Free Where You Can Find Me by Fiona Cole Page B

unconcerned.
    “You just got a little quiet. I thought maybe you didn’t like King’s.”
    I thought about the possibility of saying I hated the restaurant and making him take me somewhere else. But he seemed excited and I didn’t want to come off as an unappreciative bitch. So I hoped for the best. “No, I’ve been there a few times. It’s a great place,” I answered, sending up a prayer to whoever would listen that this didn’t end in disaster.
    I loved my brother. I couldn’t ask for anyone better, but he tended to be overprotective of me. Especially after what I put him through and after what we had both been through in the past. We had lost so much and we were all we had left.
    As we pulled into the parking lot, I took a deep breath upon seeing the familiar sign with the cursive writing. Jameson had begun working at the bar when he turned eighteen and after the owner retired, he sold it to Jameson for next to nothing. My brother made the place ten times better and had paid off the loan in a quarter of the time. To know that Jack enjoyed the place so much warmed my heart; I was proud of his accomplishments. He sacrificed a lot when my parents died. He stopped his life to take care of me and Asher.
    Jack led me to a table close to the bar and on the edge of the dance floor. King’s had a simple look, but a lot of details that made it seem more elaborate. The floors were a scarred wood, making the bar look older than it was. The bar had a shining wood top with stones along the back wall. The liquor bottles sat atop heavy pine shelves, almost looking like fireplace mantles at a lodge. Lights from above made everything shine and set the mood for a relaxed, but fun place to be. There were long oak tables throughout the whole place. Everything from pictures of famous people visiting King’s to concert posters to trains lined the walls. It showcased a hodgepodge of everything and anything. It was as eclectic as it was classic. I loved it.
    “I’m going to go get us some drinks.” Jack leaned down and kissed my forehead before walking away.
    As soon as he turned his back I waved Angela over. She had worked at King’s for three years and I knew her well.
    “Hey girl! Who is that yummy piece of man-meat you came in with?” She leaned her hip on the table and smiled mischievously.
    Laughing, I asked, “Is my brother working the bar tonight?”
    I thought she saw my concern. “No, he’s in the back like the rest of the Friday nights.”
    I sighed in relief and felt my shoulders fall. “Could you maybe not mention that I’m out here? My date doesn’t know this is my brother’s bar and I really don’t want to introduce them just yet. You know how Jameson is.”
    She smiled knowingly. “Sure girl! I will spread the word to keep it on the down-low. Enjoy your night. I sure as hell know I would if I had him sitting across from me.” She turned after giving me one last wink.
    Jack came back to the table bringing me a vodka and cranberry. “For you, my lady.”
    “Thank you.” I grabbed the two tiny black straws in my mouth and took a long drink, trying to relax.
    Angela came back over to take our order and after, Jack and I sat back to watch the couples on the dance floor. He reached his hand across the table and settled it atop of mine. It was rough and warm and perfect on mine. I looked over at him and caught him staring, which made me smile shyly.
    “You look beautiful tonight.”
    “Thank you, Jack. I wasn’t quite sure what to wear since you didn’t give me any clues as to where we were going. I just knew not too fancy.”
    In truth, I’d probably tried on ten outfits. I wanted to look sexy for him but casual at the same time. I ended up deciding on a pair of black liquid leather leggings and a large, gray, slouchy sweater. My chocolate brown hair curled into natural waves down my back to my waist. I used a heavy eyeliner to make my green eyes pop. Everything else was pretty simple. I didn’t know