Page 14 of A Love Bite

“I promise,” I say, smiling. “See you soon, I hope.”

I hang up and slip my phone back into my pocket, turning to Opal. “Kathy’s really happy that we found you. She’s a bit worried about us being here, though.”

Opal looks around the bar, her expression thoughtful. “Why? This place seems fine to me.”

“She’s heard some rumors, I guess, but honestly, Jake’s been great, and I feel safe here.”

Just then, Jake comes over, placing fresh drinks in front of us with a warm smile. “How are you ladies doing? Everything all right?”

“Yeah, we’re good,” I reply, my smile genuine but tinged with a hint of the worry Kathy’s call had sparked. “Thanks for checking on us.”

He nods, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than usual. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

As he heads back to the bar, I feel a strange mix of comfort and unease. Kathy’s words echo in my mind, but looking at Jake, I can’t help but trust him. There’s something about him that feels right, even if I can’t quite put my finger on it.

I turn back to Opal, who’s sipping her drink and starting to relax. “Let’s just enjoy the night,” I say, pushing the doubts aside. “We deserve it after everything that’s happened.”

Opal nods, and we clink our glasses together, determined to make the most of the evening. Despite the lingering worry, there’s a sense of hope and new beginnings. And with Jake nearby, I can’t shake the feeling that everything will turn out all right.

As we sip our drinks, Opal’s phone buzzes on the bar. She glances at the screen and her face lights up. “It’s Kathy,” she says, answering the call. “Hey, Kathy! Yeah, I’m fine. We’re at Luna’s Moon… No, Alex told me… Okay, sure, we can do that.” She hangs up and turns to me, a hesitant smile on her face. “Kathy’s really worried about us being here. She wants us to meet her at another bar.”

I feel a pang of disappointment. I’ve been enjoying the atmosphere here and the chance to unwind, not to mention the opportunity to spend more time with Jake, but Kathy’s concern is genuine, and if it makes Opal feel safer, I can’t argue with that.

“Which bar does she want to meet at?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.

“She suggested The Blue Lantern. It’s not too far from here,” Opal replies, looking a bit apologetic.

I nod, forcing a smile. “Okay, let’s go meet her there. Better safe than sorry.”

We gather our things and I catch Jake’s eye, signaling that we’re leaving. He comes over, a look of concern crossing his face. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Kathy’s just really worried about us being here. We’re going to meet her at another bar.”

Jake nods, though I can see the disappointment in his eyes. “All right, I understand. Stay safe, okay?”

“Thanks, Jake,” I say, giving him a small smile.

“Anytime,” he replies, his gaze lingering on me for a moment. He hesitates and then nods almost to himself. “Let me walk you to the door.”

Like a gentleman, he does, and I give him a quick hug. “Thank you for everything tonight, Jake. You really helped us out.”

He smiles that same warm and sincere smile that has been a source of comfort throughout the evening. “Happy to help, Alex. Take care, Opal.”

“You too, Jake.” Opal smiles at him and then nudges me. I’m probably blushing as I all but push her out the door.

As we step outside, the cool night air hits us, and we make our way to The Blue Lantern. It’s a bit quieter than Luna’s Moon, but still lively enough to be a good place to unwind. Kathy is waiting for us at a table near the back, relief evident on her face when she sees us.

“Hey,” she says, standing up to hug Opal tightly. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Opal smiles, hugging her back. “Thanks, Kathy. I’m just glad this day is over.”

We all sit down, and Kathy looks at me with concern. “I hope you didn’t mind leaving Luna’s Moon. I just didn’t feel right about you guys being there.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. I understand. We’re just happy to be together and safe.”

As we settle in, the conversation flows more easily, and the worry of the day begins to fade. Despite my initial disappointment, I find myself enjoying the new place and the chance to relax with friends, but I can’t help but think about Jake and the connection I felt. I wonder if I’ll see him again soon, and what the future might hold.

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