Free The Bottom Line by Sandy James

next song began.
    “Wanna grab a drink?” he asked. “Disco isn’t my thing.”
    What she wanted was for the DJ to stop playing songs that were recorded before she was even born. “Mine, either.”
    He wrapped his hand around hers and led her toward the bar.
    Juliana cut them off before they got there. “You two having a nice time?”
    “Yeah,” Mallory replied. She rubbed her cheek against Ben’s upper arm, loving how tall he was and how warm she felt just being close to him.
    The smile on Jules’s face was the faux one she plastered on when dealing with clueless parents. “Gonna make this a weekly habit? I’m sure the new ladies would love that.”
    “Why not?” Ben smirked. “Seems like you’re here every Saturday.”
    The sparks flew between them, but not the same type that Mallory shared with him. This tension was pure hostility, and she didn’t have a clue as to what caused it. They seemed fine at the last mixer.
    “Too cheap to spring for dinner and a movie?” Jules asked. Since sarcasm was a lifestyle for her, that reaction wasn’t surprising.
    Ben’s was. “You’ve got me all figured out.”
    Horrified that her best friend and her date were getting off on the wrong foot and having no idea what caused the antagonism, Mallory scrambled for the right thing to say. “Ben likes dancing. Not too many places to do that in Cloverleaf. So… here we are.”
    “You’re a dancer, Ben?” Jules asked.
    “Not particularly. Just wanted a place where Mallory and I could come to listen to some good music, have a drink, and dance a little.”
    Mallory leaned in to whisper to Juliana. “What’s wrong with you?”
    Jules shrugged.
    “Stop being an asshat. Okay?”
    With her lips pulled to a solemn line, Jules nodded.
    What was she trying to accomplish? Judging from Ben’s stiff frown, all she was doing was pissing him off. Perhaps one day Juliana would learn exactly how abrasive she could be.
    Mallory needed a minute alone with Juliana to figure out what was going on in her friend’s head. “How about a glass of wine, Ben?”
    “Preference for red or white?” he asked.
    “White. Please.”
    Jules finished her drink and handed the glass to the blond, who was still hovering at her side. “Do me a favor, Patrick? Refill?”
    His whole face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. “Sure thing, honey.” He trotted after Ben.
    Mallory barely waited until he was out of earshot. “What’s with you? For pity’s sake… you wanted me to go out with him.”
    “I
did
. Now I’m not so sure.”
    “Why not?”
    She took a long time before answering. “I just wanted you to get back into the swing of things. I didn’t think you’d like the guy. You’re not ready for that.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Who do you think you’re talking to?” Jules asked. “I know you better than anyone, and I saw the way you were dancing with him.”
    “So what?”
    Jules heaved a sigh. “You were supposed to date him a couple of times, have a nice time, and then cut him loose. That’s all. Not… not…
this
.”
    “This
what
?”
    “This relationship. You’re already in too deep. I don’t want you to get hurt again, Mal.”
    Her temper rising to a slow boil, Mallory knit her brows. “You’re assuming an awful lot after watching a couple of dances.”
    “I told you, I know you. I know exactly how you think. I’d bet my bottom dollar you didn’t tell him everything. Right?”
    “It’s our first date!” Mallory insisted. “Besides, he knows about Jay.” As though that would satisfy Juliana…
    Thankfully, Ben and Patrick came back with glasses of wine and bottles—Patrick’s beer and Ben’s water.
    Juliana threw her a this-is-far-from-over look that made Mallory glad the next day was Sunday. She’d have a day’s reprieve from any more interrogation or insinuation.
    Ben handed Mallory her drink and then gave Juliana a wan smile. “Look… I’m not sure why you were giving me a hard