeated. There was no reason to continue screaming for Addison, she clearly wouldn't listen to him today.

But he didn't leave, and Addison couldn't look at him anymore.

Addison put her hand on the curtain, "Noah, can I—" he had already grabbed the partnering curtain and pulled it to the middle as Addison met his hand, doing the same.

The crying outside didn't stop, but as Noah and Addison turned to look at each other it seemed to almost dull down.

He searched her eyes in desperation as his own looked at her through a sea of tears.

"Addison, what happened?"

And then she broke.