Page 67 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 3

SPENCER

I was anxious for this round to end so I could spend a little more time with Jake. It seemed the more time we spent together, the more time I wanted. There was just something about him that made it so easy for us to talk and made me feel very comfortable in his company. So when it was announced that this round was over and we were to report to the Superhero themed area, I was more than ready.

“Hey, how did it go?” Jake asked as he appeared at my side.

“It was okay. To be honest I wish you and I would have had more time to chat,” I said. I wasn’t normally so open, but we were on limited time here tonight and I wanted to make sure I took every opportunity.

“I was thinking the exact same thing. What do you think about skipping the next round and having a drink?” he asked, and once again that smile got my attention.

“I think I’d like that,” I said, and we turned away from the superhero area, and almost ran into the guy in the sparkly jacket.

“It looks like you two gentlemen are hitting it off. I’m going to give you this sticker to put on your name badge,” he said and handed us both a round red sticker that said off limits on it. Jake shrugged and put it on his name badge, and I followed suit.

“Thanks, Ian,” he said.

“The buffet is open if you want to get something to eat and of course you know there’s an open bar.” He nodded before scanning the room, and hurried off to another group of people who looked like their focus had shifted to finding a party rather than their perfect match.

“Ready?” Jake asked.

“Yes.” And I was, in more ways than one. He led us to the bar and since this was a limited entry event we were able to find two barstools without an issue. “What do you like to drink?”

“It varies. To be honest I’m not a big drinker, but I do enjoy a nice whiskey,” Jake said, and I tried to hold back my smile but his hand on my arm made it impossible. “What is it?”

“I loved drinking when I was younger, but now I’d rather enjoy the drink than try to survive it the next morning. We seem to keep finding more and more in common with each other.” His eyes were nearly as dark as his hair, but once again I was drawn to his warmth.

“Those are not good memories for me. I think twenty-three-year-old me thought if I drank more, I’d eventually get used to it. That never happened,” Jake said with a chuckle.

“Gentlemen, what can I get for you?” the bartender asked. She was dressed the same as the others with a black vest and white button-up shirt. Her hair all over the place while somehow looking perfect.

“We’d like a nice whiskey, what do you suggest?” I asked.

“That depends on if you’re drinking to get drunk or to sip?” she asked with zero judgement.

“We’re past the get drunk on New Year’s Eve stage, we just want to sip,” Jake said.

“I completely understand,” she said and pulled a bottle I didn’t recognize out from under the bar. “Ice?”

“Yes please,” we both said at once.

“Looks like you two are getting along,” she said still in the deadpan tone she’d started with.

“I guess we are,” Jake said and bumped his shoulder into mine.

“I think we are,” I said and the two of us grinned at each other.

“Let me know what you think of that,” she said before moving to the next customer.

“Oh, this is good,” Jake said after taking a sip.

“Did you plan to stay until midnight?” I asked because not everyone was interested in welcoming the new year with a room full of strangers.

“Yes, how about you?”

“Of course, what else would I do?” I asked, knowing he’d have no clue. “Mind if I ask you something?”

“If I minded, I would have stopped talking to you a while ago.” He took another sip of his drink and turned to face me making our knees touch, but neither of us moved away.

“What are you looking for here? You’re handsome, very easy to talk to, and very charming. Why would you want to come to a mixer to meet someone?” I hoped he didn’t take offense to my words, but it didn’t make sense to me. He wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable at all, in fact, he seemed to enjoy being around so many people.

“I wasn’t lying when I said I want to meet someone. There’s been a few relationships I thought were more serious than they turned out to be. I want someone who wants to be with me not out of responsibility but out of love.” He said it with a straight face, but that grin eventually showed itself. I leaned closer and kissed his cheek right next to that dimple, unable to stop myself.

“I really love your smile,” I said. As he turned to meet my eyes, his flashed with fire for a moment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean?—”

“Spencer, tell me again what you’re looking for,” he whispered so close I could feel his breath on my lips and had to force myself not to lean in even closer to him.

“Someone I can have conversations with about nothing in particular, and never feel the need to fill the silence with words if we’re alone. Someone who makes me laugh, but also understands when I need time alone. Someone who would be there for me when I need them.” His hand reached up and he glided his fingers across the edge of my hair just above my ear. “I want to have someone to sleep next to at night besides Toby.” He leaned back waiting to see if I was serious before dissolving into laughter.

“Toby’s a lucky dog,” Jake said and settled his hand on my leg. “We should get something to eat.”

I started to say I didn’t need food, or another drink, I just needed to know we’d end up together after tonight. But I didn’t say that, and I followed Jake’s lead as he picked up his glass, tipped the bartender, and walked to where we’d been told the buffet was.