Jade
Kai wasn't feeling well, so I offered to check on the bar and make sure everything was running smoothly. He won't be opening tonight, but at least he'll know his bar is in good hands.
Leigh and Sam wanted to spend time with our kids, so Perrie came with me. She didn't want me to be alone, even though I assured her I was fine. I do appreciate her concern, though.
Right now, she's in the restroom while I'm behind the bar, taking inventory of what's on the shelves. You know, the boring stuff.
The bar is quiet, just the way I used to like it. The muted hum of the fluorescent lights bulbs above me, and the occasional clink of bottles as I count them create a calm atmosphere for me. It's the first time in a while that things feel somewhat normal for me.
"Have I ever told you how good you look from behind?"
Perrie's voice pulls me from my thoughts, her playful comment making me nearly jump out of my skin. I didn't even hear her come back. I turn around, glaring at her.
"Sorry!" She laughs, pulling out a stool to sit down. "I couldn't resist."
Her laughter is like a warm embrace, once again taking me back to simpler times when our biggest worry was getting caught flirting across this very bar.
"You almost gave me a heart attack," I say, shaking my head. "But, thank you."
Her presence comforts me. It's a reminder of the life we've built together, away from all of the chaos that always seems to follow us. She taps her nails on the bar, just like she used to. The sound brings back more memories, making me smile.
"Are you thinking about the old days too?" she asks, smiling.
"Yeah," I reply. "It feels like forever ago."
"Right? I remember those nights I used to come here just to see you," she sighs.
I look at her, sitting there, and more memories flood my mind. The good times here became great times when she started coming around. The nights she'd come to the bar just to see me, the way her shyness made her even more endearing. It was and still is the cutest thing to me. The flirting, the back-and-forth, it was the highlight of my nights.
"Yeah," I smile. "That always made me so happy. I knew you had no real reason to come here every night."
"I was obsessed with you," she says.
"Was?" I raise my eyebrow.
"Oh, I still am. Don't worry," she winks. "You should make me a drink for old time's sake."
"Piña Colada?"
"Yes, please," she says happily. "It's been too long."
"Let me see if I remember how," I say, tapping my chin.
"I can help. You taught me before. Remember?" she asks, and I frown because I don't. Even though I clearly remember being here with her and flirting with her every night, I can't remember ever teaching her to make drinks. My memories are very weird and spotty these days. "That's okay, baby. Can I come over?"
"Yes. Come here," I say, reaching for her.
She hops up on the bar, and I find myself staring at her in those perfectly fitting jeans. She's wearing one of my graphic T-shirts, which looks amazing on her. There's just something about her wearing my clothes that really turns me on. I can't explain it.
"Are you going to help me down?" she asks, swinging her legs back and forth.
"You're wearing Vans," I laugh. "All those other times you needed help, you were wearing heels."
