Free Clean Slate (New Mafia Trilogy #2) by E. J. Fechenda

took our drink orders. He
scrutinized our driver’s licenses. When he returned with a bottle of wine, I
ordered one of my favorite entrées. From the first forkful, I couldn’t help but
compare the eggplant parmesan to Dominic’s aunt and uncle’s recipe. There was
no comparison; the sauce here had a metallic aftertaste, like it came from a
can. Uncle Franco and Aunt Gloria’s sauce was always homemade with chunks of
tomato, onion and garlic swimming in the thick gravy. I was hungry so I ate, but
didn’t dive in with my usual gusto.
    After dinner we went downstairs
to the bar. It was set up like a jazz club with bistro tables scattered
casually about. Candles flickered on the table tops. This along with gas
lanterns on the brick walls were the only light source. The low ceilings added
to the intimate, grotto-like atmosphere.
    We ordered cocktails
and the waitress quickly returned with our drinks. She kept glancing over at
Jason and bent lower so her chest was eye level, but only when placing his drink
down. Even though Jason and I were just friends, the waitress pissed me off. It
was brazen of her especially the way his arm was draped across the back of my
chair. We could have been a couple for all she knew. I leaned closer to Jason
and placed my hand on his knee. He looked down at me and smiled, not once
establishing eye contact with the waitress. Chelsea, who rarely missed
anything, gave me a knowing wink before turning her attention back to Derek.
    While we were sitting
there, a band began setting up on a small stage by the dance floor. Once they
warmed up, they began playing oldies from the fifties and sixties. Jason stood
and offered me his hand, which I accepted and he pulled me onto the dance
floor. Derek and Chelsea were right behind us and I give my best friend credit,
this was not at all like the scene at Dirty. When the band started playing
Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin, Jason gathered me in his arms and spun me
around. When he set me down, I placed my head against his chest. He smelled like
citrus and cedar.
                “Any more unexpected visitors?” He whispered in my ear.
    I started to tense up
and he immediately began to massage my lower back. “No, I think he got the
hint.”
                “Good, I’m here for you, you know that, right?” I nodded
and inhaled his scent again, relaxing even further against his sturdy chest. We
stayed close like that until the band took a break. Since Chelsea had to be at
work early in the morning, we left. Jason held my hand as we walked to the car
and didn’t let go until we were back at the apartment.
    Chelsea and Derek
quickly abandoned us, disappearing into her bedroom, leaving Jason I standing
in the entryway. We stared awkwardly at each other until Jason took a step
forward, closing the distance between us. Slowly, giving me all the opportunity
in the world to back away, he lowered his mouth to mine.
    We were both breathless
when we separated. “I think it’s safe to say we’re gravitating towards FWB
status,” Jason teased and kissed the tip of my nose.
                “I blame the dress,” I said and consumed his lips again
before we moved into the living room.
    Chelsea and Derek were
behind closed doors probably doing what Jason and I were about to do. I fell
backwards on the futon, pulling Jason with me.   This time my body responded. Every nerve ending was humming and my heart
was pounding with anticipation.
    We had reached that
point where we could either stop and preserve our friendship or cross over the
line into something more. Jason stared into my eyes, silently asking
permission. I moved up and started kissing his neck while unbuttoning his
shirt, answering his question.
    I was reminded of one
important thing that night: I was alive and that needed to be celebrated.
    Jason held me close
while we slept. Our bodies were spent after giving in to each other. I felt
secure in his arms and woke refreshed after a