Truth Sets You Free

Chapter 10

"Bella." I introduce myself, extending my hand to him. He surprises me by bringing my hand up to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. Alright then.

"It's a pleasure, Bella." He says with a smile before releasing my hand and turning to the bartender. "Another water for the lovely lady."

The man nods and takes the hose from beneath the bar to refill my glass. As he does that Derek looks back at me.

"So is the lovely lady here alone tonight, or am I going to have to fight another man for your attention?"

I let out a small laugh, trying not to blush. This man is being extremely charming, but he's harmless. "The only person you'll have to fight for my attention is that one." I point my finger to the dance floor where Jessica has her hands down on the floor in front of her as she rubs up against her boyfriend's front.

Derek raises an eyebrow at me, clearly making the wrong assumption about my relationship with Jessica, which causes me to giggle.

"That's my best friend." I clarify. "Grinding on her boyfriend. I'm the awkward third wheel."

"Well, I can change that." He lowers his voice, leaning his face in closer to me.

"Actually, you can't." I stop him by leaning back in my seat to create some distance. "The only person that can is my boyfriend who's two hours away beating the crap out of someone and ignoring my calls."

I didn't mean to snap on the stranger. He's just being friendly. I guess I didn't realize how annoyed I am with Harry's inability to answer the phone or just shoot me a text saying 'okay.' I know he had to train tonight, but I wasn't aware that that took six hours, which is how long it's been since I arrived at Jessica's.

"I'm sorry." I say with a sigh when I notice Derek's frown.

"No, I get it." He nods. "Boyfriend drama...just my luck."

His demeanor seems to fall as he drops his gaze from mine. The same gaze that has been locked on me since he first came over here. Was he actually planning to make a move on me before I mentioned Harry?

"Hey." Jessica's voice chimes from beside me. Ryan's next to her with his arm slung over her shoulder. They're both covered in a thin layer of sweat from dancing. She glances at Derek before looking back at me. "Come dance with me."

"Oh...I don't know—" Before I can even get a sentence out, Jessica grabs my wrist and pulls me to my feet.

I follow her to the dance floor, looking back over my shoulder to see Ryan taking a seat where I was previously sitting. Derek has already stood up and made his way back across the room. I try to see where he's going, but I lose sight of him in the crowd.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jessica asks angrily once we start dancing in the middle of a group of sweaty people.

"What do you mean?"

"Who the hell was that guy? Because correct me if I'm wrong, but it was not Harry."

I frown. "So what. I wasn't doing anything. He came over to me and started talking to me, that's it." Jessica doesn't say anything, but I can tell that she isn't over it. "Jessica, if you judge me any harder, you're gonna need a lawyer."

"I'm not judging you." She says right away, shaking her head and putting her hands on my shoulders while we dance.

"Jessica." I push.

"Okay, fine. I'm just trying to figure out why you've got your flirt on and turned all the way up."

"My...my flirt?" I ask in disbelief with a small laugh. "What are you talking about?"