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“Where are we going?”

He pulled me down the hall. “No line at the little boy’s room. And it’s shockingly clean in there.”

Gabe pushed the door open just as a fella was exiting. He guided me inside before pushing the door shut and locking it.

“What are you doing, Mr. Gabe?”

He grabbed my waist and pulled me close before kissing me. It was one of his slow, tender ones, and I loved the faint taste of liquor that bit me before he pulled back. “This.” He pushed a piece of hair off my face. “You’re so freaking beautiful. I can’t keep my eyes off of you out there.”

His words jump-started my pulse. “Are you drunk?”

“Yes, ma’am. You?”

“Slightly.” I pushed his chest and entered a stall. “I can’t go potty if you’re listening.”

His voice bounced off the tiled walls. “Should I plug my ears or what?”

“Sing a song.”

“A song.” He cleared his throat and started belting out Benson Boone’s, Beautiful Things , a favorite, and I enjoyed the performance very much.

I walked out just as he turned on the water, and I soaped up my hands. “I’m impressed.” I flipped off the water and grabbed a towel. “Let’s see, you can carry a tune, do the worm and Magic Mike moves? You got it goin’ on.”

“Is that right? Because when I see you across the bar, I can barely contain myself.” The flash in his eyes shook me. “The thought of anyone else being close to you makes me crazy.” He opened his arms, and I stepped into the space that fit me perfectly. “But you like a little crazy, don’t you?”

I nodded, realizing I wanted to be whatever he was.

My arms wrapped around his waist while his hands cupped my face.

His kiss had an urgency or desperation to it, and I couldn’t grasp the effect I could feel I was having on him.

When we were close, there was something explosive, primitive, and uncontrollable that scared and excited me at the same time.

He spoke through the kiss that I thought might just melt me all together. “Do you even know the things you make me think about?”

His words had my heart tap dancing against my ribs as there was a new kind of trust I didn’t know what to make of. “You can do anything.” It came out in a whisper, although I hadn’t intended it to come out at all. But I felt no regret.

He rested his forehead against mine, and we stood for a long moment just being. I swear I could feel a surge weaving between us and knew my heart would pay the price for whatever was happening in the men’s room at the Blind Pig bar. “We should probably get back.”

He gently kissed my cheek while stepping away, allowing me a moment to pull myself together.

After unlocking the door, oh no started simmering in my stomach. We were standing face to face with Dave.

“Hey, Novots.” Gabe’s voice was an octave or two higher than it should be while Dave examined his face.

I took a step forward, almost putting myself between them. “The line to the girl’s room is almost out the front door. Gabe stood watch so I could sneak in.”

A nervous throbbing started in my temple as Dave wore a stone face while Gabe swallowed hard. Was there any shot in hell I could tackle my brother to the floor, allowing Gabe a few seconds to run for his life?

After the longest seconds in the history of time, a huge smile shot across Dave’s face before he slapped Gabe on the shoulder. “Always looking out for my crew. You’re the bomb, man.”

Whew.

Ten minutes later, I stood at the bar with Pam and Katie, doing a shot of Fireball that I had no business doing as I felt warm and dreamy. Always my cue to switch to water.

Katie pointed to Ed and Tawnee on the dance floor. “She makes him so damn happy.”

Pam slammed her empty shot glass dramatically on the bar. “I knew the minute he met her that the boy was off the market.”

She pointed to Gabe who was walking off the dance floor and immediately had a hot red head approach, take his hand, and pull him back on the dance floor. “Then there’s Gabe.”

I pulled out my I don’t give a shit voice. “What’s his story anyway?”

The bartender set down three more shots I didn’t remember anyone ordering. I tossed mine back, deciding a little more liquor wouldn’t kill me.

“Well, before I met any of the guys, Gabe was married to his high school girlfriend.”

“Really?” I shuddered at the spicy alcohol as it slid down my throat but mostly at the thought of my weekend pass being married.

“Yeah, but she died in a car accident a few years ago.”

“That’s horrible.” I looked over at Gabe the same second he looked at me and gave me a chin nod before turning away. My heart pinched, imagining that kind of loss. He hadn’t mentioned her at all to me. But I suppose that topic would rarely come up. Fern, let me tell you about my dead wife.

Katie slid her shot over to me. “Do it, Fern. I’m already drunk.”

I nodded like an idiot, and down the hatch it went.

Pam took out a lipstick from her purse. “I think that’s why he has problems with partying and women. I love him to death, but he’s got some issues.”

