“The famous…or perhaps infamous Mr. Wild.” Candace gave Jason a chastising look, lips pursed and eyebrows raised.
“Just Jason is fine,” he replied, his lips curved in an amused smile. He looked casual and spectacular in a long-sleeved gray V-neck, his long, lean legs clad in black pants. “It’s great to meet you at last, Candace. Daphne has told me wonderful things about you.”
“Hmm,” she scoffed, but she was smiling. “He’s a charmer,” she said to me.
“I’m helplessly charmed.” I laughed. There were people all around her apartment, a vastly different scene from the last time I was there when I’d been crying my eyes out over Jason. I’d forgotten all that, but Candace wasn’t as eager to let it go.
“Daphne is a great girl,” she told Jason. “You take care of her, okay?”
He nodded and met my eyes. “Like my life depends on it.”
I swallowed, melting sweetly under his tender gaze. Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away from his. “Where’s Janice?” I asked.
“Somewhere around,” Candace said. “She’s reading tonight, so her nervous artist persona is out in full force.” She laughed fondly. “Let me get you two some drinks.”
“I’ll come.”
In the attached dining room, boxes filled with ice and wine coolers sat on the sturdy dining table. I grabbed two chilled bottles.
“He can’t take his eyes off you,” Candace said, sneaking a glance at Jason. “I think I’m leaning toward believing he deserves you.”
“Leaning? Really?” I smirked. “He’s a great guy, he loves me, and I’m crazy about him.”
“Well obviously you’re crazy about him—you’re floating on some planet above nine.”
I sighed. “You don’t have to keep worrying about me, Candace. What happened before…it was all a big misunderstanding.”
She nodded and started to say something but stopped when Janice appeared at the front of the living room, standing on a makeshift platform that had been placed in front of the TV to create a stage. She looked stunning, as usual.
“Hey, everyone. Okay. Today we’re starting with a song from my very dear friend, Gary Andrews.” She gestured at a burly guy in a white t-shirt and jeans, and he walked up to her, a guitar in his hand.
“I’d better get back to Jason,” I told Candace.
She waved me off, her eyes fixed on Janice.
“Hey, sexy.” I smiled coyly when I reached where he was standing. “Care for a drink…and some company?”
He chuckled. “I don’t mind the drink, but I’m waiting on my girlfriend and trying to listen to Gary Andrews here. I don’t want to be distracted.”
“Are you calling me distracting?” I whispered as Gary played a few chords on his guitar.
Jason grabbed my waist and pulled me to him, my back to his front. “Very distracting, and very sexy,” he whispered in my ear.
I chuckled and handed him the drink then we settled in to listen while Gary sang a sweet love song.
You’re everything I thought I’d never deserve.
You’re everything I hoped I would find.
You give me life.
You give me breath,
And there’s nothing I won’t do
To make you see
That this is forever