Jessa arrived at the bar a little later than she’d planned.
She would’ve been here much earlier if it hadn’t been for the unfortunate incident she had while cleaning out the food truck after hours. That one little accident had left her covered in oil from head to toe, leaving her no choice but to ride her bicycle home to change out of her grease-stained shirt and to take a quick shower. It was her own fault though. That was what she got for not keeping her apron on while cleaning out the food truck.
Oh well. Stuff happens. It didn’t matter anymore now that she was finally at Bottoms Up. And she really wasn’t all that late. Just by an hour or so. Actually, it was only nine o’clock, which—as far as bar standards went—was still pretty early for her to arrive.
From the look of things, there was a pretty good crowd already inside, but the place wasn’t so packed that she couldn’t move around freely. But give it another hour or two and the bar would probably be standing room only.
She’d never actually been inside the bar while it was open at night. Only during the day when the place was closed and there was no one else there except for Valerie or Logan. But they’d told her how much effort they’d put into keeping their regular customers happy and how busy their bar usually was.
Jessa was glad to hear it. She wanted Logan and Valerie’s business to continue to do well. They clearly both worked very hard together and deserved every bit of success they achieved.
Gazing around the room, she didn’t see Max anywhere. But while looking for him, she spotted Leah and Valerie sitting together at the end of the bar. They must’ve been there for a while since both women had an empty shot glass in front of them and had nearly finished their bright blue, fruity-looking cocktails. Whatever those were.
Jessa headed directly for them, hoping one of the girls would know whether Max had arrived yet. But as she approached from behind them, she overheard Valerie say, “Were you as surprised as I was about Max and Jessa? I mean, about them being a couple.”
Jessa froze in place, not sure if she wanted to hear whatever they were talking about. It didn’t sound good.
Leah nodded. “God, yes. She’s not at all the type of woman Max usually goes for.”
Yep, just like I thought, definitely not good.
“I know. I was thinking the same thing,” Valerie agreed. “She’s beautiful though and such a sweet girl. I can totally see why he’s smitten with her.”
“Same here. I think she’s adorable.”
Jessa’s brows furrowed at that, and she cleared her throat. Once both women spun around looking at her with surprise lighting their eyes, Jessa crossed her arms. “Okay, what the hell? If you both like me and think I’m beautiful and sweet and adorable, then why wouldn’t I be Max’s type?”
Valerie winced. “I’m so sorry, Jess. I hope you didn’t think we were talking bad about you. We weren’t, I swear.”
Leah nodded in agreement. “We were just surprised about you and Max being together. That’s what we were talking about.”
“I gathered that much already. And just for the record, I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping on your conversation. I was coming over to say hi. But I still don’t understand why you two think Max wouldn’t go for someone like me. What type of woman does he usually go for?”
Leah’s eyes shifted to Valerie, who was cringing. But finally she said, “The last thing I want to do is offend you, Jess, so please don’t take this to mean anything toward you personally. It’s just that…well, when it comes to women, Max has always preferred a certain…er, body type over others in the past.”
Jessa wasn’t an idiot. She knew exactly what Valerie way saying. “You mean he’s only ever dated slender women.”
Though it wasn’t posed as a question, Leah answered it anyway. “Yes. That probably sounds odd to you since you’re in a relationship with him, but we’ve just never seen him dating a woman who actually has meat on her bones before.”
“And why’s that?”
Valerie shrugged. “We don’t know. Although, to be honest, I’m not sure what you could call whatever he does with those ladies dating. Max hasn’t been in a serious relationship for as long as I’ve known him.”
“Sam has been friends with him a lot longer than we have,” Leah admitted. “Years actually. But even he says that Max only associates with women who are the size of a fashion runway model.”
“But he associates with the two of you,” Jessa said without thinking. Then she sucked in a breath and covered her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that quite the way it came out. I think both of you are beautiful women. I just meant—”
Valerie laughed and held up her hand. “It’s okay, Jess. We’re not at all offended. I think I can speak for both of us when I say that Leah and I know we don’t look like fashion models. At least not the skinny ones.” She winked. “But I think what Leah meant was that Max is associating with those women in more of a romantic aspect.”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”
“Not really,” Leah said, shaking her head. “I mean, why would any guy date a woman based solely on what size she is? It’s kind of stupid when you think about it. Yet, it happens all the time.”
