“Feel like doing something this weekend? Maybe not a barbecue though, and you definitely can’t set me up with another one of your paralegals. I want to get out, though,” I told him.
“Hell yeah! How about we go get a few drinks after work tonight? It’s been a hell of a week, and I for one could use a drink,” he said.
I thought about it and remembered that it was a school night. I rolled my eyes at myself; I wasn’t not twelve after all. I could go out on a school night if I liked. One of the perks of being a grownup and all.
“Yeah, that sounds good. Not Chico’s, though,” I quickly added. I don’t want to risk running into Tessa. I’m going out with the sole intention of exorcising her from my head.
“That’s fine; I know a few other places. How about I pick you up at seven? I’ll bring an Uber so we can both drink,” he joked.
“Sounds good. I’ll be ready,” I told him, feeling better now that I had a plan in place. Hopefully, I will find a charming woman who I will fall madly, deeply in love with, and forget all about the sexy little assistant who has taken up residence in my head.
With the last class of the day done, I headed home and got ready for another night out. I was hoping this one ended a little better than the barbecue. Jake and his driver showed up about fifteen minutes early and before I knew it, we were being whisked away to another spot Jake claimed was clean, quiet and a hot spot for more mature ladies.
“I’m glad you called,” Jake said, sitting down at a table on the covered patio. “There is hope for you yet.”
I hoped so, but wasn’t quite so sure. I didn’t think Jake would think so either if he knew I had been lusting after my young assistant, who happened to be a student at the school I worked for. I’m sure there was a law he would quote.
“Thanks for being so patient with me, but I swear to God, if you try and set me up again, I will definitely kill you.”
He smiled, feigned innocence, then put his hand over his heart and said, “I would never do such a thing.”
I eyed him, suddenly suspicious. “Don’t tell me one of your paralegals is going to accidentally run into us while we’re here.”
He chuckled. “No. Just relax. I had to try, and Megan is a beautiful woman. You have to admit that, at least.”
“Yeah, she is, but not my type,” I said.
“You don’t have a type,” he shot back.
I had to bite my tongue. It seemed I did have a type, but not one he needed to know about.
“I’m exploring my options,” I said, holding back a laugh.
“Works for me. Geez, I need to eat something. Want to split an appetizer with me?” he asked.
“Sure. Something salty and greasy preferably.”
He rolled his eyes. “We’re in a bar. Is there anything but?”
I sometimes forgot Jake was only twenty-seven. . Grownups occasionally eat real food while they drink. Not that I would know, but I remembered Miriam always trying to pressure me into being more dignified. She loathed the idea of hot wings or cheese sticks.
“Jalapeno poppers,” I blurted out, suddenly remembering they had been my favorite snack to go with my beer back before Miriam nearly dragged me to the altar.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” My brother grinned, waving the waitress over.
We ended up ordering far more food than I could imagine the two of us eating, but I was excited to try it all. It had been a long time since I sat in a bar, drinking and stuffing my face with food that would probably make me sick. I was looking forward to every bite.
I noticed Jake jerking his head, motioning to the empty table beside us, but he wasn’t looking at me.
“What are you doing?” I said, turning to see what or who he was looking at.
My heart skipped a beat when my eyes landed on Tessa and her friend. I looked back at Jake who was grinning like a fool.
“What the hell?” I muttered. Did Jake know about Tessa? How? How could he possibly know? When the two women looked towards the bar, I breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t gesturing to them. I couldn’t help but stare at her. I had come here to escape her, yet here she was. It was seriously beginning to feel as if fate was truly trying to put us together. How else could anyone explain why we managed to end up in the same places? I watched her move, weaving between tables. She was smiling as she chatted with her friend. There was no doubt in my mind that she was the most stunning woman I had ever met in my life. Beauty, brains, and wit all in one perfect package.
Chapter Twenty
Tessa