Page 14 of Good Girl’s Guide to Love (Guide to Love #4)
“Well, your self-control, and your rule following ways, astound me,” Mia says as she holds up her drink. “Though, I need you to know that if you ever want to try again, not all alcohol tastes like ass. Which is what J?ger tastes like.”
“If I ever decide to take the plunge again, I’ll make sure you give me your top recommendation.”
Mia taps on her nose before excusing herself to use the restroom.
I offer to stay here, since the bar is filling up and we don’t want to lose our table.
With her being gone, I turn to the stage and listen to a singer who’s way too good to be at karaoke.
Then again, this is Nashville. Finding a good singer is easier than finding a worm at an apple orchard.
I start to get lost in the melody and lyrics of the bluesy song that I’d honestly forgotten about.
I feel my eyes close, which is what I do whenever I hear a good song.
I think every girl who once danced competitively does this.
We hear a song, and just like we used to do in our bedrooms, we start seeing movements.
Or think about what trick we’d do during a strong accent of a song.
I haven’t danced in more than ten years, but I don’t think this ever goes away.
Especially when I need to take my mind off something.
To me, there’s no better way to forget about your problems then just dancing it out.
I feel myself swaying to the music than I should when a voice stops me cold.
“You always did look beautiful when you danced.”
My eyes fly open and I jerk back a little, because holy shiitake, Jonathan isn’t supposed to be here.
Maybe he is Dr. Stalker.
“What the heck, Jonathan! You scared me.”
He laughs and stands way too close for my liking. “I’m sorry, Ainsley. But you ran out of the bar so quickly earlier. I didn’t want to take the chance you’d leave again.”
Well, that’s not creepy at all.
“Jonathan, what are you?—”
I can’t finish my question before Mia comes speedwalking back to the table.
“Holy shit, Ainsley! You’re never going to believe who I just saw!” Before Mia can finish that thought, she realizes who’s at our table. “Oh, absolutely the fuck not! Get your bad fucking toupee and your creepy ass out of here.”
Jonathan turns to my best friend, each of them shooting daggers to the other. “Always one with words, weren’t you?”
“Listen, I know you’ve never been great with picking up on context clues, but when women literally run from you, that’s not a sign to follow them.”
“Good to see you, Mia.”
“The feeling is not mutual.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Jonathan says. “Especially because we’re going to be seeing so much of each other here soon.”
Mia’s spine stiffens, and my eyes bulge out of my head as my blood goes cold. “What do you mean?”
He turns to me, a smile on his face that at one time I thought was handsome, but now it’s just eerie. “That’s why I’m back in town. And why I reached out. There was an opening at Nashville Children’s. I’m back. I start Monday.”
I don’t say anything. Neither does Mia. In fact, if we weren’t in a bar full of people, and a group of guys weren’t singing a very loud version about feeling the rain on your skin, you could hear a pin drop.
Before I can say anything in response, Jonathan grabs my arms and turns me to face him. And he doesn’t let go. “I want to try again, Ainsley.”
Be strong. Being single is better than daily talks about the UV levels.
“Jonathan, we didn’t work. And that’s okay.
” I do my best to use a gentle voice as I shrug out of his hold, without sounding fake.
I don’t know though if it’s working. “I’m happy for you, career wise.
I know how much you loved Nashville Children’s.
But nothing has changed for me. We’re better off apart. ”
Jonathan lets out a maniacal laugh. I’ve never heard him sound like that before.
“Exactly, Ainsley. Nothing has changed for you. You’re still hanging out at the same bar.
Still drinking the same nonalcoholic drink.
I’m going to guess you’ve been down to whatever the name of your hometown was at least once this week to see your parents and your sisters.
Nothing’s changed. And that’s okay. I love you exactly the way you are.
And I know if you look deep down, you still love me too. ”
Oh my, this man is delusional. Also, did he really just insult me and then try to make it about him in the same sentence? What did I ever see in this man?
“But Ainsley, I have changed,” he says, his eyes pleading. “Please, let’s just get out of here so we can talk.”
I shake my head, proud of myself for not wavering. “Jonathan, no. That’s not a good idea. I think you should go.”
His eyes turn crazed, and before I know it, his hands are squeezing my biceps. Hard.
“No, Ainsley. You’re going to leave with me. Now.”
I start twisting to get out of his grip, but it’s useless. And not because of his strength, but because before I can, Jonathan is pulled back from me and nearly thrown across the bar.
“Whoa! What the fuck?” Jonathan yells as he stumbles back. “Who the hell are you?”
I watch in awe as Linc Kincaid steps between me and Jonathan, making him shrink with every step.
Holy freak, that was hot…
“Her fucking boyfriend, you dipshit. Now get your hands off my girl.”