Page 128 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol 4

He smiled.

His smile used to make my legs feel like jelly. It hadn't had that effect in a long time though. I had learned the hard way that all relationships were fleeting. And I could thank Jack for part of that. He had cheated on me with my best friend, Claire, my senior year of high school. I hadn't been in a serious relationship since. Besides, I was too busy with my classes. I was happy to see that his smile no longer affected me though.

"I'm surprised to see you back here," he said.

"I was always coming back, I told you that. Can I get you a refill?"

"Sure." He slid his empty glass to me.

I refilled it a little lower than the brim. We were going to have to make some conscious cuts. And I certainly didn't mind making Jack pay for that. I placed the glass down in front of him. "How's Claire doing?"

"Good. She's pregnant."

"Wow, congratulations." I tried to make myself sound enthusiastic. Most people in this town did stay together. Jack and I were probably the exception. And most of them got pregnant young. Now that I was back, maybe I'd try to talk to Claire again. She had apologized to me right after she had kissed Jack, and I forgave her. But it still felt like a stab in the back when they started dating after I went off to school.

"Thanks, Hailey."

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" I casually glanced around the bar, hoping that someone might need a refill. I maybe wasn't affected by Jack anymore, but I didn't want to be stuck talking to him about his wife and future child all night.

"A girl."

"That's wonderful." What was the appropriate question to ask next? Do you have any names picked out? Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone lift up an empty glass and wave at me.Thank God."Table seven needs another round," I said. "It was great talking to you, Jack. And congrats on the baby," I added over my shoulder.

Missing Pieces - Chapter 2

Tyler

Friday

A beeping noise made me glance down at the dashboard. My gas light had just turned on. "Shit." I hit my turn signal and took the first exit off the highway. There was no sign of a gas station despite what the sign on the interstate had promised. Actually, there was no sign of anything. Just dark building after dark building. And a ton of farmland.

The beeping noise sounded again. I should have been paying better attention. I squinted at a cluster of lights in the distance. Maybe that was it. As I got closer, I quickly noticed that it was not a gas station. The lit up sign said Hails' Bar. One glance at my dashboard told me that if I didn't stop for directions now, I'd end up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

I turned into the small parking lot. There were only a few cars besides my own. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, but it was dead. I had no reason to charge it. But maybe it would have helped me find a gas station. I grabbed my charger and slipped it and my phone into my pocket. It seemed like a small town. Maybe they'd be nice enough to let me charge my phone.

When I pushed through the door of the bar, I was surprised to see that the place was pretty packed. It must have been filled with locals who lived close enough to walk. It reminded me a little of the bars at the University of New Castle. Although, if this was their Main Street, this town did not have much going on. Some of the best nights in college had been walking back home with my friends after a night at the bar. That was one ofthe upsides of living in New York too. Everything was within walking distance. Apparently it was a perk of wherever the hell I currently was too.

I glanced over at the bar. Despite all the patrons, there was only one girl behind the counter. Which probably made sense. She was gorgeous. She had long brunette hair and a smile that lit up the room. They probably made a killing in tips with her working. I'd ask for directions in a bit. First I could really use a drink. I made my way over to the bar and sat down on an empty stool.

The bartender didn't even glance at me. She was talking to some guy on the other side of the bar. I leaned down and started searching the side of the bar for an outlet.

"Looking for something in particular?"

I sat back up. A few years ago I might have answered her with some line about looking for her number. But that was a long time ago. It wasn't like I wanted to hook up with a girl from the middle of nowhere and never see her again. I had no idea what I wanted, but I didn't want that. Even if she was gorgeous. I lifted up my charger. "An outlet. My phone's dead."

"Ah." She bit her lower lip, as if she was thinking over something. "It costs $5 to charge your phone."

I laughed.

But she didn't seem to think it was funny.

"Seriously?"

She shrugged. "New policy."

I shook my head and reached into my pocket for my wallet. "Okay. One charged cell phone and whatever you have on draft." I slid her a ten dollar bill.

"That I can do." She pocketed the money and grabbed my cell and charger. She walked past the bar and disappeared down a long hallway.