Free Holly's Wishes by Karen Pokras Page B

day you might be,” Holly told him, snuggling against his side.
    “I see. Well, that does indeed sound like something to celebrate,” Michelle said, losing a bit of her condescending tone. Twirling her hair again, she shifted her body a little closer to Jared’s.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 18
     
     “Just water, please,” Holly requested, when the waitress came by for the third time. Two beers on a mostly empty stomach had been one and a half too many for her.
    “Another for me,” Jared said, starting to sound a little tipsy.
    “Don’t you have to work the early shift tomorrow?” she asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
    “It’s cool, Hol. I’ll be fine by morning,” he replied, keeping his eyes on the waitress.
    “Change mine to a cola, please,” Holly said with a sigh. “Guess I’ll need the caffeine to keep me awake to drive home.”
    “I’ll have another.” Michelle pointed to her empty bottle of Perrier.
    “Cola sounds good for me, too, please,” Ben said.
     “Isn’t this band fabulous?” Michelle asked as she swayed in place to the beat.
    “It’s awesome,” Jared said, his eyes darting down her shirt more than they should be.
    The waitress returned with the drinks. “Cheers,” Michelle said, clinking her glass to Jared’s bottle, while ignoring the rest of the table.
    “Michelle?” Ben said, pointing to his watch. “It’s getting late, and I’ve got to get up early for work tomorrow.”
    “Oh, sweetie, we haven’t even danced yet. Come on, we have to at least dance.”
    “I’m not really in a dancing mood.”
    ‘How about you?” she asked, looking at Jared.
    He smiled, eyes still on her chest, and nodded.
    Sighing, Ben stood up to let them out.
    He slid back in next to Holly where they watched as Michelle began gyrating against Jared who seemed oblivious and did his own odd chicken type dance.
    “I’m sorry,” Ben muttered to Holly.
    She laughed under her breath. “This is a typical night out for me. You?”
    “Pretty much,” he said somberly.
    After two songs, Ben walked up to Michelle, grabbed her elbow, and led her off the dance floor and back to the table. “We need to go.”
    Jared stumbled back behind them.
     “Oh, sweetie,” she said, kissing Ben on the cheek. “Can’t we stay a little longer? It’s so rare we get to go out like this, and Jared looks like he could use another beer.”
    She motioned for the waitress, and pointed to both their drinks, indicating they’d like refills, without bothering to ask if Ben or Holly wanted anything.
    Hanging his head, Ben groaned. “Last one. Then I’m leaving—with or without you.”
    As Jared and Michelle sat back down, Holly noticed another button on her shirt had come undone, exposing even more of her cleavage. Twenty more minutes and she might actually wind up topless. Of course, this was Michelle Floyd. Apparently nothing really changed over the years.
    Ben stood for a moment, trying to decide where he should sit, before sliding in next to Holly. Somehow, having him beside her made the situation seem not quite so bad. She could tell he was annoyed, as was she. Why did they keep putting up with this?
    “Looks like you’re the designated driver tonight,” Ben said as the waitress brought Jared’s beer.
    Holly sighed. This was the first time they’d been out to a bar since Ava’s wedding. She’d thought his binge drinking and flirting days were over. Apparently not.
    “Cheers to us,” she said to him, holding up her empty glass. It was a poor attempt to mock what was going on with their significant others.
    “All hands on the table, kids,” Ben called to Michelle and Jared.
    “Oh, Benny,” she replied with a playful grin, “we’re just talking.”
    He smirked back. Even in sarcasm, he had a great smile.
    “So how’s the car?” Holly asked, trying to ignore the pair across from them.
    Ben laughed. “I’m afraid it’s dead. Didn’t you get the notice for the memorial