Forbidden (JAY HALSTEAD)

Always

"On the house!" Otis shouts. He places 7 shot glasses in the middle of the table and leans in and whispers, "just don't tell Hermann I said that"

"We never heard you say anything" Ruzek snatches up a shot glass and washes it down.

Otis laughs. "Hey if y'all need anything else let me know" he grins to all of us and heads back to the bar.

"I am so glad I'm not working tonight" Sylvie sighs and reaches for a glass. Kim passes the rest of the glasses around the table.

"Cheers" Kelly raises his glass. We all raise ours and look to Ruzek who was the only one left out. He raises his shoulders. Everyone laughs, our shot glasses clink and in harmony all throw our head back as we let the alcohol run down our throat burning. My face twists up.

"Oooff" Sylvie breathes out. "That was strong" she says and we all laugh in agreement.

I look at the time on my phone. Two hours have flied by. The night has been fun I didn't notice the time passing by. What I do notice is how tipsy I feel.

"Ayla you okay?" Sylvie asks me. I look at her and nod my answer.

"Yeah, yeah. Um, I had fun tonight guys but I think it's time for me to head out" I grab my coat that was wrapped around my chair and throw it around me as I slide out of my chair. A few groans come from the table.

"Nooo come on, have another round with us" Ruzek throws his hands up in the air, "I'll buy" he offers.

Jay and Kim both burst into laughter and Ruzek looks offended.

"I'll pass but thank you. I'll see you guys around" I work my way around saying my goodbyes to everyone.

"Call me when you get home" Sylvie demands.

"Yes ma'am" I chuckle. I wave to Hermann and Otis as I walk towards the door.

"Be safe kiddo" Hermann calls out.
"Always" I say to him before I walk out of Molly's.

The air outside is warm. I breathe in and close my eyes for a moment. My mouth twists up into a smile.

Footsteps sound behind me followed by the sound of the door to Mollys closing. My eyes remain closed.

"You alright?" Jay Halstead asks. I tilt my head all the way back and open my eyes.

"You're upside down" I say to him. A grin spreads across his lips.

"Yeah, probably because you're looking at me upside down" he says matter of factly. "Hey, are you okay to drive yourself?" He asks. I raise my shoulders.

"Let me give you a ride" he says when I don't say anything.

"Are you hungry, Halstead?" I face him and he's upright. He raises his brow in question.

"Am I hungry?"
"I'm starving. A burger sounds reaaaallly good right now" An image of a double cheeseburger pops up in my mind.

"We can stop by fat jacks. I don't think they close until midnight anyways soooo" Jay looks down to the black watch on his wrist. I'm too tipsy to make out the brand. "We got about 10 minutes. Come on" he nods his head across the street to where his Jeep is parked.

"It's okay, I'll walk myself"
"No, you won't. Plus, a burger does sound good right about now. My treat" He walks past me and starts crossing the street. Jay turns his head and gives me an expectant look.

I just stood there watching him cross the street. Then my feet start moving in the direction of the Jeep.

**