My semi-drunk state was insisting I defend Gabe, the man I clearly knew nothing about.

“It would take a lot to move past such a loss. Maybe now that some time has passed, he’ll be able to do things differently.

And even find happiness with a woman in the future.

” The liquor was humming through my body, and I realized it could maybe be me?

Sure, it was a long shot, but possible. Right?

“Impossible.”

Her one-word answer punched me in the throat. “Well, maybe. We don’t know.”

Pam glided on her mauve lipstick. “I do. He’s said time and time again he will never be in a relationship again. He doesn’t want it.”

Katie giggled. “Well, he wants it, but with no strings attached.”

“You just never know about these things,” said Fireball.

Pam shook her head. “I’d normally agree, but he’s been involved with actresses and tons of stunning ladies, and he cuts them loose quickly.

He told Andrew he’s upfront with any woman and respectful, but he won’t go down the relationship highway again.

Ever. It’s hot and heavy hook-ups or nothing at all. ”

Katie leaned in close. “I’ve heard he has magic hands.”

“Yes.” I blurted out. “I mean, yes. He looks like a guy who would know his way around the kitchen if you know what I’m saying.” An overzealous laugh oozed out my mouth as I nodded.

Dave magically appeared out of nowhere, or my vision had become slightly impaired.

“We’re heading out.”

I punched his arm. “I’m not leaving!” I grabbed Katie and hugged her. “I’m having the best night of my life, and it’s not ending yet.”

He chuckled. “First off, if this is the best night of your life I’m very sad for you. Secondly, we’re just going to Bangin’ Beers Bar.”

I squealed, and as hard as I tried, I could not not jump up and down while clapping like a five-year-old winning a bucket of Jelly Bellies. Did I mention I love Jelly Bellies? Stop drinking now.

I recall a car ride that consisted of laughing. Ed may have mooned a passing car, or I dreamed that. More laughing, and of course a lil glass of bubbly. I decided that was my last drink.

The Bangin’ Beer Bar had tables brimming with people and a stage where brave souls were singing their hearts out at karaoke. I, as the host with the most, had a table reserved for us right next to the stage.

We all found a chair. Well, Fern missed her chair and ended staring up at the ceiling while seven faces peered down at her and laughed to tears. After a few failed attempts to get up, Dave finally lifted her to the standing position.

Then she challenged him to arm wrestling match and made each one of us bet a dollar on her.

As a good brother, he let her win. She did a fantastic celebratory jog around the bar, but all my buzzed eyes saw was the beautiful gal with perfect breasts.

There was nobody like her in the world, I was certain of it.

Katie and Pam refused to leave the karaoke area and were doing their rendition of Pink Pony Club while the rest of the gang played beer pong in the corner, leaving a fairly safe opportunity for me to hang with Fern.

I wanted to throw her against the wall and kiss off every bit of her lip-gloss, but instead we stood at the bar like normal people.

“I’m cutting myself off.” She laughed. “Oh shit, I’m slurring, Gabe. I’m done ordering drinks tonight.”

“Good plan.”

I put my hand next to hers on the bar. I may not be able to grab her, but our fingers touching seemed to be enough at that moment.

She giggled. “What did you say?”

“ You said no more liquor. I said probably a good call.”

“I did?”

“Yup. Are you okay?”

Giggles fell out of her. “When I drink I sometimes don’t remember stuff. Like Dory from Finding Nemo . Do you know who Dory is?”

“Dory? I don’t think so.”

She leaned over. “In the Finding Nemo movie, Dory had short term memory loss, like me right now.”

“So alcohol gives you short term memory loss? This could work out nicely for me.” Down, boy.

She peeked over my shoulder to make sure our group was out of earshot. “The weekend pass is ticking to its end so do what you have to.” She leaned in. “You have an all-access pass.”

Her words turned me inside out while the grin she wore was a dare I planned to take her up later. “You know, I think we should talk about that.” Even though our hands were barely touching, I felt electricity bouncing between us.

“What about it?”

“If I can be honest, Fern, I don’t want the weekend pass anymore.”

Her playful grin dropped, but I watched her try to play it cool as she nodded. “I see.” She motioned to the bartender who hopped right over. “Please bring me a cup of your strongest alcohol right now.”

I waved my hand in the air. “Water. Bring this lovely lady water.” I couldn’t fight my smile. “I meant I don’t want the weekend pass anymore because I don’t want just that. You see what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I see.” She chewed on her lip for a second. “No, actually I have no fucking clue what you’re saying.”