Free Raindrops on Roses: Book One of the Favorite Things Trilogy by Millenia Black Page B

journeyed from boys to men. Never overcrowded, it was the
perfect place to grab a drink, a bite, relax and figure out how to
solve the world's problems. Tonight Michael was feeling especially
dramatic.
    When Jason arrived, he
found his friend nursing a whiskey and... sulking? "That bad, huh?" he asked,
joining him.
    Michael huffed. "I could easily hold you
responsible for this, you know."
    Jason signaled the bartender. "Quit being so
melodramatic, Michael. If you really want to end it, then just go
ahead and end it—but stop being such a blonde about it."
    "If only it were that simple."
    "Newsflash," said Jason,
making an imaginary banner with his hands. "It is that simple."
    Michael smiled, despite. This was why he
loved this guy. He could always count on Jason to clear the fog.
"You wanna know why I'm staying?" he asked.
    "Oh, you mean it's not because you love
her?"
    Ignoring his friend's sarcasm, Michael said,
"I'm staying because I couldn't live down the guilt after the way
she begged me not to leave her." He looked seriously at Jason. "I
mean it. It would be like a dark cloud hanging over my relationship
with this other woman."
    "You still won't tell me who she is?" Jason
said, raising a bushy eyebrow. "You sure it isn't someone I
know?"
    Michael looked at his friend and sighed.
"Let's just shoot some pool." He got up with drink in hand and
walked over to their favorite table. Grabbing a stick, he got the
game started with a near miss. They played on and Jason beat him
pretty badly.
    "Dude, you're shooting
like a blind woman! What is with you, M? Look. You've made a
decision, get onboard with it, or change it. But I highly doubt any
other girl is worth throwing away a perfectly decent eleven- or
twelve-year relationship. You've been with Amber since you guys
were like sixteen—that's gotta count for something ."
    " Damn it ." Michael swore, frustration
gripping his gut.
    Jason stared at him now, a
little worried. "Seriously, Frost. You can't keep this up, and you
don't have to. Hell, I bet if Amber could see you like this right
now—even she wouldn't want you to."
    Michael downed the last of
the whiskey. "Ahh," he said, raising the empty glass. "At least
this is one shot
I’ll never miss. Hey," he called out to the bartender, "another
round."
    When the drinks came, Jason was having his
usual; always something fruity like sangria. Michael shook his head
at the drink and attempted a laugh.
    "Talk to me, M," said Jason as he racked a
new set.
    "I'm afraid to tell you who she is."
    "Why? She can't be married
or something. You wouldn't leave Amber for a married woman, would you?" Jason
hesitated. " Would you? "
    "C'mon, be real. She's not married."
    "I mean, it's not my wife, is it?" Jason
smirked.
    Tapping the pool stick against his chin,
Michael walked over to his friend. He leaned in and said quietly,
"It's Priscilla Bauer."
    Jason frowned. "Why does that name sound
familiar?"
    "She's Veronica Bauer's granddaughter."
    Jason's eyes widened.
" The Veronica
Bauer?"
    Michael nodded.
    "Well, how in the hell did
you meet her? "
    He explained about
attending the funeral. "And I fell hard, Jay. Like, really hard." He took
another sip of whiskey.
    Jason took a while to respond, apparently
needing a moment to digest this news. He glanced around the bar
thoughtfully before he finally spoke. "Well, fuck."
    "Right?"
    "And she was willing to go out with
you?"
    "Yep."
    Jason's voice suddenly
went high-pitched. "And you dumped her?"
    "You told me to!"
    "Yes, but that was before I knew we were
talking about richer than shit Hollywood royalty over
here!"
    "C'mon," said Michael. "You and I both know
that shouldn't make any difference."
    "Maybe it shouldn't, but it does,"
Jason said, looking him right in the eye. "Michael, you know it does. It's a
definite game changer if ever a game changer there was."
    "How so?"
    " How so? " he asked. "Hell, I don't
know—it's fucking exciting! It's like you're dabbling in a parallel universe
or a