“True,” Valerie said, nodding. “But there’re also guys out there that don’t judge a woman on her hip size. We both know that. Just look at Sam and Logan.”
“And Max,” Jessa said, feeling the need to defend him. “I mean, I get what you two are saying about the women he’s dated in the past, but he’s never once made me feel like my body was something to be ashamed of.”
Leah smiled. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
“Me too,” Valerie agreed. “Especially since I’d always wondered about the first night I met him in Rusty’s Bucket. I mean, he was good looking and all. I just wasn’t interested in him because I was still hung up on Logan. But knowing that Max wasn’t interested in me either, I couldn’t help but always wonder if it had something to do with my weight.”
“Did he ever say something to that effect?” Jessa asked.
“Oh no. Of course not,” Val said, shaking her head. “Max would never purposely make any woman feel bad about herself. I know that much about him. He’s a good guy. We just always thought he favored one body type over another. Guess we were wrong about that.”
“Apparently,” Jessa said with a grin.
Valerie nodded. “Well, it’s not the first time I’ve been wrong about something, and I’m sure it won’t be the last,” she said, smiling back. “Okay, enough of this heavy stuff. We’re supposed to be having fun. I’m going to refresh our drinks. Jess, what are you having?”
She plopped down in the seat next to Valerie’s. “A martini, please.”
Valerie rose and moved around the counter to the other side, grabbing a martini glass to make the drink. “Do you want it dirty?”
“It’s the only way I like it,” Jessa said with a quick wink.
Leah laughed. “I think we just figured out why Max is all over you.”
Jessa giggled but shook her head. “He’s not all over me.”
Valerie continued making their drinks on the other side of the wooden counter but glanced up. “You’re kidding, right? After that kiss he laid on you in the bakery this morning? Clearly, the guy is crazy about you. And he should be. You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” Jessa said, her cheeks heating. “I think you’re both lovely ladies as well.”
“Thanks. That means a lot,” Leah said, a genuine smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “I have to say, it’s refreshing to be in a group of women who are so kind and supportive of one another.”
“Well, why wouldn’t we be?”
Valerie slid a dirty martini toward Jessa. “Sadly, not all women are like that. There are some that are just downright catty and will judge another woman based on her size. Men do it too, but I think it sometimes hurts more coming from another female. Especially when they’re related to you.” Her eyes drifted to Leah.
Leah nodded. “I know that’s true from my own personal experience.” She glanced over at Jessa. “You probably don’t know this about me, Jess, but I grew up with a mother who always had something negative to say about me, and her comments were usually centered around my weight.”
“Oh, Leah, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry to hear it.”
She shrugged as Valerie handed her another blue cocktail in a tall, curvy glass. “It’s okay. My mom finally realized how damaging and hurtful her words could be and she put a stop to it. Our relationship has actually never been better than it is right now.”
“That’s wonderful.” Jessa reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I’m so glad for you. I was always really close to my mom, so I feel bad any time I hear someone say they have a strained relationship with theirs.”
“Does your mom live close?”
A familiar pain stabbed Jessa in the heart, the same one that happened any time she was asked about her mother. “No. She…um, died from cancer a few years ago.”
It was Leah’s turn to squeeze Jessa’s hand. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
Before Jessa could respond, Valerie stepped up from behind her and rubbed her shoulder lightly. “Me too.” She slid onto her stool between Jessa and Leah.
“Thanks,” Jessa said, feeling the sharp prick of tears at the back of her eyes. Not wanting to sit there feeling sorry for the rest of the evening, she blinked them away, cleared her throat, and changed the subject. “So where are the guys? Are they not here yet?”
“They’re here,” Valerie said. “They were playing pool in the back of the room, but I’m not sure where they ran off to now. Maybe to Logan’s office. Who knows? I’m sure they’ll come find us soon.”
Ten minutes later, the women were sharing funny stories and giggling over them when a warm sensation caressed the back of Jessa’s neck. Slowly, she turned and looked around, her gaze falling on Max standing on the other side of the room. She’d felt him watching her. He hadn’t touched her physically, but his eyes pierced into her with an intensity that stole her breath and made her knees wobble.
