Free Fighting For You by Megan Noelle Page A

need anything.”
    “I will.”
    “Get your ass to work, Sanders,” Corey called out.  Sanders rolled his eyes with a smirk.
    “Been here for thirty seconds and he’s already cracking the whip.” He said to me in a stage whisper. “On it, Boss Man.”
    He gave me a pat on my shoulder before heading off to start his shift.  I finally decided I was able to return to the booth and keep myself together enough to eat.
    When I sat down and saw Alex and Gabby talking, I wondered if they even knew I was gone.  Alex turned his attention to me and nodded towards my plate of food.
    “Fries are getting cold, but I’m sure all you’d have to do is snap your fingers and Core would get you a new plate of them.”  I shook my head, allowing my irritation to show at his amusement.  Maybe this was just a part of Alex’s personality, the constant jokester, but I was not having it right now - especially not if he was going to joke around about Corey and I. 
    “They taste just the way I like them.” Gabby caught my eye and she too mouthed to me, Are you okay?  I gave a sideways smile and shrugged.
    “Alright, Ladies. Please excuse me but I need to get going.  Enjoy your lunch.” He scooted out of the booth and turned first to me. “It was truly a pleasure meeting you, Dani.”
    “You, too,” I replied, forcing a smile to the surface.  Then he turned to Gabby, reached out and brushed a fallen strand of her hair off her face.
    A twinge of jealousy attacked my heart.  It wasn’t that I was upset that Alex was touching Gabby; it was because I missed that same relationship.  I longed for the carefree touches, lingering glances and the ability to reach out and grab him whenever I wanted.  Now, though, because of me, I was left calculating every move I made and hoping nothing I did drove him away even further. All the while, I had to try to find the right time to tell him about it. 
    Lord, I really was a fool, wasn’t I?
    “I’ll see you later, Gabriella,” Alex said with a wink before walking away from us.  I turned my attention to my plate of food, while Gabby leaned over to watch him walk away.
    “How would you rate him?” I asked with a smile.
    Gabby’s lips turned up in a smirk as she let out an exaggerated sigh. “Perfect ten.  That man is hot and that ass—whew!” 
    “So, you’re going to see him later?” She shoved a bite of salad into her mouth and nodded.
    “He wants to meet up here for drinks later, if you don’t mind.”
    “Of course I don’t.  Please just tell me you at least realize that Alex is a total player.”
    Gabby waved her hand dismissively. “Well, duh! You don’t think I sniffed that out the second we walked through that door?”
    I shrugged. “Just saying is all.”
    “Hey! You could totally come with me tonight!” My head was shaking before she got the words out.
    “No way. I don’t need to be third wheeling it tonight.”
    “Oh, come on! You know you won’t be!  Plus, Corey will almost definitely be here—right?”
    I nodded, but chose not to reveal that that was part of the reason I didn’t want to come at all.  On a few different occasions I was witness to the flirtatious bartender.  At the time I had a claim on him and could say whatever I wanted and knew it would be me lying next to him.  Now, that was nothing but the past - nothing but a fading memory. 
    “No, thanks. Not really my scene.  Plus, I think I’d like to curl up in front of my fire tonight.”
    “Okay, but the invitation is open.”
    “I appreciate that.”
    “By the way, how did things go?” Her eyes shifted towards the bar and back to me.
    I sighed.
    “He doesn’t hate me.” This was all I wanted to give as an answer today.
    Gabby smiled and placed a hand on my forearm, giving me a comforting squeeze.
    “That’s a start.”
    “I guess you’re right.”
    “Trust me, I am.”              
     
    *~*~*~*~*
     
    We finished eating and eventually returned home.  Corey