Page 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

IZZIE

I t’s always a good thing when the restaurant is busy. That means more tips, and the time goes by faster. Tonight, I have another reason to want to be distracted: Jackson.

After I sent the text to him last night saying I had to work tonight, his reply was a simple OK , and then nothing else.

I’m not one to obsess over past actions, but I kept thinking that I could have perhaps sent a better reply to his first text. I mean, the guy did say he was having withdrawals.

God. Why am I so bad at this?

“Earth to Izzie.” Manuel nudges my arm.

“What?”

“You were frozen. How are those chocolate martinis coming along?”

I glance at the shaker in my hands, and then give myself a mental slap. “Almost ready.”

I need to get my act together. At least it was Manuel who caught me in a daze, and not a customer.

I focus on the task at hand, determined to not think about Jackson anymore. There aren’t a lot of patrons hogging the bar, so I’m mostly making drinks for the tables.

I’m in the groove when a throat clearing catches my attention. I turn and find Jackson standing on the other side of the bar. I stop in my tracks as I deal with the sense of deja vu. My heart starts speeding.

“What are you doing here?”

“I had a hankering for the IPA you have on tap,” he replies with a cheeky smile.

The butterflies in my stomach turn radioactive, and I’m shaking a little. “I thought you were busy.”

“I was, but my commitment ended early. Is it okay that I came?”

I’m flustering hard. Please don’t say something stupid and ruin the moment, Izzie.

“Yeah, of course. Do you want to drink something?”

He smiles broader. “Yes, the IPA on tap.”

Oh my God, woman. Get it together. “Right.”

I grab a glass and start the pour.

“Should I step back? I really like this shirt, and I don’t want another beer shower.”

“Oh stop it.” I smirk. Mercifully, the tap works fine, and I don’t douse Jackson in IPA. “There you go. Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.” His eyes turn smoldering. He’s not talking about food now.

My face is burning up. I hope I’m not blushing. “I’ll grab you a menu.” I walk away from Jackson, and bump into Manuel.

“What’s that gilipollas doing here?”

“Grabbing a bite to eat?” I reply without making eye contact.

“Hmm… I don’t think that’s all he came for.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re imagining things. Why else would he be here?”

“He’s into you, but you already know that.” Manuel heads in the opposite direction, and I can’t rebuff his statement.

What’s the point? He isn’t wrong.

I return to Jackson and slide the menu toward him. “Here.”

“Thanks.” He looks at the options, and asks, “Anything you recommend?”

“Are you in the mood for tapas, or do you want a meal?”

He lifts his eyes to mine. “I want a meal.”

My nipples turn hard in an instant. He could say anything right now and it’d turn me on. “Well… the spicy pork loin is pretty popular.”

“Is it your favorite dish?” He arches a brow.

“Yes.”

“All right, then. That’s what I’ll have.” He closes the menu.

“Okay.” I take the menu away, and then put his order in the system. My hands are shaking, and I’m super tense, knowing Jackson is watching me. How am I going to survive until the end of my shift?

* * *

JACKSON

After my first experience, I never thought I’d be back at Triana and sitting at the bar. But when I realized I had some free time in my schedule tonight, I didn’t think twice about coming here. As busy as I am with all the press and events to celebrate our victory, Izzie never left my mind. She’s turned into my obsession, and it’s futile to fight it.

The dish she suggested was indeed delicious. I didn’t think I was that hungry, but I ended up eating the whole thing.

Now I’m just nursing my beer. There’s no chance in hell I’ll leave this place without her.

“Can I get you anything else?” she asks.

“I’m okay for now. When is your shift over?”

Her pretty eyes widen a fraction. “Closing time. Why?”

“I want to take you somewhere.”

She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes. “Let me guess. Your house?”

I shake my head, smiling. “No. I have something else in mind.”

“Oh… now I’m curious.”

My smile broadens. “You’ll have to wait. When is closing time, anyway?”

She looks at the clock behind her. “Half an hour. I didn’t realize it was almost ten.”

“Perfect.”

She puts her right hand on her hip. “You can’t give me any hints?”

“Nope.”

“Is what I’m wearing okay?”

I give her an elevator glance just for show. I’ve been gawking at her since I got here. She’s wearing black pants and a black, long-sleeve top with a low-cut neckline. Honestly, it’s been kind of hard not to stare at her cleavage. “Yes, more than okay,” I rasp.

She smirks, knowing very well the effect she has on me. “All right. I can’t wait to see where we’re going.”

Someone on the other side of the bar catches her attention, and she walks away. Two guys in suits put in an order, but they’re busier staring at Izzie’s breasts than getting their drinks. I tense, ready to walk over and deal with them. But Manuel slides up next to Izzie and takes over handling the creeps.

They got lucky.

It takes a while for my rage to dissipate, even though no further incidents happen. My chest feels unbearably tight now, and it’s an unfamiliar feeling. I hate that those assholes were coming on to Izzie. She isn’t my girlfriend, but I already consider her mine.

Maybe I should make it official.