Only Mine novel Chapter 23

This night can end in one of two ways. Either I admit my part of slight, but only slight, an overreaction that was also fueled from my insecurities about our relationships which is about time to address them together, and he realizes and admits his part of the mistake, or ... we stay angry and hurt at each other just so we'll have a blown up fight later. The blown-up fight seems the only kind of fights we have anyway. Like fire crashing against fire.

I think today is the time for one of us to become the water and extinguish the fire rather than fuel it. And by the way his reaction was after I left his office, it will obviously have to be me.

I was pondering the question in my head for the last 20 minutes, while absentmindedly chatting with Mike and Hanna who were trying to find out what happened, but I just gave them an abbreviated version of our argument. I had to give them something after they saw Jake drag me out of the club.

Mike was seriously not pleased and I love him for his protectiveness, but the fault was two-sided. I am capable of admitting it, even with alcohol-induced brain. Not that I feel any kind of buzz after the night's events and now continuing my night drinking water.

"Your angry lover boy just joined the party," Hanna informs me after pointing in his direction just when he emerges from the same hallway we disappeared half an hour ago.

He goes back to the other side of the bar without so much as a glance in my direction. Fine, as he likes. To his credit, when the skank from before approached him again he excused himself and rather rudely bypassed her and leave. I could see shock and anger on her face from the other side of the bar.

Good, at least he got my point.

Now for the second part, I'll enjoy a couple of hours more with my favourite people and then go talk to him.

So when Mike pulls us both to the dance floor, I let him, determined to not ruin their night because of my stupid drama.

I laugh when he starts doing some weird moves, gaining the attention of everyone around us and I and Hanna are laughing our asses off.

Then he grabs my hand and pulls me towards him with a dramatic dip at the end. He cracks up with me and hugs me tight.

"That's the smile I was aiming for. You're good, doll?"

"Yeah. Thanks for being here. Sorry if I ruined your night."

"Don't be stupid. As long as you are fine, everything's good."

He looks at me with these adorable blue eyes and I'm reminded again how happy I am we are close to each other again.

"C'mon you suckers, we are a group. As in three people. Not you two and poor Hanna thrown to the curb."

We laugh and roll eyes at her.

"I think you would be able to get a new group in a matter of seconds if you'd wanted to. We are the losers here."

Mike's words praise her enough and she pulls us back to form a circle again.

"True enough, kiddo. But you two are my group today. So act like it."

And with the mood continuing in the same spirit we stayed on the dance floor for at least an hour.

A few songs later Mike says he is going home since he has an early morning and when I crank my neck to see if I could spot Jake anywhere, Hanna looks at me knowingly and says she'll leave with Mike, smugly suggesting if I'm going with them.

Like she doesn't know.

"Uhm, no, I guess I'll stay behind and wait for Jake."

It's past 3 am already, and hopefully, he'll leave soon. I'd much rather have this talk at home than in his "cursed" office.

"We know Jess, we know." Hanna rolls eyes at me and Mike just smiles warmly.

"Talk to you tomorrow, guys." I kiss both of them goodbye and then start making my way towards the bar.

I scan the length of it, but my brooding man is nowhere to be found.

There is a nervous feeling settling in my chest, but I really don't want to jump to conclusions so fast. I know he wouldn't hurt me on purpose.

After another ten minutes of scanning the whole place and walking around aimlessly, I give up and decide to ask one of the bartenders since he's not picking up his phone either.

"Excuse me, do you know where Jake is?"

"He is around. Do you need anything?"

He eyes me appreciatively and me-before-Jake would notice how cute he actually is. Now, I just want an answer from him.

"No, I mean, yes. I'm his, um... friend and need to talk to him."

He checks me out suspiciously but apparently decides I'm not some lunatic when he indicates to give him a minute.

He picks up the phone after asking my name and a few mumbled words later put it back down and lean towards me.

"Mr. Adams said his girlfriend can join him in his office if she wishes to speak to him."

There is humor dancing in his eyes and he gives me a knowing grin.

Oh, now I'm his girlfriend. Convenient. I wonder if it has anything to do with the flirty waiter.

I smile politely and make my way in the direction of the Personnel Only section, trying not to be too nervous. Office it is again.

I knock lightly before entering and I hear his deep voice telling me to come in. He is sitting behind his large desk, scattered papers all over the wooden surface and glass with dark liquid next to him. He doesn't say a word and continues looking at the paper in front of him, not acknowledging me in any way.

I thought I was the one who was supposed to be upset. Or at least more upset.

Slowly I approach his desk and sit on the other side, keeping a formal distance between us. Still nothing.

I clear my throat before speaking.

"How are you?" my voice comes out quieter than I intended. I really hate it when there is such coldness between us.

It takes him a couple of seconds before he finally lifts his head.

"I don't know Jessica, let me see. One moment I'm busy at work, conversing with people," I glare at him using the word 'people and he changes the term, "ok, conversing with ladies, harmlessly if I may add, when my girlfriend shows up. And instead of me showing her how happy I am to see her, she goes all crazy and insults my clients, so I have to literally drag her away from there. Not a good look for the owner, by the way."

I try to interrupt but he silences me with his finger and angry glare.

"I am not done yet. And like this wasn't enough, my said girlfriend throws in my face my past "relationships" when she clearly knows how I feel about her and how much our relationship means to me. So, Jessica. You tell me how I feel."

"First of all, sorry if my reaction made you look bad in front of the people that come to your club, that wasn't my intention. But I'm not sorry for yelling at those women, because if you admit it or not, they were all over you, and you wouldn't tolerate it if the situation was reversed. Am I right?"