Perhaps

Chapter 1

"It's so great to meet you!!" I squealed as I tightly squeezed what I felt was my new best friend. "You too! I feel so welcomed" Jeanne exclaimed as she reached for Declan's hand as we all examined our empty sushi plates. Declan and Jeanne look adorable together. I could have never imagined a better match for him than Jeanne.

"I am so glad you could join us for dinner before you guys move to Texas," Jade said. "We would have been so sad if we missed you! Ava and I always chat about how we miss Declan and how much we've been dying to meet THE Jeanne."

I love my friends. We have been so tight since high school and we are always there for each other. It was always so great to see them every break we had throughout college. We all expected everyone to move back to the city. Then, Declan met Jeanne and life happens. Her mom is sick, and they moving from Los Angeles to Texas to be with Jeanne's family. We have only heard about Jeanne and the way Declan looks at her, is something I rarely see. They definitely seem like end game, and I am not an optimist when it comes to love.

Jade has already moved back home and I hope to move back soon too. Jade just graduated from art school, and now every time I see her her hair is a different color. Though we're polar opposites she's my best friend.

As the waiter came with the check, Declan and I both reached for it. "Av, I got it."

"Can I at least get dessert?" I questioned. Declan and I just always had an understanding of each other. He understands I am asking out of care and love.

"Ava, it's on me. I promise you'll get me back one day. It's my pleasure," he assured as he placed his hand on top of mine. I made eye contact with my friend, and backed off.

Jeanne nuzzled into Dec as Jade explained her new upcoming project she was working on when Declan received a phone call. The conversation went silent.

"Yep...totally, uh...." Declan hesitated as he looked at Jeanne. "We're downtown....ya send send me your location.....mind if I bring a few friends?....ok....see you soon."

"Who was that, babe?" Jeanne asked Declan. His forehead was filled with worry, his big eyebrows squishing closer together. "That was Harry. He invited all of us to join him at a nearby bar," he said as took another sip of his beer. Jade immediately grasped my thigh like a ghost scared her.

Jeanne didn't think anything of it. She nuzzled back into Declan, just the way she was before with her head resting on his shoulder. "I guess we should wake up! Coffee anyone?" she asked. Her and Declan debated on what kind of coffee we should be looking for and I got lost in their conversation between Starbucks and Caribou.

Jade squeezed my hand and declared "We'll be right back, ladies room!" and before I knew it we were weaving in and out of people and tables and plates of California rolls and sake.

She nearly took down the door of the bathroom "AVA! We have to make sure you look okay"

"Okay, what for??" I said. I was confused. What's the nervous, rushed energy for? "Do I not look okay right now?" I questioned.

Jade was wiping the leftover mascara from under my eyes and swiftly pulled out a lip balm from her purse. "Harry's friends Ava Wava. I hear they're cute, but only for a quick hookup." Harry was Declan's twin. They are fraternal, and Harry never hung out with us in high school because he was too cool and a big ladies man. I haven't seen him since.

I have never been a person to go out of my way to impress people, but maybe that's why I didn't have many boyfriends and Jade has had a lot. I have never judged her for it, she just finds it fun to be in relationships and finds it easy to get in them. I never have.

She pulled my boobs up "Hey!" I exclaimed. I looked in the mirror and pulled them back in. "I am not looking for a hookup or anything of the matter. What will be, will be." I shrugged, but she continued to try to contain my long curly hair.

"I hear that group is bad news, but not bad to look at," Jade continued. "I hear they're a bunch of cheaters, and pick the wrong fights...but if it doesn't work out with them, there's a whole bar full of guys, right?" She took my face in her hands and I couldn't decide if I felt more like a pufferfish or her barbie doll. She did have good skills with makeup from being an artist. "There!" she said as she turned me towards the mirror to show off her masterpiece.

"Thanks J, but whatever happens, happens. No expectations ever. Plus, I don't think Declan would be too thrilled. " I turned and put on a smile to my best friend. It was very sweet of her to think of me, but I can tell I disappointed her a little. I never mean to, I just don't have much hope in men.

"I know, I know" she went on, "I just wanted you to be happy like Ian and I, and now Declan and Jeanne...but let's go back out before they think one of us fell in." She laughed and took my hand again and led me out.

"You guys ready? We ordered a car to take us!" Jeanne exclaimed. She seemed the most excited out of all of us. She gave Declan a quick peck and rushed down the steps of the restaurant and he followed.

*****

"Right hand, ma'am," the bouncer said as I entered the bar.

"Oops, sorry" and I took back my left and gave him my right. He stamped it and I saw Jeanne and Declan run to the mechanical bull in the corner. Jade make a bee-line to the bar and I followed.

"Two vodka redbulls, please!" Jade screamed over the music to the bartender.

I mouthed thank you as we danced our way to the dance floor. Jade and I never cared what any one thought of us on the dance floor, we often got compliments from people when we went out to dance but we never knew if they were sincere or joking.

I noticed both of us finished our drinks and I nodded toward the bar signaling to her I was getting us the second round.

I squeezed my way as close as I could to the bar but this group of guys blocked by way. They didn't seem to budge. I'm short, so I stood there continuously getting bumped into their harder bodies by the other people passing by. Frustrated I gave a big sigh knowing no bartender would see me.

"What is your iss-"

A drink spilled down the front of me. I looked up, assuming to find someone apologetic, but it was a guy paused, eyes locked on my chest.

"Hello, there" he smirked.