His eyes lowered, trailing over her cleavage as he licked his lips and probed her body with an invisible touch all the way down to her curling toes. The blatant, unchecked hunger in his eyes had her heart skipping a beat and her thighs quivering. She’d never been with a guy before who could do so many dirty things to her with just his eyes.
At least not until Max.
But after what Valerie and Leah had told her, it only made her wonder why he was even attracted to her. Not that she wasn’t cute or anything. If you asked her, she was adorable and had a great personality. She was at peace with her size, content with the way she looked, and in general felt great about her curvy body. Always had.
Maybe she didn’t have a gap between her thighs and her stomach was bigger than what society deemed acceptable, but that didn’t make her any less of a woman. A gal like her with a thicker waistline could be just as fun, lovable, and as sexy as the rest of them.
And since Jessa liked to think of herself as all of those things, it clearly wasn’t her overall attractiveness that was in question here. No matter what Leah and Valerie had told her, there was definitely a smoldering interest pulsing off of Max from across the room.
Maybe in the past he had only dated thin women. But Jessa had no doubt that he was indeed attracted to her fuller figure…if the way he was looking at her right now was any indication.
* * *
Max was an idiot.
He couldn’t believe he’d pulled his friends into this whole mess. Not because they were still irritated that they were having to lie for him, even if it was just for one night. They would eventually get over that. But it was because he genuinely wanted everything to work out between him and Jessa in the end. And he didn’t think it would.
That bit of knowledge sent a dull ache spiraling through his chest and had been detrimental to his mood all night long. Damn it. He had a strong feeling that the moment he told her the truth, he was going to lose her for good. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it from happening.
“You fellas ready for another round?” Logan asked.
“I’m good,” Sam told him.
Max downed the one he had. “I’ll take another.”
“Okay,” Logan said, nodding. “But that will be your third one in half an hour. Slow down or I’m going to have to cut you off.”
Max rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Dad.”
Sam gripped him by the shoulder. “Stop looking so glum about tomorrow. Just think of it like this. Once you tell Jessa the truth, it’ll be over.”
“Yeah, that’s the problem.”
“I didn’t mean the two of you would be over,” Sam said, correcting himself. “I just meant you wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore. Either way, all this moping around you’re doing isn’t helping matters any.”
Turmoil continued to swish inside his veins. “Maybe. But you try to come up with a way to tell Leah that you’ve been lying to her since you first met, and let’s see how you feel about how well she might take the news. Then we’ll talk.”
Logan had just finished giving the waitress their order. “Max, you know this is all your own fault. If you hadn’t lied to her to begin with, then there would be nothing for you to have to come clean about.”
Max rolled his eyes, his hand fisting tightly around his beer. “Thanks for pointing out the obvious,” he growled, his low, rough tone scraping against his vocal cords. “You think I haven’t thought of that already?”
“Hey, chill out, buddy.” Sam pointed his beer bottle at Max. “We’re here to have a good time tonight, and you’re starting to drag me down with you. Just relax already.”
“Sorry. I’m just wound up extra tight tonight and being overly dramatic.”
Sam nodded. “No kidding. But look, I’m sure when you finally tell Jessa the truth tomorrow, she’s not going to be very impressed with you lying to her. And chances are good that she’ll be upset. But I know you, Max. If you want the girl, you’ll get her. You just might have to prove yourself trustworthy before you get back into her good graces. That’ll take time, but you can do it.”
Sam was right about one thing. It would take him time to get back on her good side after lying to her from the beginning. But thankfully, it wasn’t like there was another guy in the picture. He’d have time to win her over, wouldn’t he?
Max glanced across the room where Jessa was sitting with the other women, and his eyes snagged on a young guy standing next to her. “What the hell?”
The big man had his hand on her back and was smirking while leaning over her, as if he were going to whisper something in her ear. And she looked to be leaning back as if she couldn’t get far enough away from him. The bastard. Even though he didn’t seem to be doing anything other than talking to her, it didn’t matter. Either way, Max’s assessment of the situation wasn’t good. Because no matter what happened tomorrow, Jessa was his and he didn’t like this guy—or any guy, really—hitting on his woman.
Call him territorial or insanely jealous or whatever the hell else you’d like, but he wasn’t going to let some guy move in on her when he was about to tell her something that was going to stall their relationship, if not send it in reverse altogether. He couldn’t lose her, and he wasn’t just going to stand by and let it happen.
Without warning, Max leaped out of his chair and headed across the room with Logan and Sam scrambling after him. It was entirely possible that she didn’t need saving from this random guy, but Max was going to make damn sure of it.
The moment he showed up at her side, Jessa’s eyes fell on him. “Oh. Uh, there you are,” she said, smiling at him before cutting her eyes to the big man standing beside her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, honey.”
The fact that she felt the need to cut her eyes at the dude standing next to her and then made sure to call Max a term of endearment she’d never used with him before said a whole lot about this guy’s questionable motives and her comfort level.
“Well, I’m here now.” His voice lowered. “Who’s your friend?” Max made sure his tone was just sour enough to give the guy a hint that he wasn’t welcome. An obvious one.
“Um, this is Eric. We just met so we’re not really friends yet. More like acquaintances,” Jessa said politely, as if she were trying to minimize their association.
“I don’t mind if you consider me your friend,” Eric said to her with a wink.
Maybe it was the alcohol talking or the pissed-off male inside of Max that was claiming what was rightfully his, but he wedged himself between her and the clown vying for her attention and puffed out his chest. “Well, I mind.”
“Max,” Sam said from behind him. “Be cool.”
Eric lifted one brow. “You got a problem with me, buddy?”
“Yeah, I do.”
The big guy shook his head. “Might want to watch yourself.”
“Or what?”
“Don’t make me knock you on your ass in front of your woman. It won’t end well for you.”
Max snorted. Hell, he had always been the type to go to the extremes. Besides, he wanted the guy to hit him. Someone needed to knock some fucking sense into him. “I’d like to see you try it, dickhead.”
Without hesitation, the guy reared back and punched Max in the right eye, knocking him back against the bar. Pain exploded in his face, but almost instantly, Max lunged back up and launched himself at the man. Unfortunately, he didn’t succeed in grabbing him before Logan interfered by blocking his path with his body.
Max shoved him. “Move.”
Logan stumbled back a little but corrected himself quickly. “No. That’s the end of it. Fight’s over.”
“The hell it is. It’s just getting started.”
Logan continued to stand in the way, acting as the buffer. “No, like I said, it’s over.”
“Why? Because you say so?”
“No. It’s because you know damn well that you deserved that punch as much as you were asking for it. I only regret that I didn’t throw it myself.”
Seemingly unimpressed with his overabundance of testosterone, Jessa said, “Max, let’s just go. I’ll drive you home.”
It was a smart idea, considering that he was losing his ever-loving mind over the thought of this being his last night with her. “Fine,” he said, turning toward the exit.
Jessa started to move, but Logan held up one hand. “Jess, if you don’t feel comfortable leaving with him, I’ll take him home or call him a taxi. I don’t want you to put yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in by—”
“Logan,” Sam interrupted evenly, “Max wouldn’t do anything to hurt a woman. Any woman. I’d bet my life on that.”
“I wasn’t saying that,” Logan replied. “I was just making sure she was okay with leaving with him. He’s a bit of a loose cannon right now, and you know it.”
Jessa shook her head at Logan. “It’s fine, Logan. Thank you for your concern, but I’m perfectly okay with leaving with him. Max would never hurt me.” She turned away to grab her keys from the counter.
Logan snorted and mumbled under his breath, “Yeah, right. Don’t be too certain of that.” Thankfully, Jessa hadn’t heard him.
But Max sure did. If anyone deserved to be punched in the face right now, then that person was Logan. But instead of throwing that punch, Max decided to seek refuge from all the madness surrounding him at the moment. “Let’s go, Jess,” he said, heading toward the door.
She managed to follow him through the crowd without Logan trying to stop her from leaving. Otherwise, there would’ve been a fight all right. And there was enough tension flowing between Logan and Max right now that it would’ve been a good one.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t change the one thing that was bothering Max the most. He had fallen hard and fast for Jessa over the past few weeks, and he only had tonight to convince her how good they were together.
Otherwise, come tomorrow, he was screwed.