Jaria happy after

Part 22

"ohh hey it's you!" screamed a bartender from across the bar as she saw Jason walking through the door.
Jason replied "heyy!" more excitedly than he usually would, but the truth is he was already a bit tipsy and the sight of a hot blonde serving beers, made him forget about Aria, at least for a few seconds. "so what's your poison" the blonde winked.

Jason shrugged, the reality hit him, if felt there are oceans between him and Aria, but she's only in New York, he wants her, and a part of him knows that he always will, but Aria doesn't want to pull him down and sacrifice his life prospects just in the name of love. He understands the reasons behind Aria's choices now, after he had a moment to think about it not necessarily sober but calmly at least. 

"okayy beer it is then" then Blonde passed him the drink on a napkin. Jason lifted the beer instantly and took a few gulps, before he felt the fizz go up his nose. He put the beer back down and tried to think of something clever to say to the blonde, he wasn't ready to flirt with anyone else at this point, but a friendly conversation wouldn't hurt he though to himself. 

"sooo ummm ... have you seen deadpool?" Jason imagined slapping himself round the face for saying that. He shook his head and apologized. 
"haha don't be sorry, I actually appreciate it when guys don't just use their lame pick up lines for once" she giggled. 
"umm I wasn't, ... I wasn't flirting I was.." Jason struggled for words. 
"chill" she laughed.
"I'm usually way more confident than this" he explained. 
The girl leaned on the counter, only inches away from his face "I know i used to have a crush on you back in high school" she then put a finger over his mouth and made a shushing sound. Jason backed up, nearly falling of his stool. He was intrigued, but way out of his comfort zone.

The blonde served a few other people, whilst Jason tried to memorise where he knows the bartender from. He'll be leaving her a tip for sure! Jason was so deep in thought he hasn't realised he took his beer glass to refill it again. He brushed his golden hair with his hand trying to think harder, he looked down at the counter and saw the napkin from earlier. 

Mandy 555-432-543

Jason felt as if a lightbulb appeared above his head. "Mandy right? We had chemistry together!" Jason announced proudly reliving where he knew the girl from. 
"Well I kept wishing we had chemistry together to be honest" Mandy joked and this earned a laugh from Jason. 

The evening went along smoothly, Mandy and Jason filling each other in on what they have been up to after high school. Jason didn't mention -A, and gladly Mandy didn't ask, although everybody in Rosewood knew. Mandy told him a few stories about adventures she's been on and one thing lead